The historical cities of Uzbekistan are a must-visit destination for everyone.
Uzbekistan is a country in Central Asia that attracts travelers from all over the world with its culture, history and beauty. We have prepared for you some interesting facts about Uzbekistan that may be useful in your journey.
Uzbekistan is the only country in the world that borders with countries whose names end in “stan”. In the north and northwest–Kazakhstan; in the southwest and south–Turkmenistan; in the south–Afghanistan; in the southeast –Tajikistan; in the east –Kyrgyzstan.
Samarkand is the oldest city in Uzbekistan, founded in the middle of the 8th century BC and is the same age as Rome and Nanjing (China). The city used to be called Marakanda and was the capital of the Temurid state, and later, in 1924, it became the first capital of Soviet Uzbekistan. Samarkand is the third most populous city in Uzbekistan. The historical and archaeological monuments of this city have been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List under the name “Samarkand-the crossroads of cultures”.
Khiva – A Brief History
Khiva is one of the oldest Turkic cities located in Uzbekistan Khorezm region. It has preserved its old monuments quite well. Ancient religious manuscripts state that Khiva was founded by Som (Shem), the son of Prophet Noah. Legend says that Shem had discovered a well (some say that he dug a well) while crossing the desert, and it became a resting place for the caravans in the desert. The locals called it “khey-vakh” which means sweet water.
