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

SAMARKAND

 

is one of the most ancient cities of the world. 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 and the seat of historical and cultural traditions of the peoples of .

Samarkand had a difficult and, at times, contra­dictory 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, J the Ishrat-khana mausoleum and the Ulugbek, I Sherdor and Tillya-Kari madrasahs in Registan I square. The creations of the people's genius and 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 to Termez.

The population of 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 . It sprawls in the picturesque valley of the .

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

It is a major scientific and industrial centre of . It has a 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 is making tremendous progress.

 

Questions

1. Why did play an important role in the economic ties between the East and the West?

2. Who are some of the famous people who lived in or passed through ?

what river valley does lie?

4. How many different nationalities live in ?

Answers

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

2Samarkand had a difficult and, at times, contra­dictory 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, J the Ishrat-khana mausoleum and the Ulugbek, I Sherdor and Tillya-Kari madrasahs in Registan I square.

4 The population of 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 . It sprawls in the picturesque valley of the .

Grammar exercises:

Exercise 1.

line "was" or "were" to complete each sentence.

The man (was, were) my friend. 9. They (was, were) too small.

We (was, were) very sad. 10. The boys (was, were) punished

Louis (was, were) the winner. 11. It (was, were) too late.

The box (was, were) empty. 12. Three books (was, were) stolen.

The workers (was, were) angry. 13. I (was, were) frightened.

He (was, were) a doctor. 14. The money (was, were) gone.

The children (was, were) happy. 15. My friends (was, were) hungry.

8. My aunt (was, were) there.