# Tashkent

> capital of Uzbekistan

**Wikidata**: [Q269](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q269)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tashkent)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/tashkent

## Summary
Tashkent is the capital and largest city of Uzbekistan, serving as a major political, economic, and cultural hub in Central Asia. With a history spanning over 2,000 years, it has been part of numerous empires and states, including the Tashkent Khanate, Russian Empire, and Soviet Union. As of 2023, its population is estimated at nearly 3 million, reflecting its status as a dynamic urban center.

## Key Facts
- **Area**: 334.8 square kilometers.
- **Population (2023 estimate)**: 2,956,384.
- **Founded**: Evidence of settlement dates back to the 5th century BCE.
- **Capital Status**: Served as the capital of the Tashkent Khanate (1501–1627), Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic (1930–1991), and modern Uzbekistan (since 1991).
- **Elevation**: 455 meters above sea level.
- **Time Zone**: UTC+05:00.
- **Language**: Official language is Uzbek; Russian is widely spoken.
- **Awards**: Recipient of the Order of Lenin and the Order of "Mustakillik".
- **Twinned Cities**: Berlin, Istanbul, Shanghai, and others.
- **Administrative Division**: Divided into 11 districts, including Mirzo Ulugbek and Yunusabad.

## FAQs
- **What historical empires has Tashkent been part of?**  
  Tashkent has been part of the Tashkent Khanate, Russian Empire, Turkestan Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic, and Soviet Union, among others.
- **What is Tashkent's population trend?**  
  The population grew from 156,000 in 1897 to over 2.9 million by 2023, driven by urbanization and its role as a national capital.
- **What are Tashkent's key administrative features?**  
  It is both a city and a first-level administrative division of Uzbekistan, bordered by Tashkent Region and divided into 11 districts.
- **What awards has Tashkent received?**  
  It has been awarded the Order of Lenin and the Order of "Mustakillik" for its historical and cultural significance.

## Why It Matters
Tashkent is a cornerstone of Central Asian history, blending ancient traditions with modern development. As Uzbekistan’s political and economic heart, it drives national growth and serves as a gateway for regional diplomacy. Its resilience through earthquakes, regime changes, and cultural shifts underscores its enduring importance. The city’s architectural mix—from Soviet-era monuments to Islamic landmarks—reflects its complex heritage, making it a symbol of Uzbek identity and a key player in Eurasian affairs.

## Notable For
- **Historical Resilience**: Survived destructive earthquakes (e.g., 1966) and regime transitions.
- **Cultural Landmarks**: Home to the Kukeldash Madrasah, Navoi Theatre, and Museum of Applied Arts.
- **Economic Role**: Accounts for over 50% of Uzbekistan’s GDP, with industries in textiles, machinery, and agriculture.
- **Awards and Recognition**: Honored with the Order of Lenin (1967) and Order of "Mustakillik" (2018).
- **Educational Hub**: Hosts institutions like the National University of Uzbekistan and Tashkent Medical Academy.

## Body

### History
- **Ancient Origins**: Founded as *Chach* in the 5th century BCE, part of the Sogdian civilization.
- **Silk Road Significance**: Thrived as a trade center between China, India, and the Mediterranean.
- **Soviet Era**: Underwent rapid industrialization and reconstruction post-1966 earthquake.
- **Independence**: Became the capital of independent Uzbekistan in 1991.

### Geography
- **Location**: Situated in northeastern Uzbekistan, bordered by the Chirchiq River.
- **Climate**: Humid continental, with hot summers (up to 40°C) and cold winters (down to -20°C).

### Demographics
- **Ethnic Groups**: Primarily Uzbeks, with Russian, Korean, and Tatar communities.
- **Language Shift**: Uzbek replaced Russian as the dominant language post-independence.

### Governance
- **Current Mayor**: Shavkat Umurzakov (since 2024).
- **Administrative Divisions**: 11 districts, including Shaykhontohur and Yakkasaray.

### Economy
- **Key Industries**: Textile manufacturing, agricultural processing, and machinery production.
- **Infrastructure**: Central Asia’s largest metro system (since 1977) and a major rail junction.

### Culture
- **Landmarks**: Independence Square, Amir Timur Museum, and the White Mosque.
- **Festivals**: Navruz celebrations and the Tashkent International Film Festival.

### International Relations
- **Diplomatic Presence**: Hosts embassies of over 50 countries.
- **Twinned Cities**: Partnerships with Berlin (1993), Shanghai (1994), and Seoul (2019).

### Education and Research
- **Institutions**: Over 30 universities, including the Tashkent Institute of Finance and Tashkent State University of Law.

### Challenges
- **Urbanization**: Struggles with traffic congestion and air pollution.
- **Historic Preservation**: Balancing modernization with the protection of Soviet and Islamic architectural heritage.

## References

1. [Source](https://fergana.media/news/129590/)
2. archINFORM
3. [Internetowa encyklopedia PWN](https://encyklopedia.pwn.pl/haslo/Taszkent;3985620.html)
4. [Source](https://www.iso.org/obp/ui/#iso:code:3166:UZ)
5. [Source](https://dniprorada.gov.ua/uk/articles/item/9756/u-dnipropetrovska-zjavilos-dva-novih-mistapobratima-solnok-ta-zugdidi)
6. [Source](https://old.kyivcity.gov.ua/files/2018/2/15/Mista-pobratymy.pdf)
7. [Source](https://kyivcity.gov.ua/kyiv_ta_miska_vlada/pro_kyiv/mista-pobratimi_z_yakimi_kiyevom_pidpisani_dokumenti_pro_poridnennya_druzhbu_spivrobitnitstvo_partnerstvo/)
8. Virtual International Authority File
9. MusicBrainz
10. [Source](https://www.lhc-s.org/member_cities/index.php)
11. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
12. [Source](https://stat.uz/ru/press-tsentr/novosti-komiteta/4906-demograficheskaya-situatsiya-5)
13. [Source](https://stat.uz/uploads/docs/dem_mart_2019_ru.pdf)
14. [Great Russian Encyclopedia](https://old.bigenc.ru/geography/text/4184234)
15. [Source](https://citypopulation.de/en/uzbekistan/admin/UZ26__toshkent_shahri/)
16. Great dictionary of geographical names
17. Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1969–1978)
18. [Source](https://centralasia.news/7311-den-goroda-tashkenta-planiruetsja-otmechat-ezhegodno-17-avgusta.html#:~:text=%D0%9F%D0%BE%20%D1%81%D0%BB%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%B0%D0%BC%20%D1%8D%D0%BA%D1%81%D0%BF%D0%B5%D1%80%D1%82%D0%BE%D0%B2%2C%2090%20%D0%BB%D0%B5%D1%82,%D0%B8%20%D0%BF%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%BC%D1%8B%D1%88%D0%BB%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%BD%D0%BE%D0%B3%D0%BE%20%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%B9%D0%BE%D0%BD%D0%B0%20%E2%80%93%20%D0%A4%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%B3%D0%B0%D0%BD%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%B9%20%D0%B4%D0%BE%D0%BB%D0%B8%D0%BD%D1%8B.)
19. [Source](http://cnig.gouv.fr/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/CNT-PVM_r%C3%A9vis%C3%A9_2020-01-27-1.pdf)
20. GeoNames
21. BBC Things
22. [Source](https://service.unece.org/trade/locode/uz.htm)
23. YSO-Wikidata mapping project
24. BabelNet
25. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)
26. [Source](https://encyklopedia.pwn.pl/haslo/Taszkent;3985620.html)
27. [Source](https://islamansiklopedisi.org.tr/taskent)
28. [iNaturalist](https://www.inaturalist.org/places/inaturalist-places.csv.zip)
29. Golden
30. YouTube API
31. Bibliography of the History of the Czech Lands