HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY OF THE KHOREZM REGION IN THE WORK OF ABU AL-FIDA “TAQWIM AL-BULDAN”
Authors:   student of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty, Kazakhstan, Zhuzbayeva U. D. ,   uldanai1994@mail.ru,   https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4077-2016, Batyrkhan B. Sh. ,   Institute of Oritntal Stadies named after R.B. Suleymenov, Almaty, Kazakhstan; bolatkazakh@gmail.com; https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2942-925X
Published: October 2020

The aim of the article is the historical geography of Khorezm, as well as a comprehensive study of the interaction of society and nature in the region and, in part, the adjacent territories.The article analyzes the historical and geographical data of the Khorezm region in the work of Abu al-Fida “Taqwim al-Buldan” during the Middle Ages, which are known from written sources.The article is also based on the materials of archaeological research and information from the works of other scientists of the Abu al-Fida era.A comprehensive study of the geography and social characteristics of the cities of the Khorezm region confirms information about a high civilization that arose in Central Asia at the junction of sedentary and nomadic traditions, its urban culture influenced the formation of modern states.The author, referring to the written sources of medieval researchers, describes the architecture of cities, geographical coordinates, nature and climate, arts and crafts, science and education, peculiarities of the population, etc. The study examined the main cities of Khorezm, such as: Kurkandzh, Dzhurdzhaniya, Kas, Zamakhshar, Khazarosb, Dar'an, Farabr and others.The article also analyzes such issues as the methods of using water resources and the development of the irrigation system in the Middle Ages Khorezm. Khorezm, whose territory since ancient times was formed at the crossroads of various historical events. He played a huge role in the formation of the Central Asian state as a whole. It is clear that the urban culture of medieval Khorezm influenced the modern traditions of the region. The work of Abul-Fida "Takim al-Buldan" is an important scientific heritage for the formation of the historical physical geography, economic and social geography of Khorezm. At the time of Abul-Fida, Khorezm was a rich and cultural region with developed agriculture, crafts and trade. The cities of the Khorezm region were formed along the rivers. Because they were important to the economy and life. Outside the cities, fortifications were built from high walls. Trade relations with neighboring countries have developed. Khorezm played an important role in the economy of Maurennahr, through which one of the northern branches of the Great Silk Road passed. The heritage of Khorezm architecture as a whole is known for its unique architectural monuments in the history of Central Asia, as well as for the great contribution of Khorezm architects to the construction and fine arts of Central Asia, which subsequently preserved and contributed to the development of architecture. Archaeological excavations confirm that the Khorezmians were engaged not only in trade and agriculture, but also in science. The Khorezmians mastered astronomy and mathematics. They invented angle measuring devices and used them in scientific research. Astronomy and many natural sciences developed in Ancient Khorezm.