WATER

To truly grasp the enduring beauty and complexity of the Samarkand region, one must look beneath the surface—literally—to its lifeblood: water. Viewed through a historical lens, the irrigation systems here tell a story as intricate and enduring as the web of canals that have sustained life for millennia.

Nestled in the fertile oasis of the Zeravshan Valley, Samarkand—referred to as Maracanda in ancient Greek sources—has long stood as a glittering jewel of the Silk Road. Its prosperity was not built only on vibrant trade routes, but also on a delicate balance between agriculture and animal husbandry. A dual economy emerged: flourishing river-fed farmlands and nomadic herding on the surrounding steppes.

In this semi-arid region, where annual rainfall rarely exceeds 350 to 400 mm, the true engine of survival and success has always been water. The mighty Zeravshan River, the third longest in Central Asia, feeds an elaborate irrigation network that brings life to both fields and households. While mountain springs and wells support more remote rural settlements, it is the river’s flow that has shaped the city’s destiny.

This ancient water system did more than nourish crops and quench thirst—it enabled civilization itself to bloom in the heart of the steppe. Even today, as you walk the streets of Samarkand or take in its verdant vistas, you witness the living legacy of a time-honoured relationship between water and society.

That legacy is far from static. The contemporary waterscape of Samarkand reflects centuries of socio-ecological interdependence and technological adaptation, from early channels to Soviet-era hydraulic projects. Today, state-managed infrastructure coexists with local, informal water practices: small canals maintained through community cooperation, solidarity, and inherited knowledge. These layered systems reveal a region where tradition and innovation continue to shape the flow of life.