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Today. Central Asia Physical environment Population & settlement Culture Geopolitical issues. Last Time. Historical development of Russia (and neighbors) geo-politically and industrially Historical development of Russian Empire USSR (1921 - 1989) Industrial development & its geography.
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Today • Central Asia • Physical environment • Population & settlement • Culture • Geopolitical issues
Last Time • Historical development of Russia (and neighbors) geo-politically and industrially • Historical development of Russian Empire • USSR (1921 - 1989) • Industrial development & its geography
Central Asia: Defined • Once home to the powerful Mongol empire • Now site of emerging - little known states • The “stans” • Kazakhstan • Uzbekistan • Kyrgyzstan • Turkmenistan • Afghanistan • Azerbaijan • Mongolia • Western and Northern provinces of China
Central Asia: Physical Environment • Importance of aridity and semi-aridity • Continentality • Tectonic landscape • Mountain zones • Deserts • Basin and plains – steppes
Central Asia: Population, settlement, culture • Vast area more-or-less empty • Strongly circumscribed settlement • Ethnic/cultural/linguistic diversity • Religious diversity
Central Asia: Geopolitical issues • History of political domination from Russia/USSR • History of political domination from China • Ethnic tensions • Afghanistan • Current issues
Central Asia: Contemporary development • All states very poor • Breakup of USSR => economic collapse of ‘Stans • Afghanistan in chaos