Bukhara
Bukhara (/bʊˈxɑːrə/ buu-KHAR-ə; Uzbek and Tajik: Бухоро, romanized: Buxoro, pronounced [buχɒrɒ]; Persian: بخارا) is the seventh-largest city in Uzbekistan by population, with 280,187 residents as of 1 January 2020. It is the capital of Bukhara Region. The mother tongue of the majority of people of Bukhara is the Tajik dialect of the Persian language, although Uzbek is spoken as a second language by most residents.
Bukhara
Бухоро / Buxoro (Uzbek) بخارا (Persian) Бухара | |
|---|---|
City | |
From top, left to right: Po-i-Kalyan Mosque with the Kalyan Minaret in the middle, Ismail Samani Mausoleum, Ark of Bukhara, Chor Minor, and Panoramic sunset view around Po-i-Kalyan Mosque and Ark of Bukhara | |
Bukhara Location in Uzbekistan Bukhara Bukhara (West and Central Asia) | |
| Coordinates: 39°46′00″N 64°25′23″E | |
| Country | Uzbekistan |
| Region | Bukhara |
| Founded | 6th century BC |
| First mention | 500 AD |
| Government | |
| • Type | City Administration |
| • Hakim (Mayor) | Jamol Nosirov |
| Area | |
| • City | 143.0 km2 (55.213 sq mi) |
| • Urban | 73.0 km2 (28.2 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 225 m (738 ft) |
| Population (2020) | |
| • City | 280,187 |
| • Density | 2,000/km2 (5,100/sq mi) |
| Demonym(s) | Bukharan Bukharian |
| Time zone | GMT +5 |
| Postcode | 2001ХХ |
| Area code | (+998) 65 |
| Vehicle registration | 20 (previous to 2008) 80-84 (2008 and newer) |
| HDI (2018) | 0.734 · 5th high |
| Website | www |
UNESCO World Heritage Site | |
| Official name | Historic Centre of Bukhara |
| Type | Cultural |
| Criteria | ii, iv, vi |
| Designated | 1993 |
| Reference no. | 602 |
| Region | Asia |
People have inhabited the region around Bukhara for at least five millennia, and the city has existed for half that time. Located on the Silk Road, the city has long served as a center of trade, scholarship, culture, and religion. Bukhara served as the capital of the Samanid Empire, Khanate of Bukhara, and Emirate of Bukhara. It was the birthplace of the scholar Imam Bukhari. The city has been known as "Noble Bukhara" (Bukhārā-ye sharīf). Bukhara has about 140 architectural monuments. UNESCO has listed the historic center of Bukhara (which contains numerous mosques and madrasas) as a World Heritage Site.