III. Answer the questions about the text
The Astrakhan Region
I. Read the words:
| region | |
| south | |
| major | |
| junction | |
| the Caspian Sea | |
| Kazakhstan | |
| Central Asia | |
| Northern Caucasus | |
| Iran | |
| neighboring | |
| climatic | |
| semi-desert | |
| ambient | |
| temperature | |
| nationality | |
| foreign | |
| primarily | |
| deposit | |
| gypsum | |
| ceramzites | |
| sturgeon | |
| enterprise | |
| unique | |
| hydrogen | |
| entrepreneurship | |
| lyceum | |
| affiliate | |
| mosque | |
| church | |
| masterpiece | |
| bio-sphere preserve | |
| environmental | |
| research |
II. Read the text.
The Astrakhan Region
The Astrakhan Region is located in the South-West part of Russia in the lower reaches of the Volga River and the North coast of the Caspian Sea. In the west the Region borders on the Kalmykia republic, in the north on the Volgograd region, in the east on the republic of Kazakhstan, in the south it is washed by the waters of the Caspian Sea. Its area is 44,1 thousand square kilometers.
The Region has 11 administrative Areas. There are 5 cities and towns, 13 townships and 140 rural settlements in the Region.
The Regional Center is the city of Astrakhan situated on both banks of the Volga River. It is a major industrial and cultural center, a sea and river port. It is also a major transport junction linking Russia, to Kazakhstan, Central Asia, Northern Caucasus and Iran (via the Caspian Sea).
Natural conditions of the Region are mainly determined by the joint influence of the Delta rivers and the Caspian Sea. A large number of sunny days during the year and the neighbouring steppes of Kalmykia and Kazakhstan make the climate of the Region continental despite the proximity of the sea. Three climatic zones can be singled out in the Region territory: zone of hot and dry semi-desert climate, zone of extremely dry and hot desert climate, zone of moderate intermediate climate in the Volga River delta. The average ambient temperature is plus 9,5 °C, the maximum temperature - plus 42°C, the lowest - minus 40°C.
The Astrakhan Region is a multinational one. There are over one million inhabitants including Russians, Kazakhs, Tatars and Ukrainians. Besides there are over 100 less numerous nationalities in the Region.
The Region’s economic development and foreign economic activities are primarily determined by the geographic situation and natural resources.
Large deposits of oil and gas, silica clays, construction materials such as gypsum, lime-stone, clays, ceramzites, silica sands, etc. are found in the Astrakhan Region territory.
In terms offish resources and seafood, Astrakhan ranks high among Russian regions. It is also the major producer of sturgeon and caviar.
The Astrakhan Region is one of the most industrialized regions in Russia. There are many enterprises here. The most important of them are shipyards, ship-repairing plants, paper mill the gas processing complex which is about 80 km to the North of the city. The Astrakhan gas-condensate field is the largest in Europe. The gas has a high condensate content and it is unique as for its hydrogen sulfide content.
Fishing industry is also well developed in our Region. Tinned fish famous dilicious caviar, smoked and dried fish find many other fish products are produced at the fish processing plants.
Our Region is famous for its vegetables growing. The Astrakhan fresh tomatoes and water-melons are well-known for their taste while their tinned products are in great demand in our country.
Astrakhan is a city of high cultural level. Shaliapin and Sobinov were singing in its theatres. Famous Russian singers – Maksakova, Barsova, Petrov; Milashkina were born here. .Astrakhan had one of the first Russian universities which helped the development of scientific activities in the Region.
Nowadays Astrakhan is an educational center. At present the education and training system is reoriented for the new situation in the social sphere. Specialized study groups arc formed and operate at schools and institutions of further education for training in the basics of entrepreneurship, business and management. In the vocational training system schools arc reorganized as Lyceums and polytechnic colleges. There are five institutions of higher learning, two affiliate, of such institutions, one affiliate of die Volgograd Academy of Management, , two non-state institutions of higher learning a 31 research institutes operating in the Astrakhan Region.
The Astrakhan Region is a promising area for tourism and recreation.
There are many places of interest in Astrakhan, for example, a wonderful Kremlin, an architectural monument of the 16-th century, a lot of churches, monastery and mosque ensembles, civic buildings with a very interesting architectural designs. Five museums of various specializations (local nature, history and economy, historical, devoted to famous people) are located here.
The Astrakhan Kustodiev picture gallery is one of the oldest galleries in Russia. Now it has a unique collection which includes masterpieces by famous Russian artists, such as Levitan, Nesterov, Korovin, Rerikh, Serov and other famous painters. There is also a large collection of works by the "Russian avant-garde artists, such well-know names Kandinsky, Malevich and Shagal.
The Astrakhan Region has favourable conditions for rest and recreation.
It is necessary to mention the Astrakhan state bio-sphere preserve, located in the Volga River delta. It is a center of international environmental tourism and a major research, institution At present there are about 50 preserve zones in the Region protected thy the State, which are used can be used for organizing bird-watching, fishing and hunting tours.
III. Answer the questions about the text.
1. Where is the Astrakhan Region located?
2. Whatis its area?
3. How many cities and town arc there in the Region?
4. What is the city of .Astrakhan?
5. How can the Region climate be characterized?
6. What climatic zones can be singled out in die Region territory?
7. Is the Astrakhan Region a multinational one?
8. What natural resources are mined in the Region territory?
9. What can you say about economic development of the Astrakhan Region?
10. Why is our Region famous, for its vegetables?
11. Astrakhan is a city of high cultural level, isn’t it?
12. Why is Astrakhan called an educational center?
13. What places of interest can you recommend for tourists?