Most Interesting Facts about Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan is a landlocked country in Central Asia. It is bordered by Kazakhstan to the north, Kyrgyzstan to the northeast, Tajikistan to the southeast, Afghanistan to the south and Turkmenistan to the southwest.
The country has become a trending destination since last few years. The nation is known for its extraordinary mausoleums, mosques, and other incredible locales connected to the Silk Road. Visit Uzbekistan and enjoy the history, culture and architecture of the country.
Interesting facts about Uzbekistan
1. Uzbekistan is not only a land locked country. It is a double landlocked country meaning all the countries surrounding it are also landlocked. And to reach any coastline from Uzbekistan, one has to cross at least two countries. Liechtenstein is the only other country in the world which is double landlocked.
2. There are many superstitions related to bread. It is believed that turning bread upside down or placing it on the ground will bring you bad fortune. According to an ancient tradition, a family member has to take a bite from a small piece of Uzbek bread before departing on a journey. The remaining bread is then kept buried or hidden until the traveler comes home.
3. In Uzbekistan, handshakes are only acceptable to take place between two men. A man cannot shake hands with a woman. While greeting an Uzbek woman you should bow down to her with your right hand placed over your heart. Does this remind you of a particular scene from Kuch Kuch Hota Hai? Let us know in comments 
4.It is also a tradition in the country that the most respected guest be seated farthest from the house’s entrance.
5. Tashkent’s metro stations are known for their beauty. There are three stations and each one of them has a unique design and theme. With marble ceilings and beautiful chandeliers, they are considered one of the most beautiful train stations in the world. Riding in such a grand metro will definitely be fun.
6. The Aral Sea lying between Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan was once the fourth largest inland sea on Earth. However, from the 1960s, the lake has been gradually shrinking after the rivers were diverted to irrigate the cotton fields. Extensive use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers has further polluted the region. Today the lake has shrunk to half its former area and decreased by threefold in volume. The shrinking of Aral Sea has been called one of the planet’s worst environmental disasters.
7. With regard to reserves and production of copper and tungsten, Uzbekistan is among the top ten countries in the world. Uzbekistan is the world’s seventh-largest producer of cotton, most of which is exported. Other exports include gold, oil, and natural gas as well as uranium.
8. The country is rich in gold. Its Muruntau gold mine is one of the largest open pit gold mines in the world. The mine is located in Muruntau in Kyzyl Kum desert and produces about 2 million ounces of gold every year.
9. Tashkent is one of the few cities in the world where you can enjoy the clear starry night sky. This is possible due to the low amount of exhaust fumes in the area.
10. Uzbekistan produces one of the most delicious fruits in the world with a high content of natural sugars. Mirzachul melon which is grown here is considered the most delicious melon in the world.
11. One fun fact about Uzbekistan is that it is the only country in the world in which the names of all the neighboring countries end in “stan”.
12. There are few cities in the country which are more than 2750 years old. The most famous one is Samarkand which, along with Rome, is one of the oldest cities in the world.
Trip leader Sakshi’s Recommendations if you are visiting Uzbekistan:
Samarkand: The city is a crossroads of cultures and was listed by UNESCO in 2001. Samarkand was once the pride of the Silk Road. The city is known as one of the oldest cities in the world and has a special place in the modern Uzbekistan as well. Visit the Registan square where people once gathered to hear royal proclamations. It still boasts the world’s oldest preserved medressas and holds pride in being one of the major Uzbekistan tourist attractions. There are many more sites which you can visit like the Bibi Khanum and Gur Emir Mausoleums, the Shah-i-Zinda complex, Afrosiab & the Ulughbek Observatory.
Desert Fortress: Visit the beautiful fortresses in the deserts of Kyzyl Kum. These fortresses were a part of Khorezm Empire and date back to more than 2000 years. There are numerous legends connected to each of these fortress ruins. The best preserved and the most famous is Ayaz-Kala fortress. Other interesting fortresses are Kyzyl-Kala and Janbas-Kala.
Bukhara: Another pretty and historic city, Bukhara is a UNESCO World Heritage site. You will be able to walk around and see the beautiful mosques, madrassahs, and palaces. The earliest architectural monument is the tomb of Ismail Somoni dating back to the 10th century.