The capital of Uzbekistan is Tashkent, the largest and most dynamic city in Central Asia. A multi-ethnic metropolis of over 2 million inhabitants, Tashkent was largely rebuilt after the 1966 earthquake and is now an pleasant city with wide tree-lined boulevards, large parks, modern and 19th century style Russian buildings.

Things to see include some 16th and 17th century madrassahs (Moslem theological schools), the bazaar, some traditional craft centres and several excellent museums such as the Fine Arts Museum and the Museum of Applied Arts with its interesting Uzbek architecture. It is also worth taking a trip on Tashkent's attractive and efficient metro system.