The Stans of Central Asia

Kazakhstan is bordered by the Caspian Sea on the west, which is the world’s largest inland body of water. The Caspian Sea provides Kazakhstan with fishing grounds and additional oil reserves that it shares with neighboring states. The Kazakh Steppe covers most of northern and central Kazakhstan and is the largest continuous steppe in the world. The Kazakh Steppe has played a major role in the shaping of traditional Kazakh nomadic culture, and today it plays a major role in the country’s wheat production.

Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan also has a history of ancient nomadic civilization, as well as being a part of the Mongol and Russian Empires. It, too, fell under Soviet control until 1991. Politically, Kyrgyzstan has maintained alliances with both the West and Russia, as a significant portion of the country’s economy relies on remittances from Kyrgyz migrant workers in Russia. 

The Tien Shan (“Celestial Mountains” in Chinese) is one of the largest mountain ranges in Central Asia and forms a natural border between the southeastern part of Kyrgyzstan and northwestern China. The valleys of Tien Shan played a major role in creating the Silk Road, which brought the exchange of wealth and culture to the area. 

Lake Issyk-Kul is located in the northeastern part of Kyrgyzstan and is the world’s second-largest saline lake behind the Caspian Sea. The lake was once a stopover on the Silk Road, and many historians even believe that the lake was the point of origin for the Black Death that plagued Europe and Asia during the 14th century.

Tajikistan

Tajikistan is the smallest and poorest country in Central Asia. It became independent from the Soviet Union in 1991, however, its economy heavily relies on remittance from its migrant workers in Russia. The country was also once part of the Samanid Empire, and its culture is still heavily influenced by its Persian roots. 

Tajikistan’s eastern region is dominated by the Pamir Mountains, which is home to the Pamiri people, an Eastern Iranian ethnic group native to Central Asia. The Pamiri have historically practiced sustenance farming and animal husbandry along the Silk Road trade routes, and they maintain most of their cultural practices today. The mountains are also home to several rivers that have provided hydroelectric power for local use and export.

Turkmenistan

Turkmenistan was also part of the Persian Empire and a part of the Soviet Union, gaining its independence in 1991. The country’s economy relies heavily on natural gas exports and has parlayed that revenue into infrastructure projects primarily near the capital city of Ashgabat.

The Karakum Desert is one of Central Asia’s largest deserts, It covers about 80% of Turkmenistan’s land area. Covering most of the country’s central and southeastern regions, the desert’s arid conditions have forced the majority of the country’s population to live on the fringe areas, urban centers, oases, and the surrounding foothills. With the help of irrigation projects like the Karakum Canal, the limited cultivation of crops has been added to the desert region.

Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan was also once part of the Persian Empire, the Mongol Empire, and the Soviet Union. After gaining independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, Uzbekistan has relied heavily on cotton production, natural gas, and gold reserves to fuel its modern-day economy. 

Under different empires, several major cities had developed in Uzbekistan with some still standing today. Samarkand is located in the southeastern part of the country and is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Central Asia dating back 2,500 years. The city reached its peak as the capital of the Timurid Empire in the 14th and 15th centuries.

Bukhara has a history of over 2,000 years. Located in southwest Uzbekistan, Bukhara was a leading center of culture and learning during the Islamic Golden Age between the 8th and 13th centuries.