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The ancient city of Tashkent is the capital of the Republic of Uzbekistan, and is widely recognized as the heart of Central Asia. It is nestled at the foot of the majestic West Tien Shan Mountains, and it had in the past served as a chief link between Europe and Asia - known as a part of the famous Silk Road. Its rich history has left a definite imprint on its culture and architecture, influenced by both its Soviet and Muslim heritages, making it a prime destination for tourists in the region.

The city traces its existence way back to the 1st millennium BC, as a center of export of cotton and textile merchandise to Europe. It was in the 11th century that it officially adopted the familiar name Tashkent, which literally means "stone fortress."

Unfortunately, much of the city was almost completely leveled by a massive earthquake in 1966 that rendered an estimated 300,000 Uzbeks homeless and forever altered its landscape. Since the disaster, the city has been rebuilt with the aid of the Soviets as an attractive and bustling metropolis featuring beautiful Soviet-style infrastructure and an ever-evolving vibrant night life.

Tashkent takes great pride in being the possessor of what is one of the oldest copies of the Quran on the planet. Believed to date as far back as 655 BC, the Uthman Quran is an important religious and historical heritage held in the library of the Telyashayakh Mosque. The town is also famous for having the largest collection of ancient manuscripts and documents in Central Asia. So, naturally, tourists will find a plethora of museums and other historical centers dotting its entire landscape. Some important examples are the Navoi Museum, which is said to contain a staggering 8 million books, the Museum of Uzbek Art, featuring a huge collection of artifacts of Central Asian origin, and the History Museum, the country's biggest museum in terms of area.

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