London 2012 Olympics Focus – Uzbekistan: Culture and Facts

In the run up to the Olympics opening ceremony, we will be profiling each of the countries taking part. Next up, Uzbekistan.

Name: Uzbekistan

Capital: Tashkent

National Language(s): Uzbek

Area: 447,400 km²

Population: 2012 estimate – 29,559,100

Currency: Uzbekistan Som

Time Zone: UTC+5

5 Interesting Facts:

• The official language of Uzbekistan is Uzbek, a Turkic language.
• The vast majority of Uzbekistan’s citizens are Sunni Muslims, at 88% of the population. An additional 9% are Orthodox Christians, primarily of the Russian Orthodox faith. There are tiny minorities of Buddhists and Jews, as well.
• The highest point is Adelunga Toghi in the Tian Shan mountains, at 14,111 feet (4,301 meters).
• Uzbekistan has a desert climate, with searing hot, dry summers and cold, somewhat wetter winters.
• The Uzbek economy is based primarily on raw materials export. Uzbekistan is a major cotton-producing country, and also exports large amounts of gold, uranium, and natural gas.

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