1. Read pages 460-1 of World Geography and answer question #2
Warm-Up
Read pages of World Geography and answer question #2

2. Central Asia

3. The countries of Central Asia have been dominated by other countries for centuries
still trying to create stable governments and economies
Taken over by Mongols, Romans, Persians, Arabs, Ottoman Turks
Trade routes passed through Central Asia
Silk Road and Marco Polo
Complete questions 1 and 2 using the map on p. 464
I. History

4. In 1979, Afghanistan fought off Soviets and Taliban took over
Taliban sheltered Osama bin Laden, so US invaded and overthrew Taliban government
Currently, Afghanistan is having trouble ruling its territory and providing basic services to its people
Most of Central Asia was under the rule of the Soviet Union (now Russia) until 1991
Many declared independence after that
Read about Teens in Armenia on p. 465

5. II. People
The population is not evenly distributed because of the rugged, mountainous terrain
Most populous country- Afghanistan (almost 30 million people)
US has about 300 million people
The region is very ethnically diverse
Answer questions 1 and 2 using the map on p. 463
Kazakstan

6. III. Culture/Religion
Most people speak a form of Turkic, Indo-European, or Russian languages
Most countries are predominantly Muslim
Georgia and Armenia are Christian enclaves
Enclave- territory that is ethnically or culturally different than surrounding larger cultures
Read visual summary on p. 467

7. IV. Resources
The main land uses are nomadic herding, livestock raising, and some farming
Answer question 1 using the map on p. 476
Use the map to list the resources found in Central Asia

8. V. Troubled Waters Caspian Sea Dead Sea Aral Sea Pollution
Overfishing
Iran exports sturgeon, so this threatens part of their economy
Aral Sea
Tributaries have been diverted for irrigation, destroying the fishing industry
Fishermen working to revive Sea as a chain of lakes
Look at satellite pictures on p. 483 and answer question below
Dead Sea
Water level has dropped 262 ft. over 40 years
90% of tributaries diverted for hydroelectric power
They are building a canal to connect the Red Sea and Dead Sea

9. VI. Nuclear and Chemical Dangers
Central Asia inherited Soviet environmental problems
Many nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons were tested in Kazakhstan during the Cold War
Radiation contamination
Also heavy industry carried out here
Air pollution
Toxic chemicals
Infant mortality and health problems
Complete map study on p. 484