Population
The population of Uzbekistan is 22 million. 129 nations and nationalities live here: Uzbeks (71%), Russians (8%), Tadjiks (5%), Kazakhs (4%), Tatars (2%), Kara-kalpaks (2%) and many others. The urban population makes up 9 million (40%), the rural population - 13 million (60%). Nearly 5% of the population of Uzbekistan are children under the age of 18. The main city centres are: Tashkent - 2,1mln. residents, Samarkand -360 thousand, Namangan - 330 thousand, Andijan - 300 thousand, Bukhara - 240 thousand, Ferghana - 195 thousand, Kokand - 180 thousand. People of Uzbekistan have a high level of education and are very hard-working. The state language is Uzbek, many people speak Russian and very few - English.

From
17th century onwards Mawarannahr experienced deep social and economic decay. However, during this time people like Makhmudi Azim, Karabaghi, Abdulgizkhon, Turdi, Mashrab, Nodira, Uvaisiy, Gulkhani, Makhmudkuli, Berdakh and others acquired personal fame for their treatises and literary work. During the first half of the 19th century Muhammad Rakhimkhan paid a great deal of attention to history and literature in Khorezm, this was the time of Mums, Komil Khorezmiy, Agakhi, Bayani and others. During the second half of the 19th century the life of Turkestan is filled with great social, economic and political events. In the 1860's tzarist Russia began its conquest of Turkestan. During this period there were anti-colonial reform-minded enlightened movements that influenced the cultural and social life of Turkestan. Based on the culture of local people the enlightened movements were headed by the scientists and poets, Akhmad Danish, Furkhat, Avaz Otar and Mukimiy to name just a few. Great changes are a feature of Turkestan culture of this period. At the end of the 19th century Djadidizm appeared based in the enlightenment movement and began to put forward new education and enlightenment, social and cultural policies. Step by step the activities and work of well known djadids like Bekhbudi, Firtrat, Abduila Avioni, Munnavhar Kari, Khamza and others spread widely among the people. Magazines and newspapers, books and textbooks began to appear stimulating interest in and growth of the national historical and cultural heritage. This ensured significant growth of national consciousness, political and cultural maturity and a striving for an indepegdent way of development. The true grandeur of a nation is not determined by it's strength or it's size only but is best representated by it's real contribution to world civilization and spiritual richness. Uzbekistan can rightly be proud of her outstanding sons who, over a long period of time have made contributions not only in the areas of natural and human sciences but also in theology, literature and various arts.