Central Asia

Includes the countries of: Includes the countries of: Kazakhstan Kazakhstan Kyrgyzstan Kyrgyzstan Tajikistan Tajikistan Turkmenistan Turkmenistan Uzbekistan Uzbekistan

History 100 B.C. people journeyed 4,000 mile on the “Silk Road” between the Mediterranean and China through Central Asia. 100 B.C. people journeyed 4,000 mile on the “Silk Road” between the Mediterranean and China through Central Asia. Traffic on the Silk Road diminished in the 14 th century with sea faring. Traffic on the Silk Road diminished in the 14 th century with sea faring. Interest in Central Asia emerged again in the 19 th century. Interest in Central Asia emerged again in the 19 th century.

The Silk Road

Russia defeated Great Britain for the control of the region in the late 1800s. Russia defeated Great Britain for the control of the region in the late 1800s. Central Asia was incorporated into the Soviet Union in the 1920s. Central Asia was incorporated into the Soviet Union in the 1920s. Central Asian countries gained independence in Central Asian countries gained independence in 1991.

Economy Kazakhstan  during USSR main economic activity was nuclear testing. Kazakhstan  during USSR main economic activity was nuclear testing. 470 explosions destroyed towns and caused health problems such as cancer, birth defects, and mental illness. 470 explosions destroyed towns and caused health problems such as cancer, birth defects, and mental illness. Today’s economic potential lies in oil of the Caspian Sea, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan. Today’s economic potential lies in oil of the Caspian Sea, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan.

Nuclear testing- 470 tests

Cultural division Soviet leaders purposely divided countries between ethnicities to create hostilities. Soviet leaders purposely divided countries 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 to Turkish or Russian. Most Central Asians speak languages related to Turkish or Russian.

Traditions Physical geography is ideal for nomadic people to move with the seasons. Physical geography is ideal for nomadic people to move with the seasons. During USSR, nomads decreased due to Soviet force of collective farms. During USSR, nomads decreased due to Soviet force of collective farms. Nomadic lifestyles continue today where the people live in yurts. Nomadic lifestyles continue today where the people live in yurts.

People of Central Asia are trying to preserve their traditional nomadic lifestyles. People of Central Asia are trying to preserve their traditional nomadic lifestyles. Tourists live with a nomadic family to experience the tradition, and as a source of income for the nomads. Tourists live with a nomadic family to experience the tradition, and as a source of income for the nomads.