1. The ‘Stans… Can you locate the following countries in your atlas? Kazakhstan Uzbekistan Turkmenistan Kyrgyzstan What do you know about these countries? What does your atlas tell you about these countries?

2. What is the link?

3. What the papers say… Extract from “Telegraph Travel” – Saturday October 28 th 2006 Highlight information about the environment and reasons that tourists would want to visit.

4. Central Asia, one of the least known parts of the world, is the perfect home for this autumn’s hottest comedian, Borat Sagdiyev, whose new film, “Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan” is released in November. It’s perfect because few outsiders know anything about Kazakhstan, or any of the ‘stans that make up the region, allowing Borat – played by comedian Sacha Baron Cohen, creator of Ali G – to present it how he likes. Some Kazakhs think Borat has damaged the reputation of their country, while others think he’s funny. If anyone takes the new film seriously, he or she is likely to be pleasantly surprised on visiting Borat’s homeland. Kazakhstan really does have some tourist attractions worth visiting. Situated in the heart of Eurasia, with Russia to the north, China to the east, the Caucasus and the Caspian Sea to the west and other Central Asian states and Afghanistan to the south, Kazakhstan covers a territory the same size as western Europe, making it the ninth largest country in the world. The population is just 16 million, so there is plenty of room. And a lot of oil and gas – it has become one of the world’s top producers in recent years. It is also a country full of rewards for the adventurous traveller, with scenery to rival New Zealand’s at a quarter of the distance from Britain. It has glorious landscapes or lakes and forests which are home to many endangered species such as the snow leopard. On the foothills of its mountains, ancient tribes live in traditional yurts but there are also stylish cities such as Almaty. Although tourism is a new industry in a country that achieved independence 15 years ago, Kazakhstan has proved popular with climbers, bird-watchers and trekkers.

5. 9 th largest country in the world. Landscape ranges from grassy plains (steppes), to desert to mountains in the south

6. One of only 2 countries in the world which are doubly landlocked. Has the biggest population in Central Asia (25,155,000)

7. 4/5 of the land is the large, flat Karakum desert – black sands, >50C Smallest population in Central Asia (4,459,000). Many suffer health problems due to lack of clean water.

8. Most people herd cattle, goats and horses for their milk and meat. Mainly mountainous landscape

9. You are the travel writer! You have been asked by The Telegraph Travel editor to write a piece about Kazakhstan to encourage more people to visit. Watch the piece of film and make notes to help you with your writing. What information should you note down? (brainstorm key info)

10. Euan McGregor – “The Long Way round” DVD – Kazakhstan episode (15/20 mins)

11. Travel Writing Khazakhstan is…(give some facts – size, location etc) The landscape is… The people there are…(describe what they are like/look like etc) The sorts of things that they eat and drink are….(describe and explain what you think they would be like) Some of the problems of visiting Khazakhstan are… However, the best bits about Khazakhstan are…

12. What can you see? Where has this happened? What has happened? Why do you think this has happened? Who has this affected? How can this situation be improved?