Education and Role of Foreign Languages

American Sports and Games
Sports are an integral part of American society. Sports are not only tremendously popular in the country they are a means of transmitting values such as teamwork, fair play, and justice. The US offers limitless opportunities for people to engage in sports either as a participant or spectator. Based on participation and revenue, the major sports leagues in the US are Major League Baseball, National Football League, National Hockey League, and National Basketball Association. These four leagues enjoy wide media coverage and are among the top lucrative leagues worldwide. Below are the major sports that are enjoyed by Americans.

Hockey

Ice hockey is a popular sport in the parts of the country that experience cold winter climates such as the northeast and Midwest. However, the growth of the National Hockey League has caused the sport to gain popularity in the Southwest and Southeast US. The ice hockey structure in the US includes elements from the traditional high school minor leagues and the major junior leagues. The minor leagues include American Hockey League and the ECHL. The NHL is the main hockey professional league in the country with 23 teams taking part in the Stanley Cup.

Volleyball

Volleyball is a widely played sport in the US, especially in colleges and universities. Most high schools and colleges in the country have female volleyball teams while many areas of the country are forming development programs for both male and female teams of all ages. Many organizations throughout the country such as churches and YMCA also participate in junior volleyball games. Volleyball is currently the third highest sport for women participation in schools and colleges..

Uzbekistan
The Republic of Uzbekistan is situated in Central Asia, and covers an area of 448.9 thousand sq. km. The length of the territory of the Republic from west to east is 1 425 km from north to south - 930 km.
The territory in the north and north-east of the Rebublic of Uzbekistan borders with Kazakhstan, in the east and south-east with Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan in the west with Turkmenistan, in the south with Afghanistan. The total length of the country border is 6221 km. The long border with Afghanistan is 137 km, with Kazakhstan - 2203 km, with Kyrgyzstan - 1099 km, with Tajikistan - 1161 km and Turkmenistan - 1621 km (administrative-territorial structure of the Republic of Uzbekistan).
The Republic of Uzbekistan declared September 1, 1991 the Day of Independence. The Republic has diplomatic relations are established with 134 countries. The embassies of 45 countries and many foreign organizations have set up their offices in Tashkent.
Uzbekistan has 13 regions (provinces), bordering Kazakhstan in the north, Kyrgyzstan and Tadjikistan in the east, Turkmenistan in the west and Afghanistan in the south.
This holiday in independent Uzbekistan is celebrated in honor of creation of national Armed forces. Parliament of the country on January 14, 1992 made a decision on transfering all units, military educational institutions and other military formations deployed in territory of the country, under jurisdiction of the Republic of Uzbekistan. So, it laid the foundation for establishing national Armed forces. On December 29, 1993 "January 14" has been declared as the Day of defenders of the Native land.
The most ancient national holiday Navruz (in translation with Persian Navruz means"new day") which is celebrated on March, 21st, is considered the beginning of new year. As is known, March 21st is a day a spring equinox. Day length and nights is identical - 12 hours.