Culture

Uzbekistan has a wide mix of ethnic groups and cultures, with the Uzbek being the majority group. In 1996, about 80% of Uzbekistan's population was Uzbek. The chief minority groups were Russians (5.5%), Tajiks (officially 5%, but believed to be much higher), Kazaks (3%), Karakalpaks (2.5%) and Tatars (1.5%). It is said however that the number of non-indigenous people living in Uzbekistan is decreasing as Russians and other minority groups slowly leave and Uzbeks return from other parts of the former Soviet Union.

Sport

Uzbekistan is home to former racing cyclist Djamolidine Abdoujaparov, who won the points contest in the Tour de France 3 times, each time winning the coveted green jersey (second to the yellow jersey). Abdoujaparov would often 'sprint' in the final kilometre and had a reputation as being dangerous in bunch sprints as he would weave side to side. This reputation earned him the nickname 'The Terror of Tashkent'.

Uzbekistan is also the home of the International Kurash Association. Kurash is a traditional form of upright jacket wrestling native to Uzbekistan, practiced since ancient times.