Have you heard about Uzbekistan?

Unfortunately, many Europeans often confuse Uzbekistan with other states with the ending in "stan". In Persian, the suffix -stan means "Place, country". Uzbekistan is an independent and very beautiful state. Come and visit it, and see it for yourself.

Uzbekistan is the birthplace of the invincible Tamerlane, the crossroads of the oldest caravan routes, as well as the intersection of various languages, cultures, and even civilizations.

A small country in Central Asia, neighboring Russia on the one hand, and Afghanistan on the other. And it is the last point that makes Uzbekistan an important strategic country. For many years it has been the gateway to Central Asia, for which it was called "the top of a bottle". And for many years Uzbekistan has been holding back the Taliban from crossing the border. But this is all geopolitics.

Uzbekistan is a Muslim country, but the people who live there are representatives of a wide variety of nations and religions.

Having been a part of the USSR for 60 years, Uzbekistan, having become independent in 1991, absorbed the best from all 15 countries. After the end of World War II, the Uzbek land accepted thousands of orphaned children from all over the USSR. From 1940 to 1945, during the war years on the territory of the USSR, Uzbekistan was one of the main suppliers of food to the front. Generous land and sun have always been a guarantee of a good harvest.

Many years have passed since then, but the country still grows the sweetest watermelons in the world, melons, apples, peaches. In the summer season, the trails along with the fields, called bakcha, are filled with the aroma of melons. Just open the window in the car and you feel the sweet smell of these incredible fruits, filled with sun and heat. The largest melons are up to 2 ft long. If you have not tried Uzbek melons, you have lost a lot. Especially if it is cold, combined with a hot flatbread - non.

Non is a separate topic. Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, has always been called the City of bread.

For the Uzbek people, bread is sacred, it is revered and is never thrown into the trash can. In extreme cases, the dried flour product is collected in a separate bag and given to the owners of cattle to feed sheep and cows. Bread should not be wasted if it can be fed to a living creature.

The markets, bazaars, are always full of a wide variety of non. They are always round in shape, but they can be decorated in different ways. They are baked in tandoors, special ovens that are fired with wood. Although in our age of technology and gasification, firewood has been replaced by gas.

But the taste does not suffer from this.

Mountain honey collected by bees from mountain flowers is also widespread. The smell of this product is indescribable, bittersweet, full of floral aroma, and unique flavor. Amber yellow, symbolizing health and longevity.

You can walk around the markets of Uzbekistan all day, just breathing in the smell of fruits and food that is prepared right on the street, in front of a visitor. Brown pilaf or plov with pieces of juicy meat, lagman, shashlik, there is no equal in the world.

But you shouldn't think that the country has only national cuisine. It is easy to find Korean, Japanese, Italian, Turkish, Russian food here. Uzbekistan does not stand still, despite its Muslim roots and respect for traditions, the country strives for European values.

The Uzbek people are one of the most welcoming and hospitable in the world. They live according to the principle "the best for the guest". So, if you come to visit an Uzbek, have no doubt, he will treat you to the best delicacies.

This comes from the opinion that the guest, even if he comes with bad news, is sent by Allah.

Uzbekistan promotes peaceful Islam and does not at all support the radical fanatics of this religion. There, a Muslim mosque, a Catholic church, and a Buddhist temple stand side by side.

The history of Uzbekistan is also rich and varied. One of the famous commanders Amir Temur not only united the disunited peoples of Central Asia but also interrupted the ridge of the Golden Horde, which was rampaging in the territory of Ancient Rus.

In the spring of 327 BC. Alexander the Great invaded Sogdiana, the pearl of Central Asia. The commander Spitamen resisted the invaders for a long time until he was betrayed by his comrades-in-arms. According to another version, Spitamen was betrayed by his wife, she brought her husband's head to the Macedonian.

Today Sogdiana has become modern Samarkand, centuries have passed, but the trace of the Macedonian is still can be noticed through the centuries. Samarkand Uzbeks are often fair-haired and blue-eyed.

As is known from the legend, after the battle with the Scythians, Alexander the Great stopped at a sacred spring to drink water. And in the places where the drops fell, sauras - conifers - grew.

This fiction or not remains a mystery. But at the end of the 19th century, there was an alley of such saur in Tashkent. And the most ancient tree has survived to this day. It can be found inside the old mausoleum of Sheikh Khovendiat Takhur. It looks like a huge tree, ranging from floor to dome. The mausoleum itself is located in the Old City of the capital - Chorsu.

The nature of Uzbekistan deserves a separate article. Mountains in particular. The famous mountains of Uzbekistan are located in the Western Tien Shan and are called Chimgan. These are mighty hills with caves, hidden paths, beautiful waterfalls, and crystal clear lakes.

The nature of Chimgan is diverse: these are the Gulkam waterfalls, and the Beldersal ring, and the Yangiabad mountains, and much, much more. There you can capture completely different mountain landscapes on camera: from high cliffs to alpine meadows. These places will not leave anyone indifferent.

The Chimgan mountains may not be the highest in the world, but they are beautiful and picturesque. Reserves, lakes, forests, places that are visited every year by tourists and local nature lovers. In winter, Chimgan opens its doors to snowboarders and skiers.

The smiling, benevolent people of Uzbekistan survived the occupation of the USSR, World War II, then the collapse of the USSR, and long difficult years of rehabilitation and closed borders, defending their lands from encroachments. Now the country is moving by leaps and bounds, developing and taking on new forms. And of course, it positions itself as tolerant of any religion and nationality.

To get acquainted with this amazing country, every tourist needs to go on sightseeing tours of the ancient cities: Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva, Ugrench, Shakhrisabz, and many others.

A sunny land full of mysteries and ancient secrets, a country of hospitality and smiles - this is how you can describe Uzbekistan! It combines hot desert sands and crystal lakes, expressive mountains, and alluring oases with the shade of vineyards and plane trees, ancient cities, and a trial of the Silk Road.

The most famous vacation spot in Uzbekistan is the artificial lake Charvak (Charvak reservoir).

Tourists love this place for its picturesque view: turquoise waters, beautiful mountains, fresh wind, and natural harmony. You can go there from the capital and be there in an hour and a half. You can stay in the village of Yusufhona, where you can choose a hotel of your choice. For lovers of real exoticism and romance, the other shore of Charvak is suitable, namely the village of Brichmula. Here residents rent ayvans - this is the name of the large Uzbek trestle beds, where you can relax and eat. You can sleep outdoors after a delicious campfire lunch.

Come and see this magical land!