Central Asia By: Mr. Mora Countries of Central Asia 1.Georgia 2.Armenia 3.Azerbaijan 4.Kazakhstan 5.Uzbekistan 6.Turkmenistan 7.Kyrgyzstan 8.Tajikistan 9.Afghanistan Physical Geography of Central Asia Landforms Central Asia is marked by a rugged landscape, highlands, a dry climate, and vast expanses of desert. All the countries are landlocked, except Georgia, with no direct access to the sea. The fertile plains and basins like the Fergana Valley are thickly settled, while the desert regions like the Kara-Kum are sparsely settled. Earthquakes frequently strike along plate boundaries, primarily in the stans and the surrounding area. Caucasus Mountains Central Asia Landforms Caucasus Mountains The Fergana Valley The Kara-Kum (black-san desert) The Kyzl Kum (red-sand desert) Note: Tectonic activity built the mountains of this sub-region. Fergana Valley Kara-Kum Desert Water Systems When the weather is warm and there is little precipitation, the Caspian Sea, the worlds largest inland sea, loses more water from evaporation than it gains from the rivers emptying into it. Sturgeon fishing, caviar, tourism, and, more recently, oil and natural gas are all important resources in the Caspian Sea. Human activity has harmed bodies of water in the subregion, such as the Aral Sea and Lake Balkhash, by diminishing water levels and increasing salinity. Physical Geography of Central Asia Waterways 1. Caspian Sea 2. Aral Sea 3. Lake Balkhash Climate, Biomes, and Resources Far from any oceans, Central Asia has mainly dry climates with sparse vegetation. Steppes form the wide, grassy plains of Eurasia, providing enough vegetation to support livestock. Major crops of the region are cereals, or grains grown for food. Major resources in the area are oil, natural gas, and mining. Physical Geography of Central Asia Central Asian Steppes Natural Resources Major resources in the area are oil, natural gas, and mining. Human Geography of Central Asia History and Government Christianity has been a significant influence in Armenia and Georgia, while Islam became the predominant religion of the stan countries. Established for trade between Europe and China, the Silk Road became an important asset and target for various empires. The entire region, except Afghanistan, was under Soviet control until the 1990s. Ethnic conflict and political turmoil continue to plague the region. The Silk Road The Silk Road or Silk Route is an ancient network of trade routes that were central to cultural interaction through regions of the Asian continent connecting the West and East from China and India to the Mediterranean Sea. Population Patterns Although several countries are named for one ethnic group, most have a complex mix of ethnic groups. Populations are shrinking in Armenia and Georgia due to low birth rates, while the populations of other nations are increasing. The rate of urbanization is low overall, but growing. Ethnic differences have created conflict in some areas resulting in displaced persons. Human Geography of Central Asia Society and Culture Today Languages in the Turkic language family are the most commonly spoken, though Russian is still widely used. Literacy rates are high except in Afghanistan, and health care spending overall is low, except in Georgia. Family life is a mix of traditional and modern influences, depending on rural or urban location. Under Soviet control, women enjoyed more equal rights than in many countries, especially Afghanistan. Human Geography of Central Asia Languages in Central Asia Economic Activities Economic growth is dependent on agriculture and exports of natural resources, such as oil and natural gas. Economic output remains low, as many people rely on agriculture, but farming methods and lack of arable land constrain yields. Most countries have not yet shifted to market economies, leaving governments in control of many facets of manufacturing and farming, resulting in inefficient business practices that are also susceptible to corruption. Human Geography of Central Asia Economies Managing Resources Hydroelectric power is the main source of energy for most of the subregion. Because oil and natural gas are plentiful in this subregion, most countries use them as a main source of export income. Because most of the countries rely on imports or exports of oil or gas, their economies struggle when prices for these products change. People and Their Environment: Central Asia Hydroelectric Power Human Impact In the push to give the subregion a better economy, the Soviets built irrigation systems that eventually deprived the Aral Sea of water, hampering farms and poisoning the lands surrounding the sea. The Soviets chose Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan for heavy industry, resulting in pollution and health problems among those populations. Land mines left over from times of war expose humans to danger, prevent farmers from using fields, and prevent the delivery of goods and services. People and Their Environment: Central Asia Addressing the Issues Outside countries, such as the United States and some European countries, have organized groups to manage the water resources of the subregion. Countries around the Caspian Sea have formed a legally binding Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Caspian Sea, in efforts to reduce water pollution. Afghanistan and NGOs have started working on ways to reduce the number of landmines by training people of local communities to identify and disarm mines when they are found. People and Their Environment: Central Asia