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Tashkent is located in the east of Uzbekistan. It is the capital of the state and the centre of the Tashkent area. It is located in the oasis of Chirchik River, in the region of the cultivation of cotton and fruits. Tashkent is the main industrial and transport centre. It was the largest city in the territory of Central Asia in days of Soviet Union.
The industry on manufacturing technics, cotton and silk, chemicals, tobacco and furniture is developed in Tashkent. Tashkent is the centre of the Uzbek culture. A big library, Academy of sciences of Uzbekistan and many other higher educational institutions are located in the city. The underground of the city has been opened in 1977.
First records of Tashkent belong to VII century AD., though, it might be established in I century AD. The city had been successfully conquered by Arabs in VIII century, and by Genghis Khan in XIII century. After the conquest of the territory of present Uzbekistan by Russia in 1865, a new Russian city had been constructed around the old city.
In 1966 Tashkent has very strongly suffered from earthquake. In 1991 Tashkent became the capital of independent Republic Uzbekistan.
The approximate population of Tashkent is equaled 2,120,000 persons, 73 % of which are Uzbeks, 18 % are Russians, and 9% are other nationalities.
The Uzbek language is an official state language, Russian is very widely used here, and informally is the second language.
The first records of Tashkent in ancient chronicles of the East refer to II century BC. Tashkent was mentioned under name Uni. In III century BC Persians mentioned Tashkent under name Chach, Arabs - Shash, Turks - Tash. The present name of Tashkent was fixed to it only in XVII century.
Even in the Middle Ages Tashkent was the developed agricultural centre, a city of handicraftsmen with well strengthened borders from attacks of northern nomad tribes. At various times Tashkent was part of Kushan empire and the Eftalits' state, of Arab Caliphate, of Samanids' state and and nomads Karakhanids.
It had been conquered by Genghis Khan and Tamerlane, and for a long time had been under control of Kokand khanate. In the end of XIX centuries it had been conquered by Russia. At this period it became the centre of Turkestan region, and since 1930 Tashkent has become the capital of Uzbekistan.
Today Tashkent is a modern city with the population more than 2,5 million persons. Tashkent is located in the plain of Chirchik river at height of 480 m above sea level, and occupies territory in 30 thousand hectare.
After destructive earthquake in 1966, the city has been anew built up and became one of the most beautiful administrative and cultural, industrial centres of the Central Asia.
The architectural appearance of Tashkent is notable for its obvious expressional national colour: ultra modern buildings harmoniously adjoin to medieval constructions. There are a large number of parks and squares rich with greens and fountains.
Tashkent is an air gate of Uzbekistan, the international airport can accept flights more than from 50 countries of the world. Hundreds international congresses, fairs, conferences, festivals and sport competitions annually pass in Tashkent.
Thousand tourists and businessmen visit Tashkent every year, receiving indelible impression of architectural monuments and ancient Uzbek culture. |
