"Samarkand" Natural Recordings by Native Speakers
Samarkand is a city located in modern-day Uzbekistan, in the region of Transoxiana, which was a key crossroads of the ancient Silk Road, a major trade route that connected China with the Mediterranean region. The city's name is derived from the name of the Sogdian word "Samerakand," which means "stone fort."
Samarkand is known for its rich history and cultural heritage, including its many historical monuments, such as:
1. Registan Square: A grand public square surrounded by three madrasahs (Islamic schools) and a mosque.
2. Bibi-Khanym Mosque: A magnificent mosque built in the 14th century, one of the largest mosques in the Islamic world.
3. Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum: A mausoleum built for the grandson of the emir Timur (also known as Tamerlane), a Turco-Mongol ruler who founded the Timurid Empire.
4. Shah-i-Zinda Necropolis: A famous cemetery featuring blue-tiled mausoleums and tombstones.
5. Ulugh Beg Observatory: A medieval astronomical observatory built in the early 15th century.
Samarkand has been an important center of art, literature, science, and culture throughout history, and its architecture reflects a blend of Islamic, Persian, and Russian influences.
Samantha is a feminine given name and a word that can be used to refer to a person of any sex, similar to a generic term "Sam." It refers to a sweet, affectionate short form of various feminine given names, such as Amelia, Samuel, and Catherine among others.<br><br>The name Samantha is composed of the elements Sammy and Antia, where Antia is a derivative of the two ancient elements "Sam," meaning "listener," and "Antia," meaning "rival." The name became more popular in the Eastern United States in the United States in the early eighties, after it was featured in the novel and film of "Samantha," a 1971 novel by Victoria Christopher, about a teenage girl who dies and returns as a ghost, and is taken in by her wealthy employers.
A person who shows mercy or kindness to someone in need, especially someone who is considered weak or vulnerable. <br><br>Example: "He was a good Samaritan who stopped to help the stranded driver on the side of the road."<br><br>Synonyms: good neighbor, benefactor, philanthropist, do-gooder.
The Sambadrome (or Sambadrome Marquês de Sapucaí) is a massive, 700-meter-long (2,300 ft) what in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It is a specifically designed track for parades of the samba schools during the Carnaval celebrations. The Sambadrome is U-shaped with a slight incline, with 7 sections (ordeirias), each divided into squares for the samba schools to parade in front of a large audience.