Geography of Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan - A Nation between Desert and Mountains
Steppes and deserts framed by rugged mountains characterise Uzbekistan's landscapes. The Uzbek culture developed in the midst of this harsh environment. It is full of oriental influences, which originate from the country's rich past as a part of the Silk Road.
Uzbekistan is located in the heart of Central Asia, between such major rivers as the Amu Darya and Syr Darya, and indulges his people favorable natural and geographical conditions. The territory of Uzbekistan exceeds the size of the European countries such as Switzerland, Austria, Denmark, the United Kingdom and is coupled 448.9 thousand kilometers.
Today the total length of the state borders of the Republic of Uzbekistan is 6221kilometr. Border of the Republic of Uzbekistan to the border of Kazakhstan lies in the north-east, east and south-east - Uzbekistan borders with Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan in the west - with Turkmenistan, and in the south - with Afghanistan.
Uzbekistan is a Central Asian inland country, which is surrounded exclusively by other inland countries (like no other country on earth apart from Liechtenstein). Kazakhstan shares the Aral Sea with Uzbekistan. The agricultural use of its tributaries Amu Darya and Syr Darya caused the sea to dry out, so that it has fallen into separate smaller bodies of water. The country has hot, dry summers and cold, inhospitable winters. It is crossed by the Turkestan Range and the foothills of the Tian Shan.
Uzbekistan is mostly covered in dry, barren deserts and steppes. These harsh landscapes stretch for miles. While grasses and undemanding shrubs grow in some regions, the landscape in other areas is dominated by red and yellow sand which is hardly vegetated. The milder regions are home to urials, the markhor goat and gazelles. In the pure desert areas, life mainly happens in the air or on the ground. At the horizon you see the rugged, harsh rocks of the mountains protruding from the ground. In the east of the country you find fertile areas. The country's few forests are populated by lynxes, bears and wolves.
Travellers can experience the typical desert landscape in the Kyzyl Kum Desert, for example. The Chatkal National Park is also worth a visit because it displays the diversity of the country's breathtaking, unspoiled mountain world. The Chimgan region, surrounding the mountain of the same name, constitutes a classic recreational area, which offers great conditions for winter sports and invites visitors to hike and relax outdoors in summer and winter. You find Uzbekistan's green side in the Fergana Valley, where you can watch how silk is produced traditionally. The Nuratau Mountains are a first rate destination for ecotourism. You can get to know the population's native rural life in this landscape.
In the northernmost point there is Ustyurt plateau, which refers to the flat part of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The southernmost point is the city of Termez, in Surkhandarya region. The length between the two territories is 930 kilometers. West Point is located on the Ustyurt plateau and the east - the Ferghana Valley, on the border with Kazakhstan. The distance between them is greater than the distance from north to south and is 1425 kilometers.
The landscape of the republic is divided into three parts as a rule. To the east and south-east are the mountains and foothills, west - this arid deserts and semi-deserts, and plains place in the north-west and south-west. In Uzbekistan, there is the lowest point - 12 meters below sea level, which is in the drainage basins Mynbulak.
In turn, the largest river not only in Uzbekistan, but also throughout Central Asia - is the Amu Darya and Syr Darya. The length of the Amu Darya River - 1,415 kilometers, and the Syr Darya - 2122 kilometers. With this in mind, you will notice that these rivers constitute two river basins.
Uzbekistan is rich in minerals, such as deposits of oil, gas, coal, and precious, rare, non-ferrous metals.
Uzbekistan is the right destination for travellers who want to get to know the special oriental-eastern European culture with its rich testimonies. In addition, the country offers ideal conditions for those who are looking for an adventure in the wild, harsh nature off the usual tourist paths.

The climate in Uzbekistan
The climate in Uzbekistan is very hot, continental, as can be seen in the strong contrasts in temperature because of no direct access to the sea or ocean.. Uzbekistan - a sunny country and the high standing of the sun, heat, light, and drought is very typical for the country. The duration of a summer day - 15 hours, and winter - about 9 hours.  In the north the average sunlight is 2500-3000 hours and in the south it is 2800-3130 hours. It is comparable with California, the US with the same condition. In Uzbekistan it is cold in winter and hot in summer . January is the coldest month of the year while July is the hottest. Though the average winter temperature is about -23°C, in the north it may fall as low as -35,-40°C. However, there may be enough warm days during winter time.
Uzbekistan doesn’t feature with heavy and long-lying snowfall. The average snowfall is about 5-15 centimeters.
Spring usually starts in February in the southern parts while it reaches in April in northern area of the country. The weather is changeable in spring with warm, chilly and sometimes cold days.
Summer starts even in May in the south and remains till august. In summer the temperature is about +35, +40°C and sometimes it may reach +50, +60°C in deserts.
The average annual rainfall is about 100-200 mm which mostly occurs in spring and winter as well as precipitation.
Tourist seasons
First half of tourist season falls on spring months: March, April, May, and the second half is in August, September and October because of the peculiarity of climate.
There is also tourist activity in winter months for the lovers of mountains and winter ports (ski, snowboard).

Charvak reservoir

The road to Samarkand

Camael safari in Kizilkum desert