Central Asia Expanded by Joe Naumann, UMSL. 2Globalization & Diversity: Rowntree, Lewis, Price,...

Central AsiaCentral Asia

Expanded byExpanded byJoe Naumann, Joe Naumann,

UMSLUMSL

2Globalization & Diversity: Rowntree, Lewis, Price, Wyckoff

Chapter 10: Central Asia (Fig. 10.1)


Learning ObjectivesLearning Objectives• Understand the significance of the landlocked Understand the significance of the landlocked

location of Central Asia location of Central Asia • Learn about historical cohesion of Central Asia, Learn about historical cohesion of Central Asia,

along with its pivotal role in evolution of Eurasiaalong with its pivotal role in evolution of Eurasia• This region has become more familiar to U.S. This region has become more familiar to U.S.

citizens since September 11, 2001citizens since September 11, 2001• Become familiar with the physical, demographic, Become familiar with the physical, demographic,

cultural, political, and economic characteristics of cultural, political, and economic characteristics of South AsiaSouth Asia

• Understand the following concepts and models:Understand the following concepts and models:-Loess-Pastoralist-Theocracy

-Transhumance-Turkestan


IntroductionIntroduction

• Central Asia is a large, compact, landlocked Central Asia is a large, compact, landlocked region within the Eurasian landmassregion within the Eurasian landmass

• Until 1991, the region contained only two Until 1991, the region contained only two countries, Mongolia and Afghanistancountries, Mongolia and Afghanistan

• Soviet Union’s breakup added several more Soviet Union’s breakup added several more independent countries to the regionindependent countries to the region

• After September 11After September 11thth, Central Asia became , Central Asia became more well-established on the mapmore well-established on the map

• Historically, Central Asia has been weakly Historically, Central Asia has been weakly integrated into international trade networksintegrated into international trade networks


Steppes, Deserts, & Threatened Steppes, Deserts, & Threatened LakesLakes

• Shrinking Aral SeaShrinking Aral Sea• Use of rivers feeding the sea for agricultural irrigation Use of rivers feeding the sea for agricultural irrigation • 60% of the sea’s total volume has disappeared 60% of the sea’s total volume has disappeared • Economic and cultural damagesEconomic and cultural damages

• Major Environmental IssuesMajor Environmental Issues• Relatively clean environment due to low population Relatively clean environment due to low population

densitydensity

• DesertificationDesertification• The Gobi Desert has gradually spread southwardThe Gobi Desert has gradually spread southward• Desertification in northern KazakstanDesertification in northern Kazakstan• Much of the region has been deforestedMuch of the region has been deforested


Shrinking Aral SeaShrinking Aral Sea (Fig. 10.2) (Fig. 10.2)


Shrinking Aral SeaShrinking Aral Sea


Environmental Issues in Central AsiaEnvironmental Issues in Central Asia (Fig. 10.4) (Fig. 10.4)


• Major Environmental Issues (cont.)Major Environmental Issues (cont.)• Shrinking and Expanding LakesShrinking and Expanding Lakes

• Caspian Sea – world’s largest lake; construction of Caspian Sea – world’s largest lake; construction of reservoirs on the Volga River diverted waterreservoirs on the Volga River diverted water

• Aral Sea, Lake Balqash shrinkingAral Sea, Lake Balqash shrinking• Maintenance of their size is dependent on Maintenance of their size is dependent on

precipitationprecipitation

• Central Asia’s Physical RegionsCentral Asia’s Physical Regions• The Central Asian HighlandsThe Central Asian Highlands

• Formed by the collision of Indian subcontinent into Formed by the collision of Indian subcontinent into Asian mainlandAsian mainland

• Himalayas, Karakoram Range, Pamir MountainsHimalayas, Karakoram Range, Pamir Mountains• Pamir Knot – a tangle of mountains where Pakistan, Pamir Knot – a tangle of mountains where Pakistan,

Afghanistan, China, Tajikistan convergeAfghanistan, China, Tajikistan converge


Tibetan HighlandsTibetan Highlands


Roads Roads connecting connecting Tibet and Tibet and

ChinaChina


• Central Asia’s Physical Regions (cont.)Central Asia’s Physical Regions (cont.)• The Central Asian Highlands (cont.)The Central Asian Highlands (cont.)

• Hindu Kush, Kunlun Shan, Tien Shan: peaks top Hindu Kush, Kunlun Shan, Tien Shan: peaks top 20K ft.20K ft.

• Tibetan Plateau – source area of many of Asia’s Tibetan Plateau – source area of many of Asia’s large riverslarge rivers

• The Plains and BasinsThe Plains and Basins• Central Asia’s desert beltCentral Asia’s desert belt

• Arid plains of the Caspian & Aral seas to the westArid plains of the Caspian & Aral seas to the west• Kara Kum and Kyzyl Kum DesertsKara Kum and Kyzyl Kum Deserts

• Several deserts in the eastern portion of the beltSeveral deserts in the eastern portion of the belt• Taklamakan Desert in the Tarim BasinTaklamakan Desert in the Tarim Basin

• Steppe (grassland) and taiga (coniferous forest) in Steppe (grassland) and taiga (coniferous forest) in the norththe north


Harvesting wheat on the plains Harvesting wheat on the plains of Kazakhstanof Kazakhstan


Mongolian Mongolian steppe (left) steppe (left) and the Gobi and the Gobi Desert after a Desert after a rain (below)rain (below)


Physical Regions of Central AsiaPhysical Regions of Central Asia (Fig. 10.5) (Fig. 10.5)


Climates of Central Asia Climates of Central Asia (Fig. 10.7)(Fig. 10.7)


Central Asian WinterCentral Asian Winter


Densely Settled Oases amid Vacant Densely Settled Oases amid Vacant LandsLands

• Most of the region is sparsely inhabitedMost of the region is sparsely inhabited• Too arid or too high in elevation to support human lifeToo arid or too high in elevation to support human life

• Pastoralists:Pastoralists: people who raise livestock for people who raise livestock for subsistence purposessubsistence purposes

• Highlands Population and Subsistence PatternsHighlands Population and Subsistence Patterns• Only sparse vegetation can survive in this regionOnly sparse vegetation can survive in this region

• Yak pastoralismYak pastoralism• Sedentary farming in TibetSedentary farming in Tibet• Isolated valleys in Pamir Range support agriculture and Isolated valleys in Pamir Range support agriculture and

intensive human settlement intensive human settlement

• Transhumance:Transhumance: seasonal movement of flocks from seasonal movement of flocks from winter to summer pastures/meadowswinter to summer pastures/meadows


Milking a Yak in MongoliaMilking a Yak in Mongolia


Nomad dwelling in KyrgystanNomad dwelling in Kyrgystan


Population Density in Central Asia Population Density in Central Asia (Fig. 10.8)(Fig. 10.8)


• Lowland Population and Subsistence Lowland Population and Subsistence PatternsPatterns

• Most Central Asia’s desert inhabitants live in narrow Most Central Asia’s desert inhabitants live in narrow belt where the mountains meet the basins and plainsbelt where the mountains meet the basins and plains

• Ring-like settlement pattern in the Tarim BasinRing-like settlement pattern in the Tarim Basin• Former Soviet Central Asia population concentrated Former Soviet Central Asia population concentrated

in zone where highlands meet the plains in zone where highlands meet the plains • Alluvial fans:Alluvial fans: fan-shaped deposits of sediments dropped fan-shaped deposits of sediments dropped

by streams flowing out of the mountains; a fertile areaby streams flowing out of the mountains; a fertile area• Long been devoted to intensive cultivationLong been devoted to intensive cultivation

• Loess:Loess: silty soil deposited by the wind that provides fertile silty soil deposited by the wind that provides fertile agricultural soilagricultural soil

• Fergana Valley of upper Syr Darya River (shared by Fergana Valley of upper Syr Darya River (shared by Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan) and Azerbaijan’s Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan) and Azerbaijan’s Kura River Basin have intensive agricultureKura River Basin have intensive agriculture


Population Patterns in Xinjiang’s Population Patterns in Xinjiang’s Tarim BasinTarim Basin (Fig. 10.9) (Fig. 10.9)


• Lowland Population and Subsistence Patterns Lowland Population and Subsistence Patterns • Gobi Desert has few sources of permanent waterGobi Desert has few sources of permanent water• Pastoralism a common way of life, but many have Pastoralism a common way of life, but many have

been forced to adopt a sedentary lifestylebeen forced to adopt a sedentary lifestyle• Kazakstan is major producer of spring wheat Kazakstan is major producer of spring wheat

• Population IssuesPopulation Issues• Some portions of the region are growing at a Some portions of the region are growing at a

moderate ratemoderate rate• Growth in western China from migration of Han Growth in western China from migration of Han

ChineseChinese• Growth in former Soviet zone from high levels of Growth in former Soviet zone from high levels of

fertilityfertility• Higher fertility because of Islam? Low level of Higher fertility because of Islam? Low level of

urbanization?urbanization?

• Afghanistan has highest birthrate of the region; Tibet Afghanistan has highest birthrate of the region; Tibet and Kazakstan have low birthratesand Kazakstan have low birthrates


Population and Settlement: Densely Population and Settlement: Densely Settled Oases amid Vacant Lands (cont.)Settled Oases amid Vacant Lands (cont.)

• Urbanization in Central AsiaUrbanization in Central Asia• River valleys and oases have River valleys and oases have

been partially urbanized for been partially urbanized for millennia (e.g., Samarkand millennia (e.g., Samarkand and Bukhara, Uzbekistan)and Bukhara, Uzbekistan)

• Conquest of the region by the Conquest of the region by the Russian and Chinese empires Russian and Chinese empires started a new period of started a new period of urbanizationurbanization

• Today, urbanization Today, urbanization increasing northern increasing northern KazakstanKazakstan

• In some areas, cities remain In some areas, cities remain few and far betweenfew and far between

Astana, Kazakhstan


A Meeting Ground of Different A Meeting Ground of Different TraditionsTraditions

• Historical Overview: An Indo-European Historical Overview: An Indo-European Hearth?Hearth?

• River valleys and oases were early sites of River valleys and oases were early sites of sedentary, agricultural communities (8000 sedentary, agricultural communities (8000 B.C.)B.C.)

• Domestication of the horse spurred Domestication of the horse spurred nomadic pastoralism (4000 B.C.), provided nomadic pastoralism (4000 B.C.), provided military advantages over sedentary military advantages over sedentary peoplespeoples

• Earliest languages were Indo-EuropeanEarliest languages were Indo-European• Replaced by Altaic (Turkish and Mongolian)Replaced by Altaic (Turkish and Mongolian)

• Tibetan kingdom unified in 700 A.D., but Tibetan kingdom unified in 700 A.D., but was short livedwas short lived


Linguistic Geography of Central AsiaLinguistic Geography of Central Asia (Fig. 10.13) (Fig. 10.13)


• Contemporary Linguistic and Ethnic GeographyContemporary Linguistic and Ethnic Geography• Turkish and Mongolian languages inhabit most of Turkish and Mongolian languages inhabit most of

Central AsiaCentral Asia• TibetanTibetan

• In Sino-Tibetan FamilyIn Sino-Tibetan Family• 1.5 million speakers in Tibet and 3 million more in 1.5 million speakers in Tibet and 3 million more in

western Chinawestern China• MongolianMongolian

• 5 million speakers5 million speakers• Other dialects: Buryat, KalmykOther dialects: Buryat, Kalmyk

• Turkish LanguagesTurkish Languages• The most widely spoken language group in the regionThe most widely spoken language group in the region• Include Uygur, Kazak, Azeri, Uzbek, Turkmen, KyrgyzInclude Uygur, Kazak, Azeri, Uzbek, Turkmen, Kyrgyz

• Uzbek is the most widely spoken of the Turkish Uzbek is the most widely spoken of the Turkish languageslanguages


• Contemporary Linguistic and Ethnic Geography Contemporary Linguistic and Ethnic Geography (cont.)(cont.)• Linguistic Complexity in the TajikistanLinguistic Complexity in the Tajikistan

• Indo-European Tajik spoken in the Tajikistan (related Indo-European Tajik spoken in the Tajikistan (related to Persian)to Persian)

• ““Mountain Tajik” spoken in remote mtns. of Mountain Tajik” spoken in remote mtns. of eastern Tajikistaneastern Tajikistan

• Language and Ethnicity in AfghanistanLanguage and Ethnicity in Afghanistan• Afghanistan never colonized by outside powers; Afghanistan never colonized by outside powers;

became a country in 1700s under Pashtun leadershipbecame a country in 1700s under Pashtun leadership• Pashtun ethnic group (40% to 60%)Pashtun ethnic group (40% to 60%)

• Dari SpeakersDari Speakers• Tajiks in west and north; Hazaras: in the central Tajiks in west and north; Hazaras: in the central

mountains mountains • 11% speak Uzbek (Indo-European)11% speak Uzbek (Indo-European)


Afghanistan’s Ethnic PatchworkAfghanistan’s Ethnic Patchwork (Fig. 10.15) (Fig. 10.15)


• Geography of ReligionGeography of Religion• Islam in Central AsiaIslam in Central Asia

• Pashtuns adopt a stricter interpretation of IslamPashtuns adopt a stricter interpretation of Islam• Kazaks are more lax in their interpretation of IslamKazaks are more lax in their interpretation of Islam• Most of the region’s Muslims are SunniMost of the region’s Muslims are Sunni• Shiism dominant among the Hazaras and the Azeris Shiism dominant among the Hazaras and the Azeris • Communists in China, Soviet Union and Mongolia Communists in China, Soviet Union and Mongolia

discouraged all religions (including Islam)discouraged all religions (including Islam)• Islamic revival underway as people return to their Islamic revival underway as people return to their

cultural roots (former Soviet republics)cultural roots (former Soviet republics)• Islamic fundamentalismIslamic fundamentalism is a powerful movement in is a powerful movement in

Afghanistan, parts of Tajikistan, and the Fergana Afghanistan, parts of Tajikistan, and the Fergana ValleyValley

• Taliban in AfghanistanTaliban in Afghanistan• Extreme fundamentalist Islamic organizationExtreme fundamentalist Islamic organization


Islamic Islamic RevivalRevival


• Geography of Religion (cont.)Geography of Religion (cont.)• Tibetan (Lamaist) BuddhismTibetan (Lamaist) Buddhism

• Found in Mongolia and TibetFound in Mongolia and Tibet• A blending of Buddhism and the indigenous A blending of Buddhism and the indigenous

language Bonlanguage Bon• Dalai Lama and Panchen LamaDalai Lama and Panchen Lama

• Theocracy:Theocracy: religious state religious state• Tibet was theocracy with Dalai Lama both the Tibet was theocracy with Dalai Lama both the

political and religious authority until China political and religious authority until China conquered itconquered it

• Persecution of Tibetan Buddhists by the Chinese Persecution of Tibetan Buddhists by the Chinese • China invaded Tibet in 1959China invaded Tibet in 1959• Dalai Lama went into exile – Panchen Lama a Dalai Lama went into exile – Panchen Lama a

puppetpuppet• 6,000 monasteries destroyed, thousands of monks 6,000 monasteries destroyed, thousands of monks

killedkilled


Buddhist Temple in TibetBuddhist Temple in Tibet


• Central Asian Culture in International and Central Asian Culture in International and Global ContextGlobal Context

• Western Central Asia’s closest external Western Central Asia’s closest external cultural relations are with Russiacultural relations are with Russia

• Relations of eastern Central Asian Relations of eastern Central Asian countries are with Chinacountries are with China

• Migration of Han Chinese into the eastern part Migration of Han Chinese into the eastern part of the region is a major issueof the region is a major issue

• Russian influence is diminishing in the WestRussian influence is diminishing in the West• Russian was once the lingua franca in Russian was once the lingua franca in

western Central Asia, but its use is western Central Asia, but its use is decliningdeclining

• Increasing use of English and influence of Increasing use of English and influence of U.S. cultureU.S. culture


Old Cultural Old Cultural Elements Elements PersistPersist


Geopolitical Geopolitical Framework: Framework:

Political Political ReawakeningReawakening

• Partitioning of the SteppesPartitioning of the Steppes• Before 1500, Central Asia Before 1500, Central Asia

was a power centerwas a power center• Mobile (horseback) Mobile (horseback)

armies threatened armies threatened sedentary statessedentary states

• Gunpowder and effective Gunpowder and effective hand weapons changed the hand weapons changed the balance of powerbalance of power

• Russia & China gained Russia & China gained control of the regioncontrol of the region

• Manchu (Chinese) Manchu (Chinese) conquest 1644conquest 1644

• Russian Empire in 1700sRussian Empire in 1700s• Concern over British Concern over British

influence in the areainfluence in the area


• Central Asia Under Communist RuleCentral Asia Under Communist Rule• Soviet Central AsiaSoviet Central Asia

• Soviets inherited Russian Empire’s domainSoviets inherited Russian Empire’s domain• United territories together into Soviet UnionUnited territories together into Soviet Union

• Created a series of “union republics” (Kazakhstan, Created a series of “union republics” (Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Azerbaijan)Azerbaijan)

• Sowed the seeds of nationalism, nation-statesSowed the seeds of nationalism, nation-states

• The Chinese Geopolitical OrderThe Chinese Geopolitical Order• After China reemerged as a unified country in After China reemerged as a unified country in

1949, it reclaimed most of its old Central 1949, it reclaimed most of its old Central Asian territoriesAsian territories

• Movement into Xinjiang and Tibet (Xijiang)Movement into Xinjiang and Tibet (Xijiang)


Uzbekistan – Uzbekistan – monument monument

from the from the Soviet period Soviet period

– Soviet – Soviet Realism Realism

school of artschool of art


Political Reawakening Political Reawakening (cont.)(cont.)

• Current Geopolitical TensionCurrent Geopolitical Tension• Independence in Former Soviet LandsIndependence in Former Soviet Lands

• It has been difficult for the 6 former Soviet Republics It has been difficult for the 6 former Soviet Republics to become truly independentto become truly independent

• Cooperation with Russia on security issues Cooperation with Russia on security issues necessarynecessary

• Authoritarian leadersAuthoritarian leaders in these nations has made in these nations has made the transition to democracy more difficultthe transition to democracy more difficult

• These countries have opted to remain part of the These countries have opted to remain part of the commonwealth of independent statescommonwealth of independent states

• Ethnic strife is common in these areasEthnic strife is common in these areas• War in Tajikistan in 1991 over ethnic conflictsWar in Tajikistan in 1991 over ethnic conflicts• Invasion of Azerbaijan by ArmeniaInvasion of Azerbaijan by Armenia


• Current Geopolitical Tension (cont.)Current Geopolitical Tension (cont.)• Strife in Western ChinaStrife in Western China

• Repression of Tibet, and local opposition to Chinese Repression of Tibet, and local opposition to Chinese rulerule

• Border of China and India still contestedBorder of China and India still contested• Chinese control of XinjiangChinese control of Xinjiang

• Uygur oppositionUygur opposition

• War in Afghanistan before September 11, 2001War in Afghanistan before September 11, 2001• 1978: Soviet-supported military “revolutionary 1978: Soviet-supported military “revolutionary

council” seized powercouncil” seized power• Marxist government began to suppress religionMarxist government began to suppress religion• Russian invasionRussian invasion• U.S. and Saudi support rebelsU.S. and Saudi support rebels• Soviets withdrew in 1989Soviets withdrew in 1989


• Current Geopolitical Tension (cont.)Current Geopolitical Tension (cont.)• War in Afghanistan before September 11, 2002War in Afghanistan before September 11, 2002

• 19951995––1996 rise of the Taliban1996 rise of the Taliban• Taliban founded by young Muslim religious Taliban founded by young Muslim religious

students students • Closely associated with the Pashtun ethnic groupClosely associated with the Pashtun ethnic group

• Imposed an extreme interpretation of Islamic Imposed an extreme interpretation of Islamic law consistent with Pashtun culturelaw consistent with Pashtun culture

• Other Afghan ethnic groups opposed the TalibanOther Afghan ethnic groups opposed the Taliban

• The Roles of Russia, Iran, Pakistan, and TurkeyThe Roles of Russia, Iran, Pakistan, and Turkey• Russia has armed forces in Tajikistan, and Russia has armed forces in Tajikistan, and

transportation routes cross Kazakhstantransportation routes cross Kazakhstan• Iran is a major trading partner, and offers access to Iran is a major trading partner, and offers access to

portsports• Pakistan supported Taliban; now supports the U.S.Pakistan supported Taliban; now supports the U.S.• Turkey has close cultural and linguistic connectionsTurkey has close cultural and linguistic connections


Russian Russian space space

program program launching launching site is in site is in

KazakhstanKazakhstan


• International Dimensions of Central Asian International Dimensions of Central Asian TensionTension• Islamic Fundamentalism?Islamic Fundamentalism?

• Many other Central Nations were concerned that Many other Central Nations were concerned that Islamic fundamentalism could affect their nationsIslamic fundamentalism could affect their nations

• Islamic movement rose in Uzbekistan (IMU)Islamic movement rose in Uzbekistan (IMU)• After September 11After September 11thth balance of power shifted balance of power shifted• U.S. with British assistance launched a war against U.S. with British assistance launched a war against

al-Qaeda and the Taliban governmental-Qaeda and the Taliban government• Bombing campaign and support of Northern Bombing campaign and support of Northern

AllianceAlliance• Defeated the Taliban and began a process of Defeated the Taliban and began a process of

forming a new Afghan governmentforming a new Afghan government• Fighting continues, and U.S. forces remain in Fighting continues, and U.S. forces remain in

Afghanistan Afghanistan


Central Asian GeopoliticsCentral Asian Geopolitics (Fig. 10.18) (Fig. 10.18)


Abundant Resources, Devastated EconomiesAbundant Resources, Devastated Economies• The Post-Communist EconomiesThe Post-Communist Economies

• Many Central Asian industries relied heavily on Many Central Asian industries relied heavily on subsidies and oil from the Soviet Unionsubsidies and oil from the Soviet Union

• Today, no Central Asian country could be Today, no Central Asian country could be considered prosperousconsidered prosperous

• Kazakstan is most developedKazakstan is most developed• Uzbekistan has second-largest economyUzbekistan has second-largest economy• Kyrgyzstan is aggressively privatizing former state-Kyrgyzstan is aggressively privatizing former state-

run industriesrun industries• Turkmenistan has a large agricultural baseTurkmenistan has a large agricultural base• Tajikistan most troubled of former Soviet republicsTajikistan most troubled of former Soviet republics• Mongolia, industries not competitive enough in the Mongolia, industries not competitive enough in the

global market, and it has a meager agricultural baseglobal market, and it has a meager agricultural base


Uzbekistan Oil ProductionUzbekistan Oil Production


Uzbekistan – Railroad Bridge Uzbekistan – Railroad Bridge over the Amu Darya Riverover the Amu Darya River


• The Post-Communist Economies (cont.)The Post-Communist Economies (cont.)• The Economy of Tibet and Xinjiang in Western The Economy of Tibet and Xinjiang in Western

ChinaChina• Chinese portions of Central Asia have fared better Chinese portions of Central Asia have fared better

than the rest of the regionthan the rest of the region• Tibet is one of the world’s poorest placesTibet is one of the world’s poorest places

• Tibetans provide for most of their basic needsTibetans provide for most of their basic needs

• Xinjiang has large mineral wealth and oil reservesXinjiang has large mineral wealth and oil reserves• Productive agriculture sector as wellProductive agriculture sector as well

• Economic Misery in AfghanistanEconomic Misery in Afghanistan• Is the poorest country in the region and has one of Is the poorest country in the region and has one of

the weakest economies in the world, with almost no the weakest economies in the world, with almost no economic developmenteconomic development

• Suffered nearly continuous war starting in late 1970sSuffered nearly continuous war starting in late 1970s• By 1999, it was the world’s largest producer of opiumBy 1999, it was the world’s largest producer of opium


• The Post-Communist Economies (cont.)The Post-Communist Economies (cont.)• Central Asian Economies in Global ContextCentral Asian Economies in Global Context

• Overall, Central Asia is not well connected, Overall, Central Asia is not well connected, but…but…

• Afghanistan is tied to the global economy Afghanistan is tied to the global economy through its export of illegal drugsthrough its export of illegal drugs

• In former Soviet areas, most of the In former Soviet areas, most of the connections remain with Russiaconnections remain with Russia

• Former Soviet republics are developing ties with Former Soviet republics are developing ties with Iran, Pakistan, Turkey, and ChinaIran, Pakistan, Turkey, and China

• U.S. and other Western countries are drawn U.S. and other Western countries are drawn to the region by oil and natural gas deposits, to the region by oil and natural gas deposits, but construction of pipelines is necessarybut construction of pipelines is necessary


• Social Development in Central AsiaSocial Development in Central Asia• Social Conditions and the Status of Social Conditions and the Status of

Women in AfghanistanWomen in Afghanistan• Average life expectancy is 45Average life expectancy is 45• High infant and child mortality ratesHigh infant and child mortality rates• High illiteracy (only 15% of women can read)High illiteracy (only 15% of women can read)• Women in traditional Afghani society Women in traditional Afghani society

(especially Pashtun) lead constrained lives(especially Pashtun) lead constrained lives• Fall of the Taliban improved their situationFall of the Taliban improved their situation• Many are nervous about their new Many are nervous about their new

government’s willingness and ability to government’s willingness and ability to uphold their rightsuphold their rights


• Social Development in Central AsiaSocial Development in Central Asia• Social Conditions in the Former Soviet Social Conditions in the Former Soviet

RepublicsRepublics• More autonomy among women of the northern More autonomy among women of the northern

pastoral peoplespastoral peoples• In former Soviet republics, women have educational In former Soviet republics, women have educational

rates comparable to menrates comparable to men• Tajikistan has been relatively socially successfulTajikistan has been relatively socially successful

• Social Conditions in Western ChinaSocial Conditions in Western China• The conditions in this region of China tend to be The conditions in this region of China tend to be

worse off socially as compared to China as a wholeworse off socially as compared to China as a whole• Around 60% of the non-Han people of Xinjiang are Around 60% of the non-Han people of Xinjiang are

illiterateilliterate


ConclusionsConclusions

• Central Asia was dominated for many years Central Asia was dominated for many years by Russia and Chinaby Russia and China

• This region is now emerging as a separate This region is now emerging as a separate entityentity

• It has a rugged terrain, and was historically It has a rugged terrain, and was historically pastoral pastoral

• Today, presence of fossil fuels is generating Today, presence of fossil fuels is generating interest, but construction of pipelines is interest, but construction of pipelines is needed needed


Conclusions Cont. Conclusions Cont. • Experiencing tough timesExperiencing tough times

• Collapse of political and economic systems Collapse of political and economic systems in early 1990sin early 1990s

• Warfare, armed conflict have damaged Warfare, armed conflict have damaged economies and infrastructureeconomies and infrastructure

• Afghanistan is especially troubled, and Afghanistan is especially troubled, and emerged as a focus of world interest in emerged as a focus of world interest in September 2001September 2001

• It will take time to bring stability to Central It will take time to bring stability to Central AsiaAsia

End of Chapter 10: Central Asia

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