| Uzbekistan lies at the heart of the Great Silk Road. | | | | which still stand. Central among them is the Registan, |
| For centuries, oases of Samarkand, Bukhara and | | | | which was the heart of the city. Madrasahs or Muslim |
| Khiva brought respite to the caravans as they made | | | | religious academies face three sides of the square, |
| their way across the desert. A tour through this | | | | giving, one built by Tamerlane's grandson who also |
| country immerses you in the essence of the | | | | built an observatory which he used to advance the |
| progress of civilization as it moved west. Today, | | | | science of astronomy during his reign. Another |
| Uzbekistan preserves this heritage while striving to | | | | legendary city is Bukhara, lying to the west. Another |
| bring its largely rural, historically nomadic populations | | | | oases for Silk Road caravans, Bukhara became one |
| better lives in a post-Soviet world. Slightly larger in | | | | of the great learning centers in the Muslim world and |
| area than California and with a population of 26 million, | | | | spawned the mystical Sufi sect of Islam. The city |
| Uzbekistan contains more than half of Central Asia's | | | | today still contains 350 mosques and supports more |
| people. Known as the 'sunny republic,' Uzbekistan is | | | | than 100 religious academies. With narrow streets, |
| arid with annual rainfall between only 4 and 8 inches. | | | | many parks and gardens, numerous historical sites |
| But its heavily irrigated river valleys make it the | | | | and lively bazaars, a visit to this ancient city will |
| second largest cotton exporter in the world. It also | | | | satisfy a diverse range of interests. Travel here and |
| contains important mineral resources and is a world | | | | you are sure to find something that resonates with |
| leader in gold production. Historically, Uzbekistan is | | | | your spirit. Further west still, you come to a museum |
| exceedingly rich, making it a truly great tourist | | | | under the blue sky, Khiva. A city reputed to have |
| destination. More than 4,000 historic sites dot the | | | | been founded by Shem, one of the Biblical Noah's |
| country, and thus its stature as the pearl of the | | | | sons, Khiva has preserved its ancient past and been |
| ancient Silk Road. Civilization was already ancient here | | | | turned into a living record of its days as a key center |
| when Alexander the Great conquered the region in | | | | of trade along the Silk Road. The historic center of |
| the 4th Century BC. Up until the discovery of ocean | | | | the city contains spectacular examples of Islamic |
| routes to India and China, Uzbekistan lay at the | | | | architecture. Palaces, minarets and mausoleums from |
| crossroads of communication between East and | | | | centuries ago have been preserved and refurbished |
| West and was the center of trade and exchange of | | | | making Khiva a lens through which you can gaze into |
| ideas. The conqueror Tamerlane (1336-1405) was | | | | history. |
| born near present day Shahrisabz and created an | | | | Julia Feydman, has always been fascinated by the |
| empire that extended throughout Central Asia to | | | | history of the Great Silk Road. Over time, her passion |
| Turkey and south to the Ganges. Tamerlane was | | | | as well as many memorable trips to the area have |
| also a patron of the arts and transformed | | | | grown into a successful, U.S. based travel agency - |
| Samarkand into a magnificent capital for his empire. | | | | East Site, Inc. Central Asia Travel is one of the major |
| Importing artisans from conquered territories, He and | | | | routes her company specializes in. Visit her travel |
| later rulers commissioned majestic buildings many of | | | | website today and discover Uzbekistan for yourself! |