1. Uzbekistan today is a new independent state in Central Asia. After the collapse of the USSR Uzbekistan chose peace- loving democratic policy and launched reforms to develop a market economy and enter international economic society as a full member.

3. The state emblem of the Republic of Uzbekistan was approved by the 10 th Session of the Supreme Council of the Republic of Uzbekistan on July 2, 1992. The state emblem of the Republic of Uzbekistan actually absorbed the centuries-old experiences of the Uzbek people. It reflects a blossoming valley and a shining sun. The right side of the valley is set off with wheat and to the left with a cotton plant garland. The octagonal star, symbolizing the unity of the Republic, crowns the state emblem. The holy Muslim symbols of the crescent and the star are placed inside the star. In the center of the emblem there is the holy bird, Khumo, with its spread wings symbolizing magnanimity, nobility and service. These symbols reflect the long way of the Uzbek people towards peace, stability, happiness, wealth and prosperity. A little frame with the inscription "Uzbekistan" is placed in the lower part of the state emblem.

5. Fergana region is situated in Fergana Valley. It is a rich agricultural region, producing cotton, grain, rice, fruits and vegetables. There is also a significant industrial base in the region, with major industries being agricultural production and processing, agricultural machinery, oil and oil refinery, chemicals and fertilizers. The Fergana Region has 4 administrative cities and 15 rural districts. The capital is the city of Fergana; other major cities include Besharik, Khamza, Kokand, Kuva, Kuvasay, Margilan and Rishtan. There are two Uzbek exclaves in the territory of Fergana region. They are the district of Sokh and Shahimardan. Fergana is one of the most industrially developedregions in Uzbekistan with over 170 industrial enterprises. There are airports in Kokand and Fergana city.

6. Andijan region is located in the eastern part of the Fergana Valley at the foothill of the Fergana and Alay mountains. The Kashkadarya River cuts across the region from the eastern to the western part and its waters are mainly used for irrigation. Andijan region is considered one of the most densely populated regions in Uzbekistan with a population of approximately 2,400,000. Almost 9 % of the total population of Uzbekistan resides its territory, which makes up only one percent of the total territory. The region of Andijan consists of 14 administrative districts and 95 rural assemblies. Andijan city, with a population of 303, 000, is the administrative centre. The industrial sector includes metal processing, chemical production, electromechanics, cotton refinery, and food production for human and animal consumption. The first car factory in Central Asia was established in Andijan region by an Uzbek-Korean joint enterprise. Gas pipelines, passing over the Khanabad-Andijan-Asaka route and other parts of the valley operate reliably.

7. The Republic of Karakalpakstan is a sovereign state within the Republic of Uzbekistan. Its territory is 166,600 sq. km (37% of the total area) and the population is 1.6 mln. people (approximately 5.6% of the total population), however, its GDP is only 2.4% of that of Uzbekistan. It is populated mainly by Karakalpaks in the North and Uzbeks in the South. Karakalpakstan consists of 14 districts. Karakalpakstan has its own Constitution, which is in line with that of Uzbekistan. The state system of the Republic is based upon the constitutional division of powers between legislative, executive and judiciary branches. The Jokargi Kenes (parliament) is the legislative body of the Republic, while the Council of Ministers is the highest executive body. Geographically, the territory of Karakalpakstan consists of the north-western part of the Kyzyl Kum Desert, the south-eastern part of the Usturt Plateau and the Amu Darya River delta, as well as the southern part of the Aral Sea. The Amu Darya is the only river that flows through the given area. There are a variety of natural resources such as gold, uranium, gas, iron, phosphorus, bentonite and kaolin clay, salt, marble, and granite. Climate is typically continental with dry and hot summers and cold winters. The traditional occupation of the Karakalpaks is livestock farming, agriculture and fishing.

8. Samarkand is situated in the valley of the river Zarafshan. It is the second largest city of Uzbekistan and is of the same age as the city of Babylon or Rome. The history of Samarkand is about 2,500 years old and has witnessed many upheavals during the times of Alexander the Great, the Arabic Conquest, Genghis-Khan Conquest and lastly Tamerlane's. Hence, the culture of Samarkand was developed and mixed together with the Iranian, Indian, Mongolian and a bit of the Western and Eastern cultures. Majestic and beautiful city Samarkand has a marvelous and attractive power. Poets and historians of the past called it "Rome of the East, The beauty of sublunary countries, The pearl of the Eastern Muslim World". Its advantageous geographical position in the Zarafshan valley put Samarkand to the first place among cities of Central ASIA.

9. Bukhara is an ancient oasis city along the fabled Silk Road and it is said that the sun shines up from the city for it is so noble. For centuries it was a centre of trade and Islam, earning the title Bukhoro-i-Sharif, or "Noble Bukhara" among Muslims (one of the seven holy cities of Islam). The city itself boasts impressive architecture and history. It is one of the few places in Central Asia where one can feel the heartbeat of ancient Central Asia. Most of the city remains intact and most of the 250,000 inhabitants are members of families who have lived there for generations upon generations. The city was founded in the 1st century AD. By the time of its capture by Arabs in the early 8th century, Bukhara had become an important trade and cultural center. It was a leading center of Islamic learning under the Arabs and the Persian Samanid dynasty, which held the city in the 9th and 10th centuries. It later was captured successively by the Qarakhanids and Tatars, and in 1555 it became the capital of an Uzbek emirate. The emirate was conquered in 1866 by Russia, which held it as a protectorate from 1868 to 1920; then the emir was removed, and the city was made the capital of the Bukhara People's Soviet Republic. From 1924 to 1991 the city was incorporated into the Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic (UzSSR). Uzbekistan became an independent republic in 1991.