1. Central Asia Preview Section 1: Natural Environments
World Geography Today
4/17/2017
Central Asia
Preview
Section 1: Natural Environments
Section 2: History and Culture
Section 3: The Region Today
Chapter Wrap-Up
Chapter 18

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
Plants
Deciduous forests, walnut trees, evergreen trees, grasses, shrubs, saxaul tree
Animals
Deer, pheasants, wild boar, snow leopards, antelope, wildcats, wolves, domesticated camels, goats, sheep
Resources
Water, coal, oil, natural gas, copper, lead, nickel, zinc, gold

6. Section 1: Natural Environments
Climates and Biomes
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

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. Section 2: History and Culture Influences on Central Asian Cultures
Turkish Speakers
Brought Turkic languages
Arabs
Introduced Islam
Mongols under Genghis Khan
Destroyed cities and irrigation systems
Mongols under Timur
Supported arts and literature; built mosques, gardens, and palaces in Samarqand
Russians
Irrigated and farmed deserts; built railroads
Soviets
Expanded cotton production; redrew political boundaries; movement of Russians into region

10. Section 2: History and Culture
Invasions and Migrations
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.

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 Developing Industries
Economic Activities in Central Asia
Mining and Industry
Agriculture
• Crops—Barley, cotton, fruits, rice, tobacco, and vegetables
• Irrigated and dryland farming
• Herding camels, cattle, goats, horses, and sheep
Developing Industries
• 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
Economic Changes
Attempts to diversify cotton monoculture by adding new crops
Mixing dryland farming with irrigation
Possible development of mining and industry

17. Section 3: The Region Today
Cities
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

18. Section 3: The Region Today
Issues for Economic Development
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

19. Chapter Wrap-Up Understanding 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?