Fill in the gaps with necessary phrases or words.

Moscow

You can hardly imagine the history of Russia without Moscow. Moscow is the capital of Russia, its administrative, economic, political and educational center. It is the largest metropolitan area in Russia with the population of about 10 million people, one of the largest cities in the world. The city is situated on the low hills on the banks of the Moscow river. Its total area is about nine hundred square kilometers.

The original settlement of Moscow was founded where the Kremlin now stands by Prince Yuri Dolgoruky. It was first mentioned in the Chronicles in 1147. It is the official date of the foundation of Moscow, though the settlement had been there some time before.

Then it was fortified and in the late 12^th century it became a market town. The town was almost totally destroyed in 1237 and 1239 during the Tatar invasion. In the early 14^th century Moscow became the political and religious center of the north-eastern part of Russia. It was again captured by the Tatars in 1382. By the end of the 15^th century Moscow extended its rule over most of central and northern Russia. Its rulers continued to build fortifications around it.

In the 16^th century, under Ivan the Terrible, Moscow became the capital of the state of Muscovy. In the 18^th century Peter the Great transferred the capital to St.Petersburg. This transfer brought a period of decline to Moscow. But it remained the heart of Russia. That is why it was the main target of Napoleon’s attack in 1812. During the war three quarters of the city were destroyed by the fire. But by the middle of the 19^th century Moscow was completely rebuilt and it became the center for industry and commerce, as well as a leading cultural, scientific and political center.

After the October Revolution Moscow received again the status of capital of the USSR, and then, in 1991, of Russia.

The present day Moscow is the seat of the government of the Russian Federation. President of Russia lives and works here; government offices are located here, too.

Also, Moscow is Russia’s largest industrial city. Nearly 30 percent of the city’s workforce is employed in industry.

Moscow is a leading cultural center as well. It is the seat of the Academy of Sciences. Russian largest University, over 80 scientific research institutions, technical colleges and academies of music and art are situated here. There is the Lenin Library with one of the largest and richest archives in the world, over 80 museums, the famous Bolshoi and Maly Theatres.

Moscow is the main tourist attraction, where everyone can admire its straight and broad streets, theatres and museums, parks and squares, monuments for famous people, churches and cathedrals. The heart of Moscow is Red Square where Kremlin is situated.

In 1997 the city of white stone and golden domes celebrated the 850^th anniversary.

Questions to the text:

1 . Where is Moscow situated?

1. Who founded the original settlement of Moscow?

2. Who and when destroyed Moscow?

3. When did Moscow receive the status of capital?

4. Why was there a period of decline in Moscow in the 18^th century?

5. Why was Moscow the main target for Napoleon?

6. What is the present-day Moscow?

7. When was the 850^th anniversary of Moscow?

Fill in the gaps with necessary phrases or words.

1. Moscow is Russian …. Center. 2. The total area of Moscow is … . 3. … by Prince Yuri Dolgoruky. 4. … during the Tatar invasion. 5. In the 18^th century Peter the Great … and this brought … . 6. After the October Revolution Moscow received … .

Date: 2015-12-11; view: 3102