Uzbekistan is in the centre of Central Asia. Its area is 447,400 sq km (square kilometres). The population is now about 37 million (the book gives 32.5 million for 2018). The capital is Tashkent. Important rivers: the Amu Darya (about 2,400 km), the Syr Darya (about 2,200 km), the Zarafshan (877 km). The highest peak is Khazret Sultan (4,643 m). The Chimgan Mountains are near Tashkent (3,309 m at the highest point) and are popular for rest and winter sports. The Kyzylkum Desert is a large desert. The Aral Sea is in the west of Uzbekistan; it is now very small. The Fergana Valley in the east is densely populated. Questions: “How long is the Zarafshan?” “How high is Khazret Sultan?” Article: use the with rivers, seas, deserts and mountain ranges; no the with lakes and single mountains: Lake Aydar, Mount Khazret Sultan.
Worked examples
“Uzbekistan”. Uzbekistan is in the centre of Central Asia. Its area is 447,400 square kilometres. The country has high mountains in the east, a big desert, the Kyzylkum, in the middle, and two important rivers, the Amu Darya and the Syr Darya. The Aral Sea is in the west, but it is not big now. People like to go hiking and skiing in the Chimgan Mountains near Tashkent.
— Where’s the Aral Sea? — It’s in the west of Uzbekistan. — How high is Khazret Sultan? — It’s 4,643 metres high.
Class activity
“Where’s …?”: pairs ask each other using a map: “Where’s the Aral Sea?” — “It’s in the west of Uzbekistan.”
Practice
1
Make a question: Zarafshan / long
How long is the Zarafshan?
2
The highest mountain in Uzbekistan?
Khazret Sultan (4,643 m)
3
the or – (no article): ___ Kyzylkum Desert; ___ Lake Aydar
the; no article
4
Why is the Aral Sea small now?
Much water from the Amu Darya and Syr Darya was used for irrigation, so less reached the sea.