Office of Intergovernmental Relations
600 Fourth Avenue, 5th Floor
P.O. Box 94746
Seattle, WA   98124-4746
(206) 684-8055

Seattle International Sister City:
Tashkent, Uzbekistan
(Sister City established in 1973)

Population: 2,300,000
Religion: Muslim, Russian Orthodox
Language: Uzbek, Russian
Industry: Mining equipment, Tobacco, Chemical products, Textiles
Exports: Cotton, Food products
Climate: Arid and semi-arid

Tashkent, with a multi-ethnic population of 2.3 million, is the largest city in Central Asia and the capital of the new Republic of Uzbekistan. Uzbekistan borders on Kazakhstan, Kyrgystan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, and Turkmenistan. Tashkent is a desert city on the legendary "Silk Road" trade route that connected China and Europe for thirteen centuries. In 1220 the city became part of the empire of Genghis Khan and after that part of the Russian empire in 1865. With the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991, Tashkent became the capital of independent Uzbekistan.

In 1966 an earthquake destroyed most of the city. Now it is an industrial and cultural hub of Central Asia with a diverse economy. Irrigation projects have turned desert land into fields that produce fruit, vegetables and cotton.

The Seattle-Tashkent Association, established in 1973, was the first US-Soviet sister city affiliation. Over the years it has organized exchanges with school children and teachers, mountain climbers, physicians, chefs, lawyers, broadcasters, and folk dancers. In 1988 the association and Plowshares Peace Corps volunteers organized the entire Seattle community in the design and creation of the Seattle Peace Park in Tashkent. The association maintains an active program with its many friends in Tashkent during this time of transition to independence.

Sister City Association Contact Info:
Dan Peterson, President
21704 37th Pl. West
Brier, WA 98036
425-672-4469
email: dlpeterson@aol.com
Sister City Association Website

Content contact: Kristine Kertson

Page last updated: February 14, 2007