Central Asia

1. Central Asia Preview Section 1:Natural Environments Section 2:History and Culture Section 3:The Region Today Chapter Wrap-Up

2. Section 1: Natural Environments Read to Discover • What are the major landforms and rivers of Central Asia? • What climates, biomes, and natural resources does the region have?

3. Section 1: Natural Environments Landforms and Rivers • 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

4. Section 1: Natural Environments Question What are the climates, plants, animals, and resources of Central Asia?

5. Section 1: Natural Environments Physical Geography of Central Asia Climates Arid, semiarid, Mediterranean, highland Deciduous forests, walnut trees, evergreen trees, grasses, shrubs, saxaul tree Plants Deer, pheasants, wild boar, snow leopards, antelope, wildcats, wolves, domesticated camels, goats, sheep Animals Resources Water, coal, oil, natural gas, copper, lead, nickel, zinc, gold

6. Section 1: Natural Environments • 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

7. Section 2: History and Culture Read to Discover • How have various cultures and invaders affected the region’s history? • What are some features of Central Asian cultures?

8. Section 2: History and Culture Question How have various groups influenced the cultures of Central Asia?

9. 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 Section 2: History and Culture Influences on Central Asian Cultures Turkish Speakers Arabs Mongols under Genghis Khan Mongols under Timur Russians Soviets

10. Section 2: History and Culture • 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

11. Section 2: History and Culture Cultural Features • 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.

12. Section 2: History and Culture Cultural Features (continued) • 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.

13. Section 3: The Region Today 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?

14. Section 3: The Region Today Question What are the economic activities of Central Asian countries?

15. Section 3: The Region Today Economic Activities in Central Asia Mining and Industry Agriculture Developing Industries • Crops—Barley, cotton, fruits, rice, tobacco, and vegetables • Irrigated and dryland farming • Herding camels, cattle, goats, horses, and sheep • Huge reserves of minerals • Outdated equipment, corruption, poor transportation, lack of funds for investment • Limited foreign markets • Oil and gas production • Tourism

16. Section 3: The Region Today • Attempts to diversify cotton monoculture by adding new crops • Mixing dryland farming with irrigation • Possible development of mining and industry Economic Changes

17. Section 3: The Region Today • 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

18. Section 3: The Region Today • 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

19. Chapter Wrap-UpUnderstanding the Main Ideas • Why is herding common in the region’s northern areas and farming more common in the south? • How did boundary changes during the Soviet era affect the control that Central Asian governments have over their territory? • What are the main languages and religions in Central Asia? Which language is losing status? • What resources of Central Asia offer the possibility of wealth in the future? • How does Issyk-Kul contrast with some other areas in Central Asia?