Bell-Work Look at the map on page 613 in your book, and answer the following questions. 1)What is the southern most country in Central Asia? 2)Name the body of water to the west of Central Asia. 3)Based on the map, what country do you think has the most petroleum? 4)Name the largest country in Central Asia. 5)In what Central Asian country does copper mining take place?

Land, Economy, and People

Countries Afghanistan Kazakhstan Kyrgyzstan Tajikistan Turkmenistan Uzbekistan

Central Asia’s mountains (Hindu Kush, Pamir, and Tien Shan Mts.) lie in the southeast part of the region. Most of Central Asia is either a desert or semi-desert. Many of the steppes are in western Central Asia. A steppe is a vast, treeless plain made up of grasslands.

Pictures Hindu Kush Mountains in Afghanistan Kara Kum desert in Turkmenistan

Bodies of Water The Caspian Sea borders Central Asia to the west and is the largest lake in the world. The Aral Sea is located on the border of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. The Aral Sea is drying up due to the very dry climate and irrigation of the rivers that flow into it.

The shrinking Aral Sea

Aral Sea Caspian Sea

Map of Central Asia

Climates of Central Asia Humid Continental to the north. Highland in the southeast bordering China. Desert and Semi-desert in most of Central Asia. Small area in the southwest is Mediterranean.

EconomyEconomy

Natural Resources and Land Use The major resources in Central Asia are Petroleum and Natural Gas. Other resources include coal, gold, copper, and iron ore. Most people in Central Asia depend on farming or livestock raising to earn a living. Due to the heavy irrigation from nearby rivers, the Aral Sea is drying up.

Review Questions Look on page 611 to answer the following questions. 1)What body of water in Central Asia has shrunk by 70% due to irrigation? 2)What is the major body of water that forms the western boundaries of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan? 3)What is the name of the enormous desert that covers much of Turkmenistan? 4)What mountain range lies in the southeast part of Afghanistan? 5)What country borders Kazakhstan to the north? 6)What large country borders to the east of Central Asia?

Review Questions con’t 7)What are the two major resources found in Central Asia? 8)What 2 climates are primarily found in Central Asia? 9)What do most people do for a living in Central Asia? 10)What is a steppe?

People and Culture of Central Asia

History A trade route called the Silk Road linked China to Europe and went through Central Asia. The Silk Road provided great wealth for many people living along its path. The Silk Road allowed different cultures to spread across great distances.

People Most people in Central Asia follow the religion of Islam. The Central Asian countries used to be controlled by the former Soviet Union. Most people speak either Arabic, Uzbek or their native language. Stan means “place of,” or “land.”

Challenges The economy has struggled since communism and the Soviet Union collapsed. Afghanistan has struggled recently due to the wars in its history. The U.S. still has many troops in Afghanistan fighting the Taliban and Al- Qaeda. Many people have a poor education, health care, and no jobs.

Review Questions 1)What does the word “stan” mean? 2)What religion do most people follow in Central Asia? 3)What was the Silk Road? 4)What country controlled the Central Asian countries through most of the 1900’s?

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