1st September: Uzbekistan Independence Day

Uzbekistan Independence Day - so here are ten things you might not know about this country:

1. Uzbekistan is one of only two doubly landlocked countries in the world, ie completely surrounded by other landlocked countries. The other is Liechtenstein.
2. Bordering Kazakhstan to the north and northwest, Turkmenistan to the southwest, Tajikistan to the southeast, and Kyrgystan to the northeast, Uzbekistan is one of the largest Central Asian states and the only Central Asian state to border all the other four. It also has a short border with Afghanistan.
3. Tashkent is the capital and largest city. The name means "city of stone", and is home to the Uthman Qur'an, the oldest Qur'an in the world.
4. Another well-known city is Samarkand - which means "Stone Fort" or "Rock Town", and it is one of the oldest inhabited cities in the region, having been located along the Silk Road. Located here is Ruhabad, a 14th century mausoleum which is said to contain a hair of the Prophet Muhammad.
5. The highest point in Uzbekistan is the Khazret Sultan, at 4,643 metres (15,233 ft) above sea level, and the lowest point is Mynbulak (-12.8 meters below sea level).
6. The national dish is palov, often shortened to plov, made with meat, Rice, grated Carrots and Onions. It is also eaten for breakfast at occasions where there are large numbers of guests, such as a wedding.
7. The national beverage is green tea, although in Tashkent, people drink black tea. Visit a household in Uzbekistan and it's likely you'll be offered a cup of Tea - a choice between Green or Black. People drink tea with every meal, without milk or sugar.
8. While on the subject of food, Uzbekistan has some superstitions connected with Bread. It is unlucky to turn a loaf of bread upside down. Also, when a family member is going on a journey, they traditionally take a bite from a small piece of bread. The remaining bread is buried or hidden until they return home.
9. It is an Uzbek tradition that the most respected guest is seated farthest from the house’s entrance.
10. When greeting a woman, it would be considered rude to shake her hand (although handshakes between two men are fine). The accepted greeting to a woman is to place your right hand over your heart and bow.