The history of Uzbekistan, its culture, statehood, and foreign economy started about two millennia ago. Uzbekistan's people fought for their beloved country against foreign invaders for many centuries. This country played a very important role because Samarkand (the first capital city) was located in heart of the Silk Road. Then during the times of the Samanids and the Timurids, Uzbekistan was involved in many international economic relations. In pre-Islamic times, Zoroastrianism (the religion founded by Zoroaster, established in Avesta, teaching the worship of Ahura Mazda in the context of a universal struggle between the forces of light and darkness) was born in the territory of Uzbekistan (in Khoresm). But after the Arabs conquered Maverannahr, the religion of the people changed to Islam.

In 1220-1221 Central Asia could not withstand the invasion of Genghis-Khan's army. Many cities, such as Bukhara, Khoresm, and Samarkand were destroyed. Thousands of people died (in Samarkand, only 50,000 out of a population of one million survived). But in the middle of the 14th century, Tamerlane, a warlord, freed the Uzbek people from the Mongols. Later, Uzbek nomadic tribes invaded the north, and conquered the small lands of the Timurids and built their own state which was named Uzbekistan. The term "Uzbek" means "master" or "lord" of oneself.

In the 19th century Bukhara, Khiva and Kokand joined the Russian Empire. In this period Uzbekistan had a well-developed agriculture because Uzbekistan grew its own cotton instead of importing it from the United States. Cotton was very important to Uzbekistan's economy. Also railroads, the development of trade, and cultural relations between Asia and Europe helped the country with its economy.

In 1917, the Russian Revolution changed the political situation in Turkeston and Uzbekistan became one of the republics of the USSR in the 1920's. After 69 years of hard work, Uzbekistan announced its Independence on September 1st, 1991.

After independence, Uzbekistan's economy still relied mainly on agriculture, especially cotton. As a result, Uzbekistan became one of the world's largest producers and exporters of cotton. Because the land was used mostly for cotton, Uzbekistan produced few other crops, thus importing most of the necessary grains and other foods. Recently, Uzbekistan has been attempting to change its economic reliance on cotton, but its short-term needs for hard currency make it harder to happen.

I think Uzbekistan's history is very interesting. It helps me understand alot about my people and my country. Ancient cities like Bukhara and Samarkand, visited by many people throughout the world today, are examples of Uzbekistan's rich history. I hope its future will be better than the past.