What is the capital of Uzbekistan?

The capital of Uzbekistan is Tashkent, a dynamic city in the east of the country, close to the border with Kazakhstan. With over 2.5 million inhabitants, it is the largest city in Central Asia and the political, economic and cultural center of Uzbekistan.

Tashkent, whose name means “city of stone” in Uzbek, has a history stretching back thousands of years. Located on the ancient Silk Road, it has long been a strategic point of passage between East and West. The city has seen a number of different dominations, including those of the Persians, Turks, Mongols and Russians, all of which have left their mark on its architecture and culture.

In the 19th century, it became an important center of the Russian Empire, before joining the Soviet Union in 1924, becoming the capital of the Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic. This status enabled the city to modernize rapidly, with the construction of industrial and cultural infrastructures.

Today, Tashkent is a modern metropolis that retains traces of its Soviet past. After the 1966 earthquake, which destroyed much of the city, the USSR undertook massive reconstruction, giving Tashkent a typically Soviet architectural style, with wide avenues, concrete buildings and imposing monuments.

After Uzbekistan gained independence in 1991, the city continued to develop, modernizing its infrastructure and enhancing its historical heritage. Today, the city boasts a mix of Soviet buildings, Islamic monuments and contemporary constructions.

Tashkent is home to the seat of the Uzbek government, as well as numerous administrative institutions. It is also a major economic center, with a booming industry in textiles, mechanical engineering and new technologies.

Its role as a commercial hub is reinforced by its international airport, the largest in Central Asia, which links the city to the world’s major capitals.

Despite the destruction caused by the 1966 earthquake, Tashkent still boasts some remarkable historic sites. Among the most emblematic monuments is the Khast-Imam complex, which houses one of the oldest copies of the Othman Koran, a sacred text dating back to the 7th century.

The city is also an important cultural center, with numerous museums, theaters and art galleries. The Museum of Applied Arts, the Navoi Theatre and the Museum of the History of Uzbekistan are among the most visited.

Since independence, Tashkent has undergone a rapid transformation. The development of transport infrastructures, notably the Tashkent metro, one of the most beautiful in the world with its richly decorated stations, bears witness to the city’s modern ambitions.

Urban planning is evolving with the appearance of skyscrapers, shopping malls and green spaces, making Tashkent an increasingly attractive city for tourists and investors.

Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, is a city with a rich past and a dynamic present. Combining historical heritage, Soviet influence and modernity, it plays a key role in Central Asia, both politically and economically. Its rapid transformation has made it a key center in this part of the world.

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