1. Section 1: Natural Environments Section 2: History and Culture
CHAPTER 18
Central Asia
Section 1: Natural Environments
Section 2: History and Culture
Section 3: The Region Today

2. SECTION 1
Natural Environments
Question:
What are the climates, plants, animals, and resources of Central Asia?

3. Physical Geography of Central Asia
SECTION 1
Natural Environments
Physical Geography of Central Asia
Climates
arid, semiarid, Mediterranean, highland
Plants
deciduous forests, walnut trees, evergreen trees, grasses, shrubs, saxual tree
Animals
deer, pheasants, wild boar, snow leopards, antelope, wildcats, wolves, domesticated camels, goats, sheep
Resources
coal, oil, natural gas, copper, lead, nickel, zinc, gold

4. SECTION 2
History and Culture
Question:
How have various groups influenced the cultures of Central Asia?

5. Influences on Central Asian Cultures
SECTION 2
History and Culture
Influences on Central Asian Cultures
Turkish speakers
brought Turkic languages
Arabs
introduced Islam
Mongols under Genghis Khan
destroyed cities and irrigation systems
Mongols under Timur
supported arts and literature; built mosques, gardens, and palaces in Samarqand
Russians
irrigated and farmed deserts; built railroads
Soviets
expanded cotton production; redrew political boundaries; movement of Russians into region

6. Question: What are the economic activities of Central Asian countries?
SECTION 3
The Region Today
Question:
What are the economic activities of Central Asian countries?

7. Developing Industries
SECTION 3
The Region Today
Economic Activities in Central Asia
• crops—barley, cotton, fruits, rice, tobacco, and vegetables
• irrigated and dryland farming
• herding camels, goats, horses, and sheep
Agriculture
Mining and Industry
• huge reserves of minerals
• outdated equipment, corruption, poor transportation, lack of funds for investment
• limited foreign market
Developing Industries
• oil and gas production
• tourism

8. Chapter Wrap-Up CHAPTER 18
1. Why is herding common in the region’s northern areas and farming more common in the south?
2. How did boundary changes during the Soviet era affect the control that Central Asian governments have over their territory?
3. What are the main languages and religions in Central Asia? Which language is losing status?
4. What resources of Central Asia offer the possibility of wealth in the future?
5. How does Issyk-Kul contrast with some other areas in Central Asia?