central asia

World Geography Today Chapter 18

Central AsiaPreview

Section 1: Natural Environments

Section 2: History and Culture

Section 3: The Region Today

Chapter Wrap-Up


Read to Discover

• What are the major landforms and rivers of Central Asia?

• What climates, biomes, and natural resources does the region have?



• Mountains—Altay Shan, Tian Shan, Pamirs, Kopet-Dag, Fedchenko Glacier

• Plateaus and Plains—North and west from mountains

• Caspian and Aral Seas

• Main Rivers—Amu Dar’ya, Syr Dar’ya, Irtysh

• Lakes—Lake Balkhash, Issyk-Kul


Landforms and Rivers


Question

What are the climates, plants, animals, and resources of Central Asia?



Physical Geography of Central Asia

Climates

Plants

Animals

Resources

Arid, semiarid, Mediterranean, highland

Deciduous forests, walnut trees, evergreen trees, grasses, shrubs, saxaul tree

Deer, pheasants, wild boar, snow leopards, antelope, wildcats, wolves, domesticated camels, goats, sheep

Water, coal, oil, natural gas, copper, lead, nickel, zinc, gold



• Generally harsh, arid and semi-arid climates

• Two large deserts—Kara-Kum and Kyzyl Kum

• Small area in southern Turkmenistan with Mediterranean climate

• Some foothills of Tian Shan have mild weather

• Some evergreen and deciduous forests; grasses and shrubs at lower elevations


Climates and Biomes


Read to Discover

• How have various cultures and invaders affected the region’s history?

• What are some features of Central Asian cultures?



Question

How have various groups influenced the cultures of Central Asia?



Influences on Central Asian Cultures

Turkish Speakers

Arabs

Mongols under Genghis Khan

Mongols under Timur

Russians

Soviets

Brought Turkic languages

Introduced Islam

Destroyed cities and irrigation systems

Supported arts and literature; built mosques, gardens, and palaces in Samarqand

Irrigated and farmed deserts; built railroads

Expanded cotton production; redrew political boundaries; movement of Russians into region



• Alexander the Great brought Greek influences in the 300s B.C.

• Merchants promoted Silk Route trade.

• Turkic peoples and Chinese established rule.

• Arabic peoples brought Islam in 700s.

• Mongols conquered in 1218 and later supported thriving culture.

• Russians settled and built railroads.

• Soviets established cotton monoculture and factories.


Invasions and Migrations


• Turkic customs and traditions dominate the area.

• Traditional activities include farming and nomadic herding, with yurts.

• Around two-thirds of the people speak Turkic languages; a sizable minority speak Russian.

• Islam is the main religion; Russians are Christians.


Cultural Features


• Textiles of wool and silk are a traditional art, woven into hats and carpets.

• Varied foods include tea, lamb, bread, rice, and fruit.

• Excellent health care and education led to high literacy rates and long life expectancy.


Cultural Features (continued)


Read to Discover

• How has the economy of Central Asia changed over time?

• What are the region’s cities like?

• What issues must Central Asia face to improve its economy?



Question

What are the economic activities of Central Asian countries?



Economic Activities in Central Asia

• Crops—Barley, cotton, fruits, rice, tobacco, and vegetables

• Irrigated and dryland farming

• Herding camels, cattle, goats, horses, and sheep

Agriculture Mining and Industry

• Huge reserves of minerals

• Outdated equipment, corruption, poor transportation, lack of funds for investment

• Limited foreign markets

Developing Industries

• Oil and gas production• Tourism



• Attempts to diversify cotton monoculture by adding new crops

• Mixing dryland farming with irrigation

• Possible development of mining and industry


Economic Changes


• Few major cities, with few historic features

• Bukhara, Samarqand, and Tashkent still have colorful markets, mosques

• Many plain, Soviet-era apartment buildings

• Smaller cities serve as starting points for tourists

• Kazakhstan moved capital closer to Europe


Cities


• General poverty

• Location—Poor access to global trade

• Water Problems—Water shortages and usage conflicts

• Corruption and lack of democracy

• Ethnic conflict and violence

• Environmental damage by Soviets


Issues for Economic Development


Chapter Wrap-Up Understanding the Main Ideas

1. Why is herding common in the region’s northern areas and farming more common in the south?

2. How did boundary changes during the Soviet era affect the control that Central Asian governments have over their territory?

3. What are the main languages and religions in Central Asia? Which language is losing status?

4. What resources of Central Asia offer the possibility of wealth in the future?

5. How does Issyk-Kul contrast with some other areas in Central Asia?

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