The Republics Emerge Ch. 9 Sec. 3 Pp

Geography Two different areas – 1) between Black and Caspian Sea, 2) east of the Caspian Sea Arabs, Turks, Persians, and Russians have ruled this area Part of Soviet Union and became free after its collapse in 1991 Pollution from Soviet era

Armenia Ethnic Armenians and share language and culture 94% belong to Armenian Orthodox Church 70% live in cities Faults – cracks in the earth’s crust

Azerbaijan Split in two by Armenia Islamic Oil and manufacturing They grow cash crops (products grown for sale as exports) like cotton and tobacco

Georgia 70% are ethnic Georgians Some ethnic groups want their own country Natural resources like copper, coal, manganese, and oil Hydroelectric power

Kazakhstan Largest of Central Asian republics Steppe – dry, treeless plain Lots of factories Farming is hard Livestock Minerals and oil Nomads – people who move from place to place with herds of animals Borat in Kazakhstan

Uzbekistan Most are Uzbeks Mostly live in fertile valleys and oases Oasis – fertile or green area in a desert watered by an underground stream One of world’s largest cotton producers Oil, gas, and gold

Turkmenistan Most of country is covered by the Garagum, a desert Grow cotton and raise livestock Lots of natural gas and oil

Kyrgyzstan Tian Shan mountain range makes up most of it Elevation – height above sea level Grow cotton, fruit, and vegetables Raise sheep and cattle More than half are Kyrgyzs Bilingual – two official languages

Tajikistan Mountains in the south Grow cotton, rice, and fruit Hydroelectric power Most are Tajiks 25% are Uzbeks – civil war