They speak Uzbek, the country's official language, which is related to Turkish. The Russians speak Russian and live mainly in cities. Many non-Russians also speak Russian because the Soviet government encouraged people to learn the language when Uzbekistan was a Soviet republic. Russian remains part of the school curriculum. Most people in Uzbekistan are Muslims.
Most rural dwellers are farmers.
Most rural homes are made of sun-dried earthen bricks. Many of them have no indoor plumbing or central heating. City dwellers live in single-story homes and multistory apartment buildings. The people of Uzbekistan wear both traditional and Western-style clothing. Traditional dress for men includes long robes and black boots.