central asia
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Central Asia. Preview Section 1: Natural Environments Section 2: History and Culture Section 3: The Region Today Chapter Wrap-Up. Section 1: Natural Environments. Read to Discover What are the major landforms and rivers of Central Asia? - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
World Geography Today Chapter 18
Central AsiaPreview
Section 1: Natural Environments
Section 2: History and Culture
Section 3: The Region Today
Chapter Wrap-Up
World Geography Today Chapter 18
Read to Discover
• What are the major landforms and rivers of Central Asia?
• What climates, biomes, and natural resources does the region have?
Section 1: Natural Environments
World Geography Today Chapter 18
• Mountains—Altay Shan, Tian Shan, Pamirs, Kopet-Dag, Fedchenko Glacier
• Plateaus and Plains—North and west from mountains
• Caspian and Aral Seas
• Main Rivers—Amu Dar’ya, Syr Dar’ya, Irtysh
• Lakes—Lake Balkhash, Issyk-Kul
Section 1: Natural Environments
Landforms and Rivers
World Geography Today Chapter 18
Question
What are the climates, plants, animals, and resources of Central Asia?
Section 1: Natural Environments
World Geography Today Chapter 18
Physical Geography of Central Asia
Climates
Plants
Animals
Resources
Arid, semiarid, Mediterranean, highland
Deciduous forests, walnut trees, evergreen trees, grasses, shrubs, saxaul tree
Deer, pheasants, wild boar, snow leopards, antelope, wildcats, wolves, domesticated camels, goats, sheep
Water, coal, oil, natural gas, copper, lead, nickel, zinc, gold
Section 1: Natural Environments
World Geography Today Chapter 18
• Generally harsh, arid and semi-arid climates
• Two large deserts—Kara-Kum and Kyzyl Kum
• Small area in southern Turkmenistan with Mediterranean climate
• Some foothills of Tian Shan have mild weather
• Some evergreen and deciduous forests; grasses and shrubs at lower elevations
Section 1: Natural Environments
Climates and Biomes
World Geography Today Chapter 18
Read to Discover
• How have various cultures and invaders affected the region’s history?
• What are some features of Central Asian cultures?
Section 2: History and Culture
World Geography Today Chapter 18
Question
How have various groups influenced the cultures of Central Asia?
Section 2: History and Culture
World Geography Today Chapter 18
Influences on Central Asian Cultures
Turkish Speakers
Arabs
Mongols under Genghis Khan
Mongols under Timur
Russians
Soviets
Brought Turkic languages
Introduced Islam
Destroyed cities and irrigation systems
Supported arts and literature; built mosques, gardens, and palaces in Samarqand
Irrigated and farmed deserts; built railroads
Expanded cotton production; redrew political boundaries; movement of Russians into region
Section 2: History and Culture
World Geography Today Chapter 18
• Alexander the Great brought Greek influences in the 300s B.C.
• Merchants promoted Silk Route trade.
• Turkic peoples and Chinese established rule.
• Arabic peoples brought Islam in 700s.
• Mongols conquered in 1218 and later supported thriving culture.
• Russians settled and built railroads.
• Soviets established cotton monoculture and factories.
Section 2: History and Culture
Invasions and Migrations
World Geography Today Chapter 18
• Turkic customs and traditions dominate the area.
• Traditional activities include farming and nomadic herding, with yurts.
• Around two-thirds of the people speak Turkic languages; a sizable minority speak Russian.
• Islam is the main religion; Russians are Christians.
Section 2: History and Culture
Cultural Features
World Geography Today Chapter 18
• Textiles of wool and silk are a traditional art, woven into hats and carpets.
• Varied foods include tea, lamb, bread, rice, and fruit.
• Excellent health care and education led to high literacy rates and long life expectancy.
Section 2: History and Culture
Cultural Features (continued)
World Geography Today Chapter 18
Read to Discover
• How has the economy of Central Asia changed over time?
• What are the region’s cities like?
• What issues must Central Asia face to improve its economy?
Section 3: The Region Today
World Geography Today Chapter 18
Question
What are the economic activities of Central Asian countries?
Section 3: The Region Today
World Geography Today Chapter 18
Economic Activities in Central Asia
• Crops—Barley, cotton, fruits, rice, tobacco, and vegetables
• Irrigated and dryland farming
• Herding camels, cattle, goats, horses, and sheep
Agriculture Mining and Industry
• Huge reserves of minerals
• Outdated equipment, corruption, poor transportation, lack of funds for investment
• Limited foreign markets
Developing Industries
• Oil and gas production• Tourism
Section 3: The Region Today
World Geography Today Chapter 18
• Attempts to diversify cotton monoculture by adding new crops
• Mixing dryland farming with irrigation
• Possible development of mining and industry
Section 3: The Region Today
Economic Changes
World Geography Today Chapter 18
• Few major cities, with few historic features
• Bukhara, Samarqand, and Tashkent still have colorful markets, mosques
• Many plain, Soviet-era apartment buildings
• Smaller cities serve as starting points for tourists
• Kazakhstan moved capital closer to Europe
Section 3: The Region Today
Cities
World Geography Today Chapter 18
• General poverty
• Location—Poor access to global trade
• Water Problems—Water shortages and usage conflicts
• Corruption and lack of democracy
• Ethnic conflict and violence
• Environmental damage by Soviets
Section 3: The Region Today
Issues for Economic Development
World Geography Today Chapter 18
Chapter Wrap-Up Understanding the Main Ideas
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?