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SAMARKAND
Samarkand is one of the most ancient cities of the world. Samarkand stood at the cross-roads of caravan routes and played an important role in the economic' ties of the countries of the East. Many centuries ago, it was a centre of ancient civilization. Modern Samarkand is a city of Uzbekistan ranking second after Tashkent the capital, the city of Samarkand covers 77,9sq/, and population numbers over half million.

Samarkand had a difficult history. The city is associated with the names of Alexander the Great, the Arab general Kuteib ibn Muslim, the terrible conquerors Genghis Khan and Amir Temur and the astronomer Ulugbek. Visitors who come to this city admire the artistic talent and skill of the ancient architects who created such amazing structures as the Shakhi-Zinda ensemble, and the Bibikhanim mosque, the Gur-Emir mausoleum, the Ishrat-khana mausoleum and the Ulugbek, Sherdor and Tillya-Kari madrasahs in Registan square.

Skills have deservedly become part of the treasury of world architecture.

Samarkand today is a regional administrative centre of Uzbekistan. The city also stands on the highway from Tashkent to Termez.

The population of Samarkand is more than 525,000. It is a.multinational'city and its popula­tions is comprised of people of 90 nationalities. The city occupies an area of 15,000 hectares. It sprawls in the picturesque valley of the Zarafshan River.

The main waterways in the city are the Zarafshan River and the Darghom, Siab and Shaudor canals.

It is a major scientific and industrial centre of Uzbekistan. It has a lot of university and seven other ins­titutions of higher learning, eight research centres, many plants and factories, libraries, museums and theatres.

As elsewhere in the country housing construc­tion in Samarkand is making tremendous progress.