Uzbekistan - Uzbekistán

Introduction Uzbekistan, officially the Republic of Uzbekistan (in Uzbek: O‘zbekiston Respublikasi) is a country of Central Asia. It is bordered to the northwest and north with Kazakhstan, to the south with Afghanistan, northeast with Kyrgyzstan, to the southeast with Tajikistan and southwest with Turkmenistan. In the heart of the Silk Road, Uzbekistan stands out for ancient cities such as Samarkand Y Khiva. The Aral Sea, located in the north of the country, has reduced its size in recent decades, destroying a large part of the nearby ecosystems.

Capital Tashkent Idiom Uzbek Surface 447,400 km² Population 29 394 000 (2011) Currency som Time zone UTC 5 Telephone prefix 998

Context

Located in the heart of Central Asia, Uzbekistan is a young country. Arisen after the break of the Soviet Union, Uzbekistan declared its independence in September 1991 and has carried out a process of building its national identity in recent decades. However, this does not mean that Uzbekistan is without history: its strategic location made it a must for the caravans that traded between Europe and Asia throughout the so-called Silk Road during Mongol rule. Splendid cities like Samarkand Y Khiva They emerged to welcome merchants, who filled their streets with items brought from all over the world. The disintegration of the Mongol empire and the emergence of alternative naval routes starting in the 15th century decreased traffic through the Central Asian steppes, leading to a decline in the importance of the region.

An Uzbek family in Karakalpakia.

Most of the population (about 80%) is ethnic Uzbek, a people of Mongolian origin who adopted a Turkic language similar to Turkish and Azeri. Uzbeks also live in the border areas of Afghanistan and Tajikistan. Within Uzbekistan, the second majority are ethnic Russians; Although during the Soviet era they formed about 15% of the population, after the dissolution many emigrated to the Russian Federation and now they only represent 5% of the population. The third largest minority in the country (4.7%) corresponds to ethnic Koreans, the result of the deportation of nearly 200,000 Soviet Koreans to the country in the 1930s.^[1]. Other important minorities are the Tajiks, Kazakhs and Kyrgyz, as well as the Karakalpacos who live in the west of the country. More than 97% of the population of Uzbekistan is Sunni Muslim, although in general much more liberal than other nearby countries as a result of the influence of the state atheism of the Soviet Union.

Today, Uzbekistan has progressively developed its economy after the post-Soviet crisis. Uzbekistan has great natural resources (especially gold and natural gas) that have made it possible to improve the quality of life of its inhabitants and expand networks with the rest of the world. Tourism, however, remains extremely limited. Tourists who come to Uzbekistan visit it mainly to learn about the architectural remains of the glorious past of the Silk Road and to get closer to the Uzbek culture, although there is also a significant percentage of people who come for adventure tourism in the mountainous areas of the country. .

History

The region that today corresponds to Uzbekistan was under Persian influence for several centuries. As the silk industry in China grew, the Persians opened new trade routes throughout Uzbekistan to enhance the transfer of goods, for which they founded some cities such as Samarkand, Bukhara Y Khiva. The regions of Sogdiana and Bactria were temporarily subdued by the Hellenic armies of Alexander the Great, to then give way to some kingdoms of Greek influence that survived until approximately the fourth century. The Parthian and Sassanid empires, both of Persian origin, conquered the region known as Transoxania, to later give way to Turkish and Arab domination. Arab domination allowed an expansion of culture and science in the region, in addition to the dominance of Islam that continues to this day in the region.

New tribes imposed their dominion in the region. After the dynasties of Turkish origin that conquered the area (Mamluks and Seljuks), a brief empire was established in Khorasmia, south of the Aral Sea, which was overcome by the troops of Genghis Khan early 13th century. The Mongol invasion established a hegemony that would last for centuries and that would increase the Turkification of the region, since most of the Mongol troops were of Turkish origin. After the death of Genghis Khan and some successors, the Mongol Empire began to fracture and Tamerlane He managed to impose his rule over the Central Asian region around the year 1380. Tamerlane summoned thousands of artists, artisans, sages and scientists from all corners of the empire to Samarkand, which was revitalized and turned into a cultural center of great relevance.

Mohammed Alim Khan, the last Emir of Bukhara in 1911.

The death of Tamerlane started a period of chaos that allowed the invasion of the Uzbeks, nomads from the north of the Aral Sea. The fall of Constantinople to the Ottomans forced Europe to seek new trade routes to the East, reducing the relevance of Central Asia and the end of the Silk Road. This, added to the conflict that the Uzbek kingdoms of Bukhara and Khorasmia had with Iran, led to the isolation and weakening of the region. Towards the 18th century, Russian merchants began to expand the influence of their empire into Central Asia, and the main cities of present-day Uzbekistan were conquered in the mid-19th century.

Behind the Russian Revolution, the entire Turkestan region became part of the Soviet Union and in 1924 the Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic was created. The Soviet government would remain in power until 1991, when the dissolution of the union led to the declaration of independence. Islam KarimovA former communist, he was the winner of the first elections held in 1995 and has remained in power since that date. Although officially there is a plurality of parties, there is a strong dominance of the State and the elections do not meet democratic standards.

Geography

View of the Aral Sea in 1989 and 2008.

The Ustjurt plateau, in the west of the country.

The Bog-i Ston valley, near Tashkent.

Uzbekistan is at the epicenter of the Central Asian region, on a plateau between the rivers Sir Daria Y Amu daria. It has an extension from east to west of about 1,425 km and from north to south of 930 km, with an area that reaches 447,900 km².

The country does not have access to the sea and most of its rivers are endorheic in nature (they do not flow into the sea). The terrain is eminently arid, with some desert regions to the north and west, including the Qizilqum desert. In order to overcome this aridity and expand cotton crops (the main economic resource), many rivers have been diverted to increase the fertility of some areas. This has caused ecological chaos that has expanded the desertification of areas that no longer receive sufficient irrigation. This is very pronounced in the western part of the country, which corresponds to the autonomous region of Karakalpakia, where he Aral Sea (once the second largest lake in the world) has completely dried up.

To the east of the country, the terrain becomes mountainous, marking the border with the neighboring republics of Kyrgyzstan Y Tajikistan. Between these mountains are fertile valleys, highlighting the Ferganá valley.

Weather

Uzbekistan's climate is extreme continental. Although it is possible to visit the country at any time of the year, it is advisable to do it in spring (March to early July) or in the fall (from September to November).

The average temperature in winter varies between 10 ° C and -8 ° C. Spring is beautiful and short; after the Persian New Year (the Nowruz), the temperature rises rapidly and by the end of April you can already wear summer clothes. In April, the temperature can vary between 20 ° C and 25 ° C.

Summer in Uzbekistan is long, dry and hot, with temperatures ranging from 35 ° C to 45 ° C. The maximum heat is usually reached in the period between June 25 and August 5, which is known as chillya (Canicula). During this period, hot and dry winds blow, which, added to the lack of rainfall, cause the temperature to reach 45 ° C in the shade, being even higher in some regions of the country. After the chillya, the heat goes down little by little and this is when the most pleasant weather arrives, when it is still quite hot during the day, but in the afternoon and at night it is already cooler. Autumn in Uzbekistan is pleasant, warm and generous. Until the end of November the temperature does not drop below 10 ° C.

Regions

Map of Uzbekistan and its tourist regions:      North Region     Silk Road     Southern region     Central region     Ferganá Valley

North Region
	Karakalpakia Khiva Northern Uzbekistan is characterized by its arid plains, partly covered by the Qizilqum desert. The disappearance of the Aral Sea has turned fertile valleys into dry plains, and the ghost town of Moynoq and its buried ships allow us to measure the ecological impact suffered. To the south, it is Khiva, the ancient capital of the Corasmia region.
Silk Road
	Samarkand Bukhara The old route that linked Europe with East Asia crossed Uzbekistan, leaving behind magnificent cities. Samarkand, the capital of the Mongol Empire of Tamerlane, still stands out for its blue minarets and fantastic craftsmen. A little further west Bukhara It is an open-air museum, with more than 140 monuments that are part of the World Heritage Site.
Southern region
	Shahrisabz Termez Away from the old trade routes, southern Uzbekistan is characterized by mountainous areas formed by lower foothills of the Pamir mountains. Part of ancient Bactria, today it is dominated by the Tajik ethnic group, who live in cities such as Shahrisabz, Tamerlán's birthplace and seat of several of its palaces.
Central region
	Tashkent Although it did not develop much during the Mongolian era, Tashkent became an important commercial center in the mid-19th century and began its boom during Russian rule. In today's Uzbek capital, madrasas and bazaars are mixed with Orthodox cathedrals, Soviet-style buildings and a growing number of modern buildings. Multiple museums can be found in the city, in addition to spaces for opera and ballet. To the north is the ski center of Chimgan.
Ferganá Valley
	Fergana Kokand Namangan The most fertile region of Central Asia, it is a particularly unstable region where ethnic Uzbeks, Tajik and Kyrgyz converge a few kilometers away. Namangan, the second largest city in the country, has beautiful madrasas, while Kokand It is famous for the palace of the Khan who ruled much of eastern Central Asia until 1876.

To get

An Uzbek passport with the stamps of entry and exit of the country (in red).

Entry procedures

Before visiting Uzbekistan, make sure you have the necessary documentation to enter the country. Citizens of only 9 countries have free visa-free access for up to 90 days: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan (60 days), Moldova, Russia Y Ukraine. For the rest of the citizens, the entry process is complex, highly bureaucratic and even somewhat expensive, but not impossible to solve. The rules usually change from one moment to the next, so it is recommended that you consult the details directly with a travel agency or with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs itself. Some agencies can even handle the entire visa process themselves for you.

Initially, you must apply for your visa initially through the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. After completing the form, you should go to the nearest Uzbek embassy. It is important to note that Uzbekistan does not have embassies in Latin America, the closest missions being the embassy in Washington dc and the consulate in New York; The country does have several embassies in Europe, including one in Madrid. Along with two copies of the online form, you must bring two recent passport photographs and a photocopy of your complete passport (see detailed requirements here). For most cases, it is highly recommended (if not required) to present an invitation letter, which can be obtained relatively easily through a travel agency or by booking a hotel for more than three days. At the beginning of 2015, the citizens of Germany, Austria, Belgium, Spain, France, Italy, Latvia, Japan, Malaysia, the United Kingdom Y Swiss They did not need to present this letter.

Visa costs vary depending on the number of days of validity (although they are rarely issued for more than 30 days) and the number of possible re-entries. It is possible to obtain transit visas for up to 72 hours, but it is necessary to have a visa from a neighboring country. It is also possible to extend the visa once inside Uzbekistan, for which one must go to the office designated for it at the Tashkent airport. Usually the extension does not exceed a week, so to stay more days, it is usually more expeditious to go to a neighboring country (such as Kazakhstan or Kyrgyzstan) and request a new visa.

It is important to note that once in Uzbekistan, you must register with the authorities within the first 3 days of your stay. If you are in a recognized hotel, this procedure is often carried out by those in charge of the enclosure, but if you are in a house, this procedure can be extremely bureaucratic.

By plane

An Uzbekistan Airlines plane, landing at Domodedovo airport, Moscow.

There are several airports throughout Uzbekistan, many of which have international services to various locations in Russia (mainly, Moscow Y St. Petersburg). However, the most recommended is to go directly to the Tashkent International Airport (TAS), the main gateway to the country and the one that receives the greatest frequency and variety of airlines. Although the service is quite slow and unfriendly, the airport infrastructure is relatively modern and comfortable.

Uzbekistan Airlines, the national air line, has frequent services to Tashkent from several cities in Europe (highlighting Istanbul, Frankfurt, Geneva, London, Milan, Paris, Riga Y Rome), Asia (Bangkok, Beijing, Delhi, Dubai, Seoul, Singapore Y Tokyo, among others), in addition to cities of the former Soviet Union (such as Almaty, Astana, Baku, Bishkek, Kiev, Moscow or St. Petersburg) and the only flight to America, which arrives at New York. To these are added services of other international airlines that arrive in Tashkent from its main hubs, like the russian Aeroflot, the South Koreans Asiana Y Korean Air, China Southern Airlines and the turk Turkish airlines.

Taking into consideration the frequency of flights and possible tourist routes, it is best to leave for Uzbekistan from Moscow or a nearby Soviet republic.

By train

Tashkent train station, destination of the main national and international rail services.

One option to enter Uzbekistan is using the rail service that connects Tashkent with various locations in Russia and Kazakhstan, reaching Moscow. Train 6 Uzbekistan It departs four times a week (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday at 10:48 PM), arriving in Tashkent at 5:33 PM three days later. Ask about the need to have multiple entry visas to Russia and Kazakhstan to make this trip. The train has three classes and the values ​​vary between the  22 000 Y  45 000.

There are some irregular train services between Almaty and Tashkent; ask at the city's train station about it. In some cases, it is possible to carry out the service from Almaty to Arys and then connect with the train that goes to Uzbekistan.

By car

There are several routes that connect Uzbekistan with its neighbors by land. From Kazakhstan, the most used is the one that joins Shymkent with Tashkent; it is possible to travel by bus or marshrutka (shared taxi) from Shymkent to the border for less than $ 5 and from there, take a taxi across the border crossing to the Uzbek capital for a few UZS 6000. This step, open from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., is quite slow so it will probably take several hours to complete the entrance procedures. There is an alternative passage, in the western section of the country, that allows to connect the region of Karakalpakia with Beyneu and the Caspian Sea; this passage, both for cars and trains, is quite little used due to the long distances that it involves crossing the desert.

From Kyrgyzstan, the passage is much easier in the eastern sector. The Kyrgyz cities of Osh Y Jalal-Abad They are a few kilometers from the border, so there are multiple urban transport services (buses, minibuses and taxis) that lead to the border crossings. From there, it is convenient to cross the pass and take a taxi to the Uzbek city of Andijan to continue the tour of the rest of the country. If you are in the Kyrgyz capital, Bishkek, the buses cross to Kazakhstan until reaching Shymkent, where you must continue the directions explained above.

The Friendship Bridge that allows crossing to Uzbekistan from Afghanistan.

From the southeast, it is possible to enter from Tajikistan. From Khojand, it is possible to get by buses or shared taxis to the city of Bostan and from there to the Oybek pass for less than $ 10. After crossing the pass, it is possible to take bus services or marshrutka to Tashkent, which takes less than 90 minutes. Yes it's in Dushambe, the most recommended is to travel north to Penjikent, and then cross the border and reach Samarkand, for a few dollars. Another alternative is to take a taxi from Dushambe to the Denau Pass, if your destination is the city of Termiz, on the southern border.

Finally, it is possible to travel to Termiz also from Afghanistan. The starting point of the route is usually Mazar e-Sharif, from where you can take a taxi for about $ 10 to the Friendship Bridge, which crosses the Amur Darya River and serves as a natural border. From there, the trip to Termiz does not exceed 20 minutes in a shared taxi and costs about UZS 200. However, keep in mind that the border crossing with Afghanistan is usually closed by Uzbekistan for security reasons, so check the situation before planning your trip.

Travel

The Afrosiyob, high-speed train between Tashkent and Samarkand.

Uzbekistan has a wide network of airports, the most important of which are Tashkent (TAS), Samarkand (SKD), Bukhara (BHK), Navoy (NVI), Urgench (URG) and Fergana (FEG). Uzbekistan Airlines covers most of the routes between the capital and the other airports in the country. As always, the plane is the fastest means of transport, but also the most expensive.

More than 6020 km of railroad are distributed throughout the country. The train is a fairly inexpensive option to visit the main cities of the country and, as it has bunks, it is very comfortable to travel at night along the longest journeys. The journey between Tashkent and Samarkand is covered by a high-speed service launched in 2011, which allows travel between the two cities in less than two hours. However, for the rest of the destinations the times are not so favorable: a trip from the capital to Urgench in the east (near Khiva) can take up to 23 hours.

Some roads in Uzbekistan are often in poor condition, as this route to Bukhara.

Although buses are much less comfortable than the train, their services are more extensive and reach all corners of the country. Complementing the bus lines, it is very common to take shared taxi services, called marshrutka, which reach several towns or villages. Before taking a marshrutka, you must negotiate the price with the driver. To avoid that the surcharge you receive for being a tourist is not so high, find out in advance the values ​​that locals normally pay; You will probably never be able to haggle until you reach that value, but it will be better than the original price that you are likely to be offered. If possible, take advantage of the passenger seat, which is much more comfortable than the rear ones, especially if you are traveling through the desert with very high temperatures.

The routes in Uzbekistan, although they have improved in recent times, in many cases are usually a slightly marked track and not in good condition, so avoid venturing yourself and take advantage of the experience of the locals, either with a local guide. area or taking taxi services.

Talk

The Uzbek It is the official language of the country and the most used. This language, belonging to the same linguistic family as Turkish and Azeri, is currently written using the Latin alphabet, although in the past the Arabic and Cyrillic script have also been used. The Latin alphabet was officially reestablished in 1993, replacing the Cyrillic, mandatory during the Soviet Union; However, it was only in 2005 that it began to be taught in schools, so there are still many signs and signs in Cyrillic.

The Russian language it is understood by a large part of the population. Although after independence its use was discouraged as a way to enhance the national language (and identity), today it is still used as a cultured language, especially for scientific and academic use. It is also used as a form of intercultural communication between the different ethnic groups that inhabit the country. Russian is more common to hear in the main cities and in some sectors of the northern area, bordering Kazakhstan.

Due to the large number of ethnic Tajik people, it is possible to hear normally His tongue (similar to Persian or Farsi) in major tourist cities in Uzbekistan, such as Samarkand Y Bukhara. Karakalpako is spoken in Karakalpakia, similar to Kazakh. The use of English is low, although growing in some tourist sectors.

To buy

A 5000 som bill.

The official currency of the country is som uzbek (UZS). Inflation has been an endemic problem in the country and the government avoids recognizing this situation by creating larger denomination bills and coins. It is common to see 25, 50 and 100 coins circulating, as well as 200, 500, 1000 and 5000 som bills, so be prepared to have large wads of bills during your trip.

At the beginning of 2015, the currency conversion was at 2500 UZS for 1 US dollar, while on the black market the values ​​can be about 50% more favorable. Although it is easy to find places where you can change, such as the bazaars or even in your own hotel if you inquire, be careful: there is always the danger of being discovered or scammed when trying to change. If you want to change safely, you can go to offices of the National Bank or other exchange centers, although you will receive the change at the little convenient official rate. Due to the exchange situation, it is most convenient to enter the country with foreign currencies, especially dollars but also rubles or euros. When entering the country, you must declare the amount of foreign currency entered; keep a copy to make sure you have less currency when you leave than you entered and avoid any problems with customs. Also keep a copy of any foreign exchange transaction.

A carpet and tapestry store in Bukhara.

Although there are several ATMs, many do not work due to lack of money, so to avoid problems it is important that you bring enough cash. International credit cards, such as MasterCard and Visa, are accepted in a few stores in the capital. Handle a reasonable amount of dollars in low denominations to pay for services like taxis, especially as soon as you arrive in the country.

Among the most widespread products that you can buy as a souvenir of your visit to Uzbekistan are carpets, embroidered cloths, tablecloths, dresses, hats, silk fabrics, goldsmiths, pottery and musical instruments. In the bazaars you can find handmade or not handmade carpets, wool or silk, with natural colors ... endless varieties! The tradition of rugs dates back to the time of the Silk Road and it is in Bukhara that you will probably find the greatest variety of products. As in other corners of Central Asia, spices and aromas are another star product of the bazaars and that you can buy during your visit.

Uzbekistan is rich in minerals, including silver and gold, so you can buy a wide variety of jewelry, sometimes with precious or semi-precious stones such as lapis lazuli. Beware of fakes!

Apart from the bazaars, there are multiple stores in the main cities, both specialized in souvenirs and department stores with a huge variety of products. There are also small stalls scattered around the city. In Tashkent, Khamza Street, behind Timur Square, is lined with stalls of all kinds where you will find articles of all kinds.

To eat

The plov It is the national dish of Uzbekistan.

Uzbek food is rich and varied, and it highlights the plov as the central dish of said cuisine. Similar to the Valencian paella, it is a simple dish and is traditionally cooked in large, deep pans. The main component is rice, which is accompanied by beef, raisins, carrots, onion, garlic and exotic spices. It is also sold on the street, near the bazaars and in other places that are found when walking through the cities. It is always accompanied with a salad of tomatoes, onion and some condiments such as fennel, seasoned only with vinegar. Its popularity extends to all classes being used in weddings, banquets and other types of celebrations.

Bread is also a food of great significance to the Uzbek people. Some legends and rules revolve around it that make it almost a sacred product. The loaves (being the obi non the most representative) are bright, circular, crunchy and have an excellent flavor. They are made with wheat flour, some spices and have semolina seeds sprinkled on their surface. It is cooked in ovens (tandyr) shaped like a cone with a small hole at the top, placing the bread on the inside walls until it is ready.

Other featured dishes are:

• Samsa: dumplings of different shapes (round, square, triangle), made in puff pastry and filled with meat, potatoes, pumpkin or fresh spring vegetables, cooked in tandyr.
• Shurpa: soup with lamb meat and vegetables.
• Nahud: large chickpeas from Central Asia, stewed with lamb meat.
• Manty: steamed dumplings, made of unleavened dough and filled with minced meat or pumpkin, lamb fat and onion, as well as traditional Uzbek spices: zira (cumin) and black pepper

Drink and go out

Tea house in Kokand.

The national drink is tea, of which there are two varieties: black and green. None of them are produced in Uzbekistan, but their popularity is so great that they take it at all hours. Tea helps a lot to alleviate thirst and the sensation of heat, especially harsh during the high temperatures of the summer. On the other hand, vodka, cognac and champagne are the most typical within the group of spirits.

Tashkent is the city with the best nightlife in all of Central Asia. It is a cosmopolitan city with a great variety of entertainment. There are many nightlife venues scattered around the city, offering different types of entertainment or music. The most famous venues offer Russian and Western music. The inhabitants of the city also like leisure and going out, especially in the summer season where they fill the terraces with cafes and restaurants. Many of the nightlife venues stay open well into the early hours of the morning.

Something that must be taken into account is that the consumption of drinks with more than 1.5% alcohol in the street, parks or public places is completely prohibited. In 2012, a law was introduced that regulated the consumption of alcoholic beverages only in bars, pubs, restaurants, cafes and private homes, making it totally forbidden to consume on public roads.

Sleep

In Uzbekistan there is an extensive and growing hotel and quality network. Being a country that has been open to international tourism for some years now, most of the establishments are new and with good facilities and have been strategically installed following the silk tourist route. Booking hotels usually does not present any problems and it is even possible to go without a reservation and look for the hotel on site, although you should bear in mind that this will make it more difficult to obtain the reservation. Letter of Invitation necessary to enter the country.

In Tashkent, being the city most required by both tourists and business travelers, it is advisable to book accommodation in advance, since this way it can be cheaper. In the capital, hotel prices do not differ much from what you would find in a European hotel. Once outside the capital, the price of accommodation drops and the option of avoiding booking in advance and having more freedom on the trip increases.

An interesting alternative when touring the interior of the country is to sleep in a field of yurts. Many of these camps also have tourist services in the surroundings, such as camel safaris, visits to archaeological sites, etc.

Security

The Registan, the most emblematic site of Samarkand.

The most typical monumental circuits do not pose any problem and you can walk calmly through the streets of the cities, with the normal and typical precautions that you would have in any other city of similar size. Follow common sense and avoid dark alleys, keep your valuables in sight, do not leave personal items unattended, etc. In many cases, some locals will be able to come up and offer to guide you in the city; in some cases they are students who want, on the one hand, to learn more about abroad and improve their English skills and, on the other, to earn a few extra dollars (a few $ 10 or $ 20 per day). If interested, ask him his intentions, what he does for life, and what he wants to show you. If everything seems to be coherent, it is a good option to know a little more about the main cities. If there is something that sounds weird, avoid continuing. If they do it overnight and you want to take it out on a nightlife tour, discard it immediately.

The interior of the country is huge and has few quality services. Puede aventurarse sin problemas, aunque es recomendable contar con un guía local que lo pueda llevar sin perderse y que pueda reaccionar bien en caso de algún accidente o percance. Tenga precaución con las zonas fronterizas: el sector sur junto a Afganistán debiese evitarse lo más posible debido al conflicto bélico que continúa en dicho país, mientras ciertas zonas del valle de Ferganá se mantienen aun inestables, debido a varios conflictos interétnicos con Kirguistán y Tayikistán. Tenga en cuenta que todas las zonas de frontera con terceros países (excepto los puntos de tránsito) están limitadas para los extranjeros, que sólo pueden visitarlas con autorización de las autoridades uzbekas. También hay ciudades de acceso prohibido a los extranjeros de las que las autoridades uzbekas no facilitan el nombre, por lo que se recomienda al visitante autónomo consultar con las autoridades antes de meterse en zonas ajenas al circuito turístico habitual.

También hay que saber que mientras esté en Uzbekistán van a registrar su nombre en cada hotel que se aloje y le darán un certificado de dicho registro. Guárdelo pues pueden requerirlo cuando intente dejar el país. Lleve siempre una copia a color de su pasaporte (las hojas de identificación y la visa a Uzbekistán), pues puede ser requerido por la policía. Si los hoteles no disponen de caja fuerte, le aconsejamos llevar consigo los documentos, cosas de valor, tarjetas de banco y dinero.

Health

Para viajar a este país no es necesario ninguna vacuna especial. Siempre se aconseja ir provistos de sobres de suero oral, medicamentos contra la diarrea y antibióticos fuertes para combatir cuadros víricos. Las enfermedades de estómago por las malas condiciones higiénicas pegan muy fuerte.

Uzbekistán es un país que tiene serios problemas medioambientales y gran parte del territorio está contaminado. Evite beber agua directamente del grifo. Beba agua embotellada y cerciórese que el precinto no se encuentre roto. Igualmente tenga precaución con los alimentos a ingerir, y prefiera aquellos que estén cocinados. Evite ensaladas que puedan haber sido lavado con agua del grifo. Haga lo mismo con las frutas o pélelas, en caso de ser posible.

Respect

Este país de mayoría musulmana es totalmente respetuoso con sus visitantes y hospitalario, pero los visitantes deben respetar las costumbres del país. The islam aglutina un importante número de tradiciones de la población y, aunque es una versión del islam mucho menos estricta que la de países vecinos, dichas normas se cumplen por lo que no hay que poner mala cara o hacer desprecio a las distintas prácticas o actos que veamos en nuestra estancia en el país.

Algunos ejemplos de costumbres y prácticas:

• Es habitual terminadas las comidas que alguno de los comensales dirija unas palabras de agradecimiento a Alá en nombre de los presentes, o que al pasar por lugares sagrados, cementerios o procesiones funerales, se pase las palmas de las manos abiertas por el rostro, sin tocarse, en señal de respeto. Tampoco se come en ningún lado cerdo, aunque no existe la misma rigidez con el alcohol o el tabaco.
• La familia es una institución social muy importante. En jerarquía están el padre, el abuelo, la madre y el primogénito, con ciertos derechos debidos a su posición. Mientras no se case el primogénito, no puede hacerlo ninguno de sus hermanos. El abuelo y la abuela siguen siendo personas de una gran autoridad dentro de la familia.
• En la vida de un hombre hay dos momentos muy importantes: el día de la circuncisión y el día de su boda. Cualquiera de estos dos días se desarrolla lleno de un significado especial, considerándose una gran fiesta y celebrado con la familia mediante un lujoso banquete.
• El pueblo uzbeko es muy hospitalario y amable con los extranjeros. Respetan sus costumbres y les gusta enseñarles las suyas. Son amantes de las tertulias alrededor de una mesa con té y de pasar las calurosas tardes de verano semitumbados en los sufás, una especie de gran cama de madera en cuyo centro se eleva una plataforma rectangular donde se sirve comida, té, o se colocan los nardi, un juego típico muy parecido al backgammon inglés al que son muy aficionados.
• Uzbekistán aunque es un país de tradición musulmana no existe problema alguno con el tipo de vestimenta, siendo sólo necesario cumplir la norma de quitarse el calzado al entrar a las mezquitas abiertas al culto.

En este país hay muchos lugares pintorescos que se pueden fotografiar, pero hay que saber que está estrictamente prohibido sacar fotos en aeropuertos, objetos militares, lugares estratégicos, algunos lugares de culto religioso y en el metro de Tashkent. En muchos monumentos históricos y arquitectónicos del país hay que pagar por el derecho de hacer fotos. Igualmente pasa con las personas; no a todas les gustan que le hagan fotos, por lo que se pueden sentir molestas. Para evitar esto, casi siempre lo mejor es preguntar a la propia persona si se le puede fotografiar y así evitar futuros problemas.

external links

• Wikipedia has an article on Uzbekistan.w:Uzbekistán
• Wikimedia Commons houses multimedia content about Uzbekistan. Commons