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| − | {{Infobox Settlement
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| − | |official_name = Samarkand
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| − | |native_name =
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| − | |image_skyline = Registan - Samarkand - 15-10-2005.jpg
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| − | |imagesize = 300px
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| − | |image_caption = View of the Registan
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| − | |image_flag =
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| − | |image_seal =
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| − | |image_map =
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| − | |map_caption =
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| − | |pushpin_map = Uzbekistan
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| − | |pushpin_label_position =bottom
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| − | |pushpin_mapsize = 300
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| − | |pushpin_map_caption =Location in Uzbekistan
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| − | |subdivision_type = [[Countries of the world|Country]]
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| − | |subdivision_type1 = [[Provinces of Uzbekistan|Province]]
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| − | |subdivision_name = {{flag|Uzbekistan}}
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| − | |subdivision_name1 = [[Samarqand Province]]
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| − | |subdivision_type2 =
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| − | |subdivision_name2 =
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| − | |established_title =
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| − | |established_date =
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| − | |government_type =
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| − | |area_magnitude =
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| − | |area_total_sq_mi =
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| − | |area_total_km2 =
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| − | |area_land_sq_mi =
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| − | |area_land_km2 =
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| − | |area_urban_sq_mi =
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| − | |area_metro_km2 =
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| − | |area_metro_sq_mi =
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| − | |population_as_of=2005
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| − | |population_footnotes =
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| − | |population_total = 412,300
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| − | |population_urban =
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| − | |population_metro =
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| − | |population_density_sq_mi =
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| − | |timezone =
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| − | |utc_offset =
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| − | |timezone_DST =
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| − | |utc_offset_DST =
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| − | |latd=39|latm=39|lats=15|latNS=N
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| − | |longd=66|longm=57|longs=35|longEW=E
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| − | |elevation_footnotes=
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| − | |elevation_m = 702
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| − | }}
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| − | '''Samarkand''' ({{lang-uz|Samarqand, Самарқанд}}), is the second-largest city in [[Uzbekistan]] and the capital of [[Samarqand Province]]. One of the oldest cities of [[Central Asia]], the city is most noted for its position at the junction of trade routes on the [[Silk Road]] between [[China]], [[India]], and the West, and for being an early [[Islam]]ic center for scholarly study.
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| − | Samarkand revolted against its [[Mongol Empire|Mongol]] rulers in 1365, and became the capital of the empire of [[Timur]], during which time it made its most significant development and became the most important economic and cultural center in Central Asia. In Islamic literature, Samarkand has taken on a semi-mythological status and is often cited as truly representing Islamic [[philosophy]] and [[society]]. It is noted as a place of [[justice]], fairness, and righteous moderation. In [[literature]], Samarkand is portrayed as an archetype of romantic exoticism.
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| − | The city's historic section was designated a [[UNESCO]] [[World Heritage Site]] in 2001. Its most magnificent features are the ancient buildings' splendid portals, vast colored domes, and remarkable exterior decorations in [[majolica]], [[mosaic]], [[marble]], and [[gold]]. Listed by UNESCO as ''Samarkand - Crossroads of Cultures'', it is noted for its magnificent Islamic [[architecture]] whose influence can be seen from the [[Mediterranean Basin|Mediterranean]] to the [[India]]n subcontinent. Samarkand is also well noted for its contributions to [[Central Asia]]n [[culture|cultural]] and [[politics|political]] history from the thirteenth century onward.
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| − | ==Geography==
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| − | Samarkand derives its name from the [[Old Persian]] ''asmara'', "stone," "rock," and [[Sogdian language|Sogdian]] ''kand'', "fort," "town."
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| − | Samarkand is located in the valley of the [[Zeravshan River]], at an elevation of 2,375 feet (724 meters) above sea level. The land surrounding Samarkand is arid and windswept.
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| − | Samarkand has a mostly mid-latitude [[desert]] climate, with long, hot summers, and mild winters. The average maximum daytime [[temperature]] in January is 44°F (6°C), rising to an average maximum of around 92°F (33°C) in July. Mean annual precipitation is 9.2 inches (236mm).
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| − | Environmental issues relate to the heavy use of [[agrochemical]]s during the era under the [[Soviet Union]], when diversion of huge amounts of irrigation water from the two [[river]]s that feed [[Uzbekistan]], and the chronic lack of water treatment plants, have caused health and environmental problems on an enormous scale.
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| − | Samarkand comprises an old medieval city and a new area built after the Russian conquest in the 19th century.
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| − | ==History==
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| − | {|
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| − | [[Image:Samarqand.jpg|thumb|225px|Downtown Samarkand with Bibi Khanym mosque in the background.]]
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| − | [[Image:Prokudin-Gorskii-54.jpg|thumb|225px|[[Jew]]ish Children with their Teacher in Samarkand, early 1900s.]]
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| − | [[Image:Prokudin-Gorskii-52.jpg|thumb|right|225px|Fields near Samarkand.]]
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| − | [[Image:Ulugh Beg observatory.JPG|thumb|225px|right|Ulugh Beg's [[astronomy]] observatory, which in his time were lined with polished [[marble]] walls.]]
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| − | |}
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| − | Founded circa 700 B.C.E., Samarkand was the capital of the [[Sogdian]] [[satrap]]y under the [[Achaemenid dynasty]] of [[Persia]] when [[Alexander the Great]] conquered it in 329 B.C.E. Although a Persian-speaking region, it was not united politically with [[Iran]] between the times of Alexander and the [[Arab]] conquest. The Greeks referred to Samarkand as Maracanda.<ref name=CLG>''Columbia-Lippincott Gazeteer'' (New York: Columbia University Press, 1972 reprint)</ref>
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| − | In the sixth century it was within the domains of a [[Turkish people|Turkish]] kingdom. At the beginning of the eighth century, Samarkand came under Arab control. Under [[Abbasid]] rule, the legend says <ref>S. Quraishi. 1989. ''A survey of the development of papermaking in Islamic Countries''. Bookbinder. (3): 29-36.</ref>, the secret of [[paper|papermaking]] was obtained from two [[Han Chinese|Chinese]] prisoners from the [[Battle of Talas]] in 751, which led to the first [[paper mill]] in the [[Islam]]ic world to be founded in Samarkand. The invention then spread to the rest of the Islamic world, and from there to [[Europe]].
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| − | From the sixth to the 13th century, Samarkand grew steadily and was controlled by the [[Western Turkic Khaganate|Western Turks]], [[Arab]]s (who converted the area to [[Islam]]), Persian [[Samanid]]s, [[Kara-Khanid Khanate|Kara-Khanid]] Turks, [[Seljuk Turks]], [[Kara-Khitan Khanate|Kara-Khitan]], and [[Khorezmshah]] before being sacked by the [[Mongols]] under [[Genghis Khan]] in 1220. A small part of the population survived, but Samarkand suffered at least another Mongol sack by [[Baraq (Chagatai Khan)|Khan Baraq]] in his quest to obtain the treasure he needed with which to pay an army. The town took many decades to recover from these disasters.
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| − | [[Marco Polo]] (1254-1324), who recorded his journey along the [[Silk Road]], described Samarkand as a "a very large and splendid city..." He also related the story of the Christian church in Samarkand, which miraculously remained standing after a portion of its central supporting [[column]] was removed.
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| − | In 1365, a revolt against Mongol control occurred in Samarkand. In 1370, [[Timur|Timur the Lame]], or Tamerlane, decided to make Samarkand the capital of his empire, which extended from [[India]] to [[Turkey]]. During the next 35 years he built a new [[city]] and populated it with artisans and craftsmen from all of the places he had conquered. Timur gained a reputation as a patron of the arts and Samarkand grew to become the center of the region of [[Transoxiana]]. During this time the city had a population of about 150,000.<ref name=CLG/>
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| − | In 1499, the Uzbek Turks took control of Samarkand.<ref name=CLG/> The Shaybanids emerged as the Uzbek leaders at or about this time.
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| − | In the 16th century, the [[Shaybanids]] moved their capital to [[Bukhara]] and Samarkand went into decline. After an assault by the Persian king, [[Nadir Shah]] (1698–1747), the city was abandoned in the 18th century, about 1720 or a few years later.
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| − | From the 1720s to the 1770s, Samarkand was nearly deserted, and and the madrases on the Registan were turned into winter stables by [[nomad]]s. From 1784, Samarkand was ruled by the emirs of [[Bukhara]].<ref name=CLG/>
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| − | The city came under [[Russia]]n rule after the citadel had been taken by a force under Colonel [[Alexander Konstantinovich Abramov|Alexander Abramov]] in 1868. Shortly thereafter, the small Russian garrison of 500 men were themselves besieged. The assault, which was led by Abdul Malik Tura, the rebellious elder son of the [[Emirate of Bukhara|Bukharan Emir]], and ''[[Bek]]'' of [[Shahrisabz]], was beaten off with heavy losses. Abramov, now a general, became the first Governor of the Military [[Okrug]] which the Russians established along the course of the River [[Zeravshan]], with Samarkand as the administrative center. The Russian section of the city was built after this point, largely to the west of the old city.
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| − | The city later became the capital of the Samarkand [[Oblast]] of [[Russian Turkestan]] and grew in importance still further when the [[Trans-Caspian railway]] reached the city in 1888. It became the capital of the [[Uzbek SSR]] in 1925 before being replaced by [[Tashkent]] in 1930.
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| − | Since somewhat reluctant independence from the [[Soviet Union]] in August, 1991, [[Uzbekistan]] has struggled with Islamic [[terrorism|terrorist]] attacks, and authoritarian rule.
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| − | ==Government==
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| − | [[Uzbekistan]] is a republic noted for authoritarian presidential rule, with little power outside the executive branch. Uzbekistan is divided into 12 provinces ''(viloyatlar)''. Samarkand is the capital of the Samarqand ''Viloyati'', which is divided into 14 administrative districts. Uzbekistan has issues with [[terrorism]] by Islamic militants, economic stagnation, and the curtailment of [[human rights]].
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| − | ==Economy==
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| − | [[Uzbekistan]] in 2008 was the world's second-largest [[cotton]] exporter and fifth largest producer, relying heavily on cotton for export earnings, along with [[gold]], [[natural gas]], and [[petroleum|oil]]. Uzbekistan's per capita gross domestic product was estimated at $US2400 in 2007. Samarkand is the second largest center for economy, [[science]], and [[culture]] in Uzbekistan, after [[Tashkent]].
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| − | The Registan, Shahi Zindah, and other ancient sites should be swarming with tourists, but in 2008 there were few groups of foreigners gaping at the marvels. In a country where statistics are a state secret, it is unclear how many foreign tourists visit and what revenues they bring in.
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| − | Samarkand province has significant [[natural resource]]s, including [[marble]], [[granite]], [[limestone]], [[carbonate]], and [[chalk]]. Main [[agriculture|agricultural]] activities include cotton and [[cereal]] growing, [[wine]]making and [[sericulture]] (the rearing of [[silkworm]]s for the production of raw [[silk]]). Industry involves manufacturing spare parts for [[automobile]]s and combines, food processing, [[textile]]s, and [[ceramics]].
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| − | ==Demographics==
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| − | The city's [[population]] in 2005 was 412,300 people. Dark-haired Uzbeks make up 80 percent of Uzbekistan's population, while Russians make up 5.5 percent, Tajiks 5 percent, Kazakhs 3 percent, Karakalpak 2.5 percent, Tatar 1.5 percent, other 2.5 percent.
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| − | Most speak Uzbek (74.3 percent), while 14.2 percent speak [[Russian language|Russian]], 4.4 percent Tajik, and 7.1 percent speak other [[language]]s. Most (88 percent) are [[Sunni Muslim]]s, 9 percent are [[Eastern Orthodox]], and the remainder adhere to other [[religion]]s.
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| − | The Institute of Archeology at the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan is based at Samarqand.
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| − | ==Society and culture ==
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| − | {{Infobox World Heritage Site
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| − | | WHS = Samarkand – Crossroads of Culture
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| − | | Image = [[Image:Storks samarkand.jpg|225px|Ulugh Beg Madrasa]]
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| − | | State Party = {{UZB}}
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| − | | Type = Cultural
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| − | | Criteria = i, ii, iv
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| − | | ID = 603
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| − | | Region = [[List of World Heritage Sites in Asia and Australasia|Asia-Pacific]]
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| − | | Year = 2001
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| − | | Session = 25th
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| − | | Link = http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/603
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| − | }}
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| − | Notable People born in Samarkand include [[Babur]] Al-Sultan al-'Azam wal Khaqan al-Mukarram Zahir ud-din Muhammad Jalal ud-din Babur Padshah Ghazi (first ruler of [[Mughal Empire|Mughal]] [[India]]), Qulich Khan Siddiqi and Ghazi Uddin Khan Siddiqi, father and grandfather of Nizam I (Qamaruddin Siddiqi Asaf Jah I of [[Hyderabad]] India), and [[Islom Karimov]], President of [[Uzbekistan]].
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| − | ===Places of interest===
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| − | The Registan Square, the age old intersection of the [[Silk Road]] trade routes, is the reason why people come to Samarkand. It is the centerpiece of the city is one of the most important monuments of [[Islam]]ic arts. Although the old center has not really survived, you can find reminders of the greatness of the rulers of Samarkand, especially [[Ulughbek]] and [[Timur|Tamerlane]], all over town. There is the Khodja Abdi Darun Shrine, the Chupan Ata Shrine, and a central bazaar street market. Other buildings and sites of interest include:
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| − | * [[Bibi Khanym Mosque]], which was built between 1399 and 1404 by [[Timur]] using precious stones captured during his conquest of [[India]], was one of the Islamic world's largest mosques which crumbled for centuries before collapsing in an 1897 earthquake.
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| − | * Ulugh Beg Observatory, which is a small [[museum]] of [[astronomy]] that stands on the remains of the observatory of Ulugh-Beg, a Timurid ruler and astronomer.
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| − | * The Shahr-i-Zindar Monuments, which are tombs belonging to [[Timur]] and his family and favorites that are decorated with the city's finest majolica tilework.
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| − | * The Sher Dor, Ulugbek, and Tillya Kori Madrasahs, which are the three [[Muslim]] clergy academies surrounding the Registan.
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| − | * The Afrasiab, which is the site of an ancient settlement that existed more than two thousand years ago.
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| − | * The Gur Emir Mausoleum, which is the grave of [[Timur]], built in 1404.
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| − | ==Looking to the future==
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| − | Samarkand's old buildings stand as monuments to vanished glory—in 1370 it was the capital of [[Timur]]'s empire while in 1770 it was nearly deserted. While [[Uzbekistan]] struggles with acts of [[terrorism]] perpetrated by [[Islam]]ic militants, economic stagnation, and the curtailment of [[human rights]], Samarkand's famous buildings could attract a steady flow of international visitors each year, which could be a goldmine for the city's economy.
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| − | <center>
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| − | {|
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| − | [[Image:Minaret in Samarkand.jpg|thumb|210px|A minaret in Samarkand.]]
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| − | [[Image:SamarkandTillaKari.jpg|thumb|200px|Decorations inside Tilla-Kari Medressa, Samarkand.]]
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| − | [[Image:SamarkandBibiKhanym.jpg|thumb|200px|Bibi Khanym Mosque façade.]]
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| − | |}
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| − | </center>
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| − | ==Notes==
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| − | <references/>
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| − | ==References==
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| − | * Allworth, Edward. 1990. ''The modern Uzbeks: from the fourteenth century to the present: a cultural history.'' Stanford, CA: Hoover Institution Press, Stanford University. ISBN 0817987312
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| − | * Clanchy, Kate. 1999. ''Samarkand''. London: Picador. ISBN 9780330371940
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| − | * Nedvetsky, Andrei G. 1992. ''Samarkand''. Reading: Garnet. ISBN 9781873938423
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| − | * Rall, Ted. 2006. ''Silk road to ruin: is Central Asia the new Middle East?'' New York: NBM. ISBN 1561634549
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| − | * ''UNESCO World Heritage Centre''. [http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/603 Samarkand – Crossroads of Cultures] Retrieved October 13, 2008.
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| − | * ''World Fact Book''. 2008. [https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/uz.html Uzbekistan] Retrieved October 9, 2008.
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| − | == External links ==
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| − | All Links Retrieved October 11, 2008.
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| − | {{commons|Samarkand}}
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| − | * Iranica. [http://www.iranica.com/newsite/articles/sup/Samarqand.html The history of Samarkand] Retrieved October 11, 2008.
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| − | * [http://www.visituzbekistan.eu/Samarkand.html Samarkand] visit uzbekistan.eu, retrieved October 11, 2008.
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| − | * [http://www.visitcentralasia.eu/uzbekistan/samarkand.htm Samarkand Facts] Retrieved October 11, 2008.
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| − | * [http://gallery.bittabola.com/ Photos of Samarkand and Uzbekistan] Retrieved October 11, 2008.
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| − | * [http://www.murder-in-samarkand.com Murder in Samarkand] by Craig Murray, retrieved October 11, 2008.
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| − | [[Category:Geography]]
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| − | [[Category:Cities]]
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| − | [[Category:Asia]]
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| − | [[Category:World Heritage Sites]]
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| − | {{credit|Samarkand|240297253|}}
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