Fact Finder - General Knowledge

Uzbekistan is one of only two 'doubly landlocked' countries in the world (the other being Liechtenstein). Its capital, Tashkent, is the largest city in Central Asia and was a major hub on the Silk Road. While Tashkent is a modern metropolis with a famous ornate metro system, the city of Samarkand remains the country's cultural jewel. Samarkand’s Registan Square is one of the world's most stunning examples of Islamic architecture, featuring three massive madrasahs (schools) covered in intricate blue tiles and mosaics. Uzbekistan is also home to the shrinking Aral Sea, once the fourth-largest lake in the world, which has largely disappeared due to Soviet-era irrigation projects. Today, the country is a major producer of cotton and gold, and its 'Plov' (a savory rice dish) is recognized by UNESCO as part of the world's intangible cultural heritage.