Early Civilizations & Ancient World
This ancient country, famous for its pyramids and the Nile River, was ruled by kings called Pharaohs.
Egypt
Sailing under the Spanish flag in 1492, this Italian explorer landed in the Americas while looking for Asia.
Christopher Columbus
Ancient Greece hosted the very first version of these giant athletic games, which are still held around the world today.
the Olympic Games
These Scandinavian warriors sailed longships across Europe during the Middle Ages, trading, exploring, and raiding.
the Vikings
The name of Kazakhstan's largest city, Almaty, comes from the Kazakh word for this sweet fruit, which originated in the surrounding mountains.
apple
This famous river valley in the Middle East was home to the world's first written language, called cuneiform.
Mesopotamia
Explorers spent centuries looking for a water route through North America to connect the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, called this.
the Northwest Passage
Ancient Rome built giant arenas where brave fighters, known by this name, battled in front of thousands of spectators.
gladiators
Knights wore heavy metal armor to protect themselves in battle and followed a strict code of honor called this.
chivalry
Celebrated every year in March, this ancient spring festival marks the Kazakh New Year and the renewal of nature.
Nauryz
This giant wall was built in Asia thousands of years ago to protect an empire from northern invaders.
the Great Wall of China
This Portuguese explorer's crew was the very first to sail all the way around the world.
Ferdinand Magellan
The city of Athens in Ancient Greece created this famous type of government, where citizens get to vote on laws.
democracy
Built out of heavy stone with moats around them, these large fortified buildings protected kings and lords from enemy attacks.
castles
The basic unit of currency used in Kazakhstan today is called this.
Tenge
Ancient Greece is famous for creating this style of government, where citizens get to vote on decisions.
democracy
Native Americans helped early European settlers survive by teaching them how to grow this yellow grain crop.
corn (or maize)
The Romans built these long, raised stone bridge structures to transport fresh water into their cities over long distances.
aqueducts
This terrible disease spread across Europe and Asia in the 1300s, wiping out nearly one-third of the population.
the Black Death (or the Bubonic Plague)
Nomads on the Eurasian steppe were among the very first humans in history to tame and ride this animal.
horse
Before humans learned to farm, they lived by moving from place to place to find food. They were called this.
hunter-gatherers (or nomads)
Established in 1607, this was the first permanent English settlement in North America.
Jamestown
This famous general conquered a massive empire across Europe, Egypt, and Asia before dying at just 32 years old.
Alexander the Great
This French peasant girl claimed to hear voices from angels and led the French army to victory in battle before becoming a national hero.
Joan of Arc
o easily move across the plains, Kazakh nomads lived in these round, portable felt tents that could be taken down and packed quickly.
a yurt