part of the Ural mountains. The area of the republic is 143.6 square kilometres, the population is over 4 million people. Many nationalities inhabit Bashkortostan, Bashkirs, Russians and Tatars are the most numerous among them.
The natural riches of the republic include iron ore, copper, zinc, oil and natural gas. Bashkortostan is one of the major industrial centers of Russia. Among the leading branches are oil refining, petrochemical, chemical and microbiological.
Bashkortostan ranks among the leading agricultural regions. Plant growing and cattle breeding are on a high level here. Our republic is a great producer of grain and vegetable crops, wheat, rye, buckwheat, barley, oats and millet. Our farmers successfully grow different vegetables: potatoes, tomatoes, cucumbers, sugar beet, onions, cabbage, etc. Bashkir farmers breed cows, sheep, pigs and poultry. Horse breeding, cattle breeding and bee keeping are traditional occupations of Bashkirs.
The nature of our republic is very beautiful. Forests cover more than 40 per cent of its territory. Clean rivers and lakes are a nice place for people to rest. No wonder, that people from different parts of Russia come to Bashkir health resorts, rest homes and tourist camps.
The capital of Bashkortostan Ufa was founded in 1574. Now it is a big beautiful city, the centre of political, economic and cultural changes in the republic. All principal higher educational institutions are concentrated in Ufa. The city has five theatres, a lot of cinemas, several museums and centres of entertainment.
8.1 Dialogues
- What bus will take me to Nesterov museum?
- I advise you to go on foot. It’s not far from here.
- Can you explain the way, please?
- No problem. Turn left at the crossroads and go straight on for 100 or 120 metres. Nesterov museum will be on your right.
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