Central AsiaCentral Asia

Includes the countries of:Includes the countries of: KazakhstanKazakhstan KyrgyzstanKyrgyzstan TajikistanTajikistan TurkmenistanTurkmenistan UzbekistanUzbekistan

HistoryHistory

100 B.C. people journeyed 4,000 mile on the 100 B.C. people journeyed 4,000 mile on the “Silk Road” between the Mediterranean and “Silk Road” between the Mediterranean and China through Central Asia.China through Central Asia.

Traffic on the Silk Road diminished in the 14Traffic on the Silk Road diminished in the 14 thth century with sea faring. century with sea faring.

Interest in Central Asia emerged again in the Interest in Central Asia emerged again in the 1919thth century. century.

The Silk RoadThe Silk Road

Russia defeated Great Britain for the control of Russia defeated Great Britain for the control of the region in the late 1800s.the region in the late 1800s.

Central Asia was incorporated into the Soviet Central Asia was incorporated into the Soviet Union in the 1920s.Union in the 1920s.

Central Asian countries gained independence Central Asian countries gained independence in 1991.in 1991.

EconomyEconomy

Kazakhstan Kazakhstan during USSR main economic during USSR main economic activity was nuclear testing.activity was nuclear testing.

470 explosions destroyed towns and caused 470 explosions destroyed towns and caused health problems such as cancer, birth defects, health problems such as cancer, birth defects, and mental illness.and mental illness.

Today’s economic potential lies in oil of the Today’s economic potential lies in oil of the Caspian Sea, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan.Caspian Sea, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan.

Nuclear testing- 470 tests Nuclear testing- 470 tests

Cultural divisionCultural division

Soviet leaders purposely divided countries Soviet leaders purposely divided countries between ethnicities to create hostilities.between ethnicities to create hostilities.

Islam is a unifying force between ethnicities.Islam is a unifying force between ethnicities.

Most Central Asians speak languages related Most Central Asians speak languages related to Turkish or Russian.to Turkish or Russian.

TraditionsTraditions

Physical geography is ideal for nomadic Physical geography is ideal for nomadic people to move with the seasons.people to move with the seasons.

During USSR, nomads decreased due to During USSR, nomads decreased due to Soviet force of collective farms.Soviet force of collective farms.

Nomadic lifestyles continue today where the Nomadic lifestyles continue today where the people live in yurts.people live in yurts.

People of Central Asia are trying to preserve People of Central Asia are trying to preserve their traditional nomadic lifestyles.their traditional nomadic lifestyles.

Tourists live with a nomadic family to Tourists live with a nomadic family to experience the tradition, and as a source of experience the tradition, and as a source of income for the nomads.income for the nomads.