Semerkants

Semerkants are residents of Semerkant, a historic city in the Zeravshan River valley of present-day Uzbekistan. The city is more commonly known in English as Samarkand or Samarqand. The spelling Semerkant appears in older transliterations and is used occasionally as a demonym in historical or transliterated sources.

Semerkant has long been a crossroads of civilizations on the Silk Road. It grew as a political and cultural center under successive empires, including the Samanids and the Timurid dynasty, and became renowned for its scholarship, crafts, and architecture. The city attracted merchants, travelers, poets, and scholars, contributing to a distinctive Central Asian cultural blend.

Landmarks linked to Semerkants include Registan Square, the Gur-e Amir mausoleum, and the Bibi-Khanym Mosque. In 2001, the historic centre of Samarkand was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List for its outstanding architectural ensembles and urban planning from the Timurid era.

Today, Semerkant serves as the capital of Samarqand Region and remains a major cultural and economic center in Uzbekistan. The city's residents are primarily Uzbek-speaking, with Russian and other languages heard in urban life. Semerkants continue to contribute to Central Asian arts, crafts, music, and cuisine, while the broader city preserves its historic heritage through museums, bazaars, and conservation projects.