Which countries are included in the Central Asian region. Central Asia

Central Asia is a region that covers a fairly vast territory. It does not have access to the ocean, and it includes many states, some partially, some completely. The countries of Central Asia are very different in their culture, history, languages ​​and national composition. This region is distinguished only as a geographical unit (as opposed to ancient east, which was a cultural area), so we will consider each of its territories separately.

What powers are included in the geographic area

So, to begin with, we will consider all the countries and capitals of Central Asia in order to form a complete picture of what lands are included in its composition. We note right away that some sources single out Central Asia and Central Asia, while others at this time believe that they are one and the same. Central Asia consists of such powers as Uzbekistan (Tashkent), Kazakhstan (Astana), Tajikistan (Dushanbe) and Kyrgyzstan (Bishkek). It turns out that the region is formed by five former Soviet republics. In turn, the countries of Central Asia comprise these five powers, plus western China (Beijing), Mongolia (Ulaanbaatar), Kashmir, Punjab, northeastern Iran (Tehran), northern India (Delhi) and northern Pakistan (Islamabad), It also includes the Asian regions of Russia, which are located south of the taiga zone.

History and features of the region

For the first time, the countries of Central Asia as a separate geographical region were identified by the geographer and historian Alexander Humboldt at the end of the 19th century. As he stated, the historical signs of these lands were three factors. Firstly, this is the ethnic composition of the population, namely the Turks, Mongols and Tibetans, who over the centuries have not lost their characteristics and have not assimilated with other races. Secondly, the way of life that was inherent in almost every one of these peoples (with the exception of the Tibetans). For centuries they fought wars, expanded the borders of their powers, but despite this, they retained the originality and uniqueness of their nation and traditions. Thirdly, it was through the countries of Central Asia that the famous Silk Road passed, which was the basis of trade relations between East and West.

Central Asia or part of the CIS

At the moment, five former Soviet republics represent the region of Central Asia, which from time immemorial has had its own culture, religion and features of life. The only exception has always been Kazakhstan, since completely different people have always coexisted in these territories. Initially, when the Soviet Union was created, it was even decided to make this state part of Russia, but later it became part of the Islamic republics. Today, Kazakhstan and the countries of Central Asia are a significant part of the region, which is full of minerals, rich history, and at the same time, many religions of the world coexist in it. This is one of the few places where there is no official belief, and everyone is free to confess their God's Word. For example, in Alma-Ata, the Central Mosque and the Ascension Orthodox Cathedral are located nearby.

Other countries of Central Asia

The total area of ​​the region is 3,994,300 square kilometers, and most of the cities, even the largest ones, are not particularly densely populated. Russians began to leave the capitals and other important megacities of these countries en masse after the collapse of the Union, which led to a demographic decline. Uzbeks are considered the most common race in the region. They live not only in Uzbekistan, but are also national minorities in all the other four states. In addition, Uzbekistan itself can be distinguished against the background of the whole of Central Asia by the presence huge amount cultural and architectural monuments. There are quite a lot of madrasas and Islamic colleges in the country, where people come to study from all over the world. Also on the territory of the state there are museum cities - Samarkand, Khiva, Bukhara and Kokand. There are a lot of Muslim ancient palaces, mosques, squares and viewing platforms.

Asia that stretches to the very East

It is simply impossible to separate the region of Central Asia from the Far East for cultural and historical reasons. These powers were formed, one might say, in unity, they both waged wars with each other and concluded various agreements. Today, the countries of East and Central Asia maintain friendly relations, and are also characterized by similar racial characteristics and some customs. By itself, East Asia includes such developed powers as China, Mongolia (a controversial issue - it is both in the Central part of the region and in the East), South Korea, Taiwan, North Korea and Japan. This one is different geographical area First of all, religion - here all Buddhists.

Conclusion

At the very end, we can say that the countries of Central and East Asia are a synthesis of cultures that have been mixed over the centuries. Representatives of a huge racial family live here - the Mongoloid, which includes many subgroups. We also note a trifle, but a fact - the locals are very fond of rice. They grow it and consume it almost every day. However, this geographical region did not become completely unified. Each country has its own language, its own characteristics and racial differences. Each religion has its own different direction, each art form is also unique and unrepeatable. On the territory of Central and East Asia, the most interesting ones were born, which spread throughout the world and became a symbol of these countries.

After the collapse of the USSR, the former republics entered into a voluntary agreement on the Commonwealth Independent States, abbreviated as the CIS, which regulated and simplified some of the relationships between the newly formed, independent countries.

It is customary to call Central Asia a number of countries in the south of the CIS, which includes such states as:

Among the countries of Central Asia, only Turkmenistan has access to the sea, this state washes the Caspian Sea from the western part. All other powers are considered inland.

The Caspian Sea washes the shores of five states - Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan and Iran

Central Asian countries are rich in natural resources: oil and gas are produced in Turkmenistan, large deposits are in Uzbekistan brown coal, there is natural gas, and there are also deposits of gold, Kyrgyzstan is rich in ore and coal, and sulfur is mined in Turkmenistan. Since Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan are located in a mountainous area, as a result, they have a large energy potential due to the presence of mountain rivers.

Central square in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan

Bishkek is a clean and beautiful city with pleasant architecture and, unlike many other capitals, with clean mountain air. All attractions and entertainment centers are located in the city center.

Kyrgyzstan is located between mountain ranges, here are located ski resorts, and there are also thermal springs in the Chui valley. But Lake Issyk-Kul has become a favorite resort place; since Soviet times, residents from all regions of the country have come here to relax and receive medical treatment in health resorts. The lake is very beautiful and clean, while it is so large that the opposite shore is not visible.

As for the economy of the state, it is based on industry and mining. And also developing tourism annually brings about half a billion dollars to the country. But the situation with the economy is complicated by external debt, which the power cannot pay in any way. The main economic partners for Kyrgyzstan are Russia, Kazakhstan and.

Kazakhstan

The territory of Kazakhstan is covered with deserts or semi-deserts, there are few forests here, therefore they are treated with care and the remaining forest belts are practically not cut down. This is the largest state among those without access to the World Ocean, the state occupies the 7th place in the world in terms of area and 2 among the CIS countries, second only to Russia.

Kazakhstan has common borders:

• Russia (northern and western borders).
• China (eastern border).
• Kyrgyzstan (southern border).
• Uzbekistan (southern border).
• Turkmenistan (southern border).

In Kazakhstan, the official capital is Astana, which has a population of 700,000 inhabitants. This is the largest city in terms of area and its accomplishment amazes visitors and attracts more and more tourists every year. Enormous funds were invested in Astana, buildings and architectural monuments were rebuilt, striking in their beauty and scale. The city attracts not only tourists, but also investors. This country has the most stable and impressive economy in the post-Soviet space, second only to Russia.

But Astana is not the only major city in Kazakhstan. Alma-Ata is recognized as the unofficial capital of the country, but, despite the smaller area, the population is 1.7 million people, which is almost 2.5 times the population of the capital. There is a metro and developed infrastructure no worse than in the main city.

Kazakhstan cooperates with the states, the Arab states, as well as with China and Eurasia.

The population of the Republic is 30 million people, with an equal ratio of urban and rural residents. The area of ​​Uzbekistan is 447.4 square meters. kilometers, which is much less than that of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, but the population is higher here. The state borders with the following neighbors:

• Kyrgyzstan (eastern border).
• Kazakhstan (northeastern, northern and northwestern borders).
• Turkmenistan (southwestern and southern borders).
• Afghanistan (southern border).
• Tajikistan (southeastern border).

Tashkent is the capital and heart of the country, despite the fact that the city was completely destroyed by an earthquake in 1966, it was restored. It is beautiful and attractive for tourists with its architectural delights, monuments and landscaping. The capital is recognized as the most beautiful city Central Asia. Its population is more than 2 million people, there is a metro and developed infrastructure. The Charvak reservoir, which is surrounded by snow-covered mountains, has become a favorite vacation spot for the townspeople.

Complex Khast-Imam – Tashkent

In 2005, a resolution was adopted against the UN country, the reason was the unnecessarily brutal suppression of unrest in the city of Andijan by the local government, during which hundreds of people died.

Tajikistan

- a developing country whose economy is built on an agro-industrial basis. The state shows stable positive indicators of GDP growth, the main points of the development strategy are achieving energy independence, providing food for the country's population, as well as overcoming transport isolation, the state has no access to the oceans.

The area of ​​the country is small, it is 143 thousand square kilometers with a population of 8.5 million people. The Republic has common borders with the following states.

Central Asian identity. The political-geographical "content" of the terms "Central Asia", "Central Asia" and "Turkestan" by different authors (especially "naturalists", on the one hand, and "humanities" - on the other) varies significantly, although in the literature Soviet period, largely due to the instructions of the ideological department of the Central Committee of the CPSU, there was “complete clarity” in this regard: Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan traditionally constituted Central Asia (Turkestan was also associated with it), the concept of “Central Asia” was used in the physical and geographical context.

In the 90s. the term "Central Asia", which included Kazakhstan, also gained predominance. Some authors began to equate the concepts of "Turkestan" and "Central Asia", although such a step seems unjustified. Turkestan, as a historical and geographical region, covers the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China, as well as the northern part of Afghanistan. The confusion with the definition of the Central Asian region is largely "owed" to Western authors in the humanities, who, using almost the only term - "Central Asia", interpret it quite arbitrarily, sometimes resorting to constructions such as "greater Central Asia", "extended Central Asia ", Central Asian macro-region", etc. Consideration of “Central Asia within such a broad framework (i.e., the inclusion of Turkey, Azerbaijan, Pakistan and other “distant” states) to a certain extent loses its meaning in a serious geopolitical analysis - therefore, for ourselves, we will limit Central Asia to five post-Soviet countries.

Among the arguments in favor of the Central Asian identity, with a certain degree of conditionality, one can note the territorial commonality of the states of the region, their resource-climatic similarity, historical parallels of development, ethnolinguistic and especially confessional proximity of local peoples.

Firstly, the region is located between two large mountain systems - the Urals, on the one hand, and the largest mountain systems of the Alpine folding - Pamir and Kopet-Dag - on the other. From the west, the basin of the Caspian Sea serves as a natural boundary. (Geographically, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan are somewhat isolated, since their territories are a “continuous alternation” of mountain ranges and valleys.) At the same time, the whole of Central Asia is an area of ​​internal flow that does not have river flows associated with the ocean.

Secondly, the greater part (plain) is characterized by an arid climate, which determines the spread of semi-desert and desert landscapes here. Moisture deficiency is largely associated with the “drying” of the Amu Darya and Syr Darya due to an ill-conceived system of water use (the situation around these river arteries is somewhat reminiscent of the situation with the transit of Russian gas through Ukraine, when the Russian side accused Ukraine of stealing gas from gas pipelines). Low humidity and high temperatures largely determined the agricultural specialization of Central Asia as the largest cotton producer back in the Soviet era.

Thirdly, The newest history of Central Asia has developed within the framework of a single state - the Russian Empire, and then the USSR.

In the context of drawing “historical parallels”, let us mention the “cutting” of artificial borders in the region, i.e. about planting "artificial identification". The territories that now belong to the Central Asian region were part of the ancient formations in various combinations: Khorasan, the Samanid state, the Timur empire, etc. (If Russia still remembers almost three hundred years Tatar-Mongol yoke, then this region has experienced at least five historical catastrophes of this magnitude.) At all times, the allocation of national territories in this region, especially on the lands of nomads, was largely ritual. In the traditions of the Central Asian peoples, it was generally not customary to correlate ideas about property or nation with territory. In the strict sense, the concept of "territory", interpreted as a piece of land with certain boundaries, is not applicable to this space of nomads, indented with borders only after the arrival of Russians and British.

Fourth, we can talk about the presence of an ethnolinguistic community in the region. Uzbeks, Turkmens, Kazakhs and Kirghiz are Turkic-speaking, while Tajiks are an "Aryan island" in the "Sea of ​​Turks", belonging to the Iranian language group. However, the above reservation should be repeated: historically, the population of the region identified itself not with an ethnic group, but with a place of residence, and in this sense, national identification here is somewhat artificial. Only in Soviet times were national borders "cut" and the population began to identify themselves with the corresponding nationalities.

Fifth, Despite the long-term processes of secularization, one can speak about the confessional identity of the Central Asian peoples who profess Islam. The majority of local Muslims are Sunnis, although the population of Gorno-Badakhshan is Ismaili, and there are small Shia communities in Turkmenistan. At the same time, the Russian-speaking population, which was not at all religious in Soviet times, is now increasingly joining Orthodoxy as one of the means of its cultural identification.

Thus, despite the clear features of commonality between the Central Asian regions, none of the factors of identity is absolute, i.e. fully, without any reservations, uniting peoples and states.

historical past. Located at the historical crossroads between Europe and South Asia, the Middle East and the Urals, the Central Asian region (Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan) has been the scene of dramatic events for thousands of years. Numerous conquerors were attracted here. The “Great Silk Road” ran through it, thanks to which, already in ancient times, there were

Trade and industrial centers, the core of the well-known Uzbek-Tajik civilization, curled: Samarkand, Bukhara, Khojent, Tashkent, Khiva, etc. The Ferghana Valley, the basins of the Zeravshan, Kash-Kadarya, and the lower reaches of the Amu Darya were densely populated oases from ancient times. Later on the ruins of the ancient states of Khorezmshahs, Timur and Timurids, Sheibanids in the XVI - XVIII centuries three feudal states were formed: the Emirate of Bukhara, the Khiva and Kokand khanates. In addition to the Uzbeks, the population of the khanates was represented by Tajiks, Turkmens, Kazakhs, Karakalpaks.

Of the many peoples living in the region, the Tajiks can be considered the most ancient. Iranian-speaking descendants of the population of Bactria and Sogdiana at the end of the 9th century. created the Tajik state of the Samanids, which subsequently fell under the blows of the Turkic-speaking tribes.

By the last quarter of the 19th century, this vast and diverse region was completely under the rule of the Russian Empire. The metropolis took energetic measures to put an end to feudal strife and restore trade, crafts, and agriculture. Already in the 1880-1899s. the railway "cut through" these ancient lands from Krasnovodsk on the Caspian Sea through Mary, Bukhara, Samarkand, Tashkent to Andijan. At the beginning of the XX century. a new highway connected Tashkent with Orenburg, and through it with Central Russia. Enterprises for the processing of local agricultural raw materials began to be built - cotton gins, oil mills, flour mills, etc.

Under Soviet rule, considerable investments were directed to Central Asia in the development of industry (mainly food and light), agriculture, transport infrastructure, social sphere. But the most noticeable shifts in the economy of the region occurred during the Second World War, when many defense and other military equipment were relocated to Central Asia. industrial enterprises together with labor collectives from the European part of Russia, from Ukraine and Belarus. However, the agrarian-raw material structure of the economy of the local republics (with the exception of Kazakhstan) has been preserved to this day, an indirect confirmation of which is the high proportion of rural residents (about 60% versus 26% in Russia).

After the collapse of the USSR, the formation of a relatively independent union of five Asian countries (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan) was immediately announced, establishing the so-called Community of Central Asian Republics. In terms of population (about 50 million people), this bloc is approximately equal to Ukraine, but "overtakes" it before our eyes. With rich reserves of fossil fuels, iron, non-ferrous metals, fertile lands, it has become

is a serious counterbalance to Ukraine and Belarus in the balance of Russia's economic interests in the "new abroad". At the same time, the economic integration of the Central Asian states is limited both by the underdevelopment of some of them and by the fact that their economies duplicate rather than complement each other. The process of political integration is even more difficult, since their geopolitical interests (see below) do not always coincide.

The process of religious and cultural revival is much more successful (mosques are being built, religious festivals are being held, the number of pilgrims is increasing, etc.). In addition to close proximity in the Central Asian region, these states are brought together by a common historical destinies, a single religion, the similarity of the mentality of the local population, demographic development features (high birth rate), etc.

Under the new conditions, the Central Asian states faced a painful choice: whether they should continue to focus primarily on the former "mother country" or look for new strategic partners. In the early 90s. 20th century it seemed that in the resulting geopolitical vacuum, a real competition would begin between states seeking to establish their economic and geopolitical dominance here. It was assumed that in the face of Russia's weakening, two countries could become new geopolitical leaders in the region: Turkey and Iran. At first glance, this hypothesis seemed quite logical. However, neither Turkey nor Iran have yet been able to master the role of geopolitical leaders in the region. Ankara's main task is to cope with numerous of its own problems, and first of all - with the Kurdish one. There is no strength for any serious economic expansion in Central Asia and Tehran. In addition, the ideological model of Iran is completely unacceptable to the authorities of the Central Asian states, who emphasize their adherence to a secular democratic model of development.

Kazakhstan: between the Slavic North and the Turkic South. The unique geographical position of Kazakhstan lies in the fact that it is located, as it were, in a mixed Eurasian geopolitical space and is a kind of "Turkic bridge", a mediating link between the Slavic North and the Turkic South, between the Christian North-West, the Confucian-Buddhist South-East and Muslim Southwest. (It is noteworthy that part of the territory of this state in the west - along the right bank of the Ural River, geographically belongs to Europe.)

As one of the largest countries in the world (2712.3 km 2), Kazakhstan is distinguished by its colossal territorial specificity. So, Northern Kazakhstan is a typical Southern Siberia with a sharply continental climate, steppe vegetation

Nost, chernozem soils, predominantly Slavic population and developed grain farming. Thus, if we approach the allocation of Central Asia not from state-territorial positions, but from real ones, including geopolitical ones, then the territory of Northern Kazakhstan should not be included in the framework of Northern Kazakhstan, since it does not coincide with most of the region-forming features. Central and Western - semi-desert and desert regions with a predominance of the Kazakh population, grazing in agriculture and mining centers. Southern Kazakhstan (the foothills of the Tien Shan and the valley of the Syrdarya) has a distinctly Central Asian appearance with a large sum of temperatures, irrigated agriculture, specializing mainly in cotton and rice.

General history has been linking Russians and Kazakhs for about 300 years. Kazakhs (for a long time called Kirghiz) acquired their own state formation in 1920, when the Kirghiz (?!) ASSR was formed as part of the RSFSR, with its center in Orenburg. Later, the republic changed not only its shape, but also its name (Kazakh, then Kazakh), eventually receiving the status of a union republic. The constant "adjustment" of the northern boundary shows how artificial it is. Today, Kazakhstan is in close contact with the Russian Lower Volga region, the Urals, Western Siberia and Altai. This neighborhood is reflected in the interconnected network of communications that, like threads, connect the two states. In the west, railroads and highways connect Guryev (Atyrtau) and Uralsk (Oraly) with Astrakhan and Saratov. In the central part, the lines of land communications have the longest history and lead from Kyzyl-Orda and Aralsk to Orenburg.

The country is generously endowed mineral resources(among the republics of the former Union, the first place in the reserves of chromium, vanadium, polymetals, silver, tungsten, bismuth, bauxite, one of the first places in the reserves of copper, molybdenum, cadmium, asbestos, phosphorites, iron ores, coal, oil, gas). Accordingly, in the industrial production of Kazakhstan, there are non-ferrous metallurgy, mining, coal industry, supplemented by meat and wool washing. Moreover, the main industrial centers are located in Northern (including the Karaganda region), Eastern Kazakhstan (Rudny Altai with Ust-Kamenogorsk) and in the southeast in the foothill zone. One of the shortcomings of the economy is its low complexity, the poor development of many manufacturing industries (higher floors), which makes Kazakhstan related to Eastern Siberia and the Far East of the Russian Federation.

Recall the distinctive features of the geography of Kazakhstan - the largest (after the Russian Federation) on the territory of the "fragment" of the Soviet

Kazakhstan serves as a connecting intra-continental bridge between Slavic-Christian Russia and the Turkic South, between China (Xinjiang), Russia and Central Asia;

The Kazakhs, in the past typical nomads, belong to the Turkic ethno-linguistic group of peoples. By religion, they are Muslims, but the role of Islam in the public life of the country is relatively weakly expressed (nomadic civilization, the influence of the Soviet subculture, etc.);

The subsoil of the country is extremely rich in valuable minerals (WTO
place in the former USSR after Russia), and this led to pre
property development in the black republic (Temir-Tau) and color
noah (Ust-Kamenogorsk, Balkhash, etc.) metallurgy, coal
industry, iron ore mining, etc.;

Features of local climatic conditions (aridity)
led to the development of sheep breeding and the sectoral structure of light
industry (wool-washing, leather, sheepskin coats);
humid steppes of Northern Kazakhstan (once virgin and
fallow lands) - a large granary (even by world standards
kam);

A powerful Russian-speaking diaspora (Russian, Ukrainian, not
German community) in the north of Kazakhstan is an important factor
"West Slavic" (European) orientation of the country, over
200 years under the direct protectorate of Ros
Siysk state. (Transfer of the capital from Alma-Ata to the north -
to Astana aims to prevent geopolitical races
stake of the country to the Russian-speaking North and the Kazakh South.)

So, according to a number of economic indicators, Kazakhstan is one of the most significant states in the world. It has all the necessary resources (oil, ores, grain) for active trade with the world community. However, due to its border position with Russia and based on the fact that about two-thirds of the population of the republic are Slavs (moreover, they live compactly in the northern regions of the country bordering on the former metropolis), Astana is simply forced to focus primarily on its northern neighbor. We also add that the Russian Federation has not always skillfully used the Russian factor in Kazakhstan.

Orientation of Kazakhstan to the North is economically justified. Thus, the main product of Kazakhstan's export - grain, which is also grown in the "Slavic" regions bordering the former metropolis, is much more profitable and reliable to sell to the traditional buyer - Russia, than to look for new markets. The same can be said about the mining industry, which is closely connected with the metallurgical plants of the South

Noah of Siberia and the Urals. Perhaps the only branch of Kazakhstan that is of interest to the world market is the oil and gas industry.

Using the potential of Kazakhstan as a bridge or buffer to the maximum benefit for Russia is the most important task Russian politics. At the same time, the Russian Federation has real economic, cultural and political resources for the effective implementation of their interests:

a) long-term presence of the territory of modern Kazakhstan
as part of the Russian Empire and the USSR;

b) the presence of an extended common border;

c) common lines of communication;

d) preserved ties between Russian and Kazakh businesses
yaty;

e) the absence of natural boundaries that limit employees
quality;

f) joint dispersed residence of Kazakhs, Russians, UK
Rainians and "mixed" population on both sides of the Russian-
Kazakh border.

Uzbekistan. While Kazakhstan is the largest state in Central Asia by territory, Uzbekistan has the largest population (Uzbeks are the largest non-Slavic ethnic group in the former USSR). The country, located at the junction of the desert plains and mountain systems of the Tien Shan and Pamir-Alay, forms the core part of Central Asia and only it borders on each of the other states of the region. Most of the Fergana Valley - the "pearl" of Central Asia belongs to Uzbekistan, and the capital of the republic itself - Tashkent - is considered the traditional "gateway" of Central Asia.

Uzbekistan, whose territory includes foothill plains and intermountain basins in the upper reaches of rivers, is much better than its neighbors in providing water for irrigated agriculture. Using abundant thermal resources, the republic, while still part of the USSR, became the absolute producer of raw cotton and cotton fiber (about 2/3). IN last years the share of cotton in crops is declining, which was “expected” for a long time due to a sharp violation of the ecological balance in the region (including South Kazakhstan) - a decrease in water flow in rivers, the drying up of the Aral Sea, etc. Of the mineral wealth, gas, copper and tungsten ores, and sulfur are the most significant, and light and food industries, and mechanical engineering stand out in the structure of industry.

Many threads bind together Uzbeks and Tajiks (especially northern ones), belonging to the ancient Muslim (Uzbek-Tajik) civilization, which stands above the ethno-linguistic differences existing between these peoples. Traditionally, there were

There are two written languages ​​- Persian (or Persian-Tajik), which was used as the language of administration (including Uzbek), and "Chagatai Turks", from which the modern Uzbek language subsequently crystallized. The cell of the Uzbek (as well as Tajik) society is mahalla - an urban area-community with elements of autonomy and self-government, and in rural areas a village.

The most striking geographical features of Uzbekistan include the following:

Uzbekistan is the main "core" of one of the most ancient civilizations in the world (Uzbek-Tajik civilization);

Uzbeks are representatives of the Turkic group of peoples, for example
women of Islam, the most numerous ethnic group of Central

Within the region, the country occupies the most advantageous geopo
political position, having common borders with all the rest
mi republics;

The economy of Uzbekistan until recently was based
in the cultivation of cotton ("cotton republic"), in connection with which
the vast majority of dekhkans (peasants) live in irrigated oases
and is engaged in cotton growing, as well as in the production of light,
Food Industry, mechanical engineering.

Uzbekistan's desire to become a new regional leader in Central Asia is evidenced by both the foreign policy strategy and the statements of the Uzbek leadership. Thus, the idea of ​​a single common home - Turkestan - is most often repeated in the local media. It should not be forgotten that in Soviet time Uzbekistan was a kind of conductor of the policy of the Center in Central Asia, and this "habit" is still being felt. Claims for regional leadership are justified, among other things, by historical arguments: the presence of "great history and great spiritual heritage", "great culture". It is emphasized that at that time, when the population of neighboring countries still lived in tribes, sciences and arts were already flourishing on the territory of Uzbekistan.

In the post-Soviet era, Timur became the main historical authority in Uzbekistan, and, accordingly, the Uzbek statehood is counted from his empire. The Tashkent Museum of Timur has a map geographical areas influence (territories from which tribute was levied) of the great conqueror, which, in addition to North Africa and North India, included the vast territory of modern Russia with the current capital. All this to some extent predetermines the leadership ambitions of Uzbekistan.

Building its relations with Uzbekistan, Russia, of course, takes into account all these realities. In comparison with Kazakhstan, which, due to its geographical location, is “doomed”

Maintain friendly relations with the northern neighbor, Uzbekistan with its relative development, demographic and natural potential, as well as with a great attraction to the Turkic-Islamic world, can “afford” itself a greater degree of independence.

Tajikistan. Tajikistan is a high-mountainous country, 90% of the territory of which is occupied by mountains and highlands, and almost 50% of the territory is located at an altitude of 3,000 m. The surface structure is well distinguished here: 1) Alai mountain system(with the Turkestan, Zeravshan and Gissar ranges); 2) Pamir; 3) the western part of the Fergana Valley (Fergana Tajikistan) and 4) the southwestern part with the Vakhsh, Gissar and other valleys.

The borders of the republic pass mainly along natural boundaries - mountain ranges, intermountain depressions, river arteries. At the same time, they can be divided according to priority levels into the most important (not only for Tajikistan) - the former borders of the Soviet Union and internal - with the Central Asian states. The border with China (Xinjiang) stretches for about 500 km, and the border with Afghanistan (the provinces of Samangan, Kunduz, Badakhshan, Takhar, Balkh) for 1.5 thousand km. From the Central Asian states, Tajikistan borders on Uzbekistan (more than 1 thousand km) and with Kyrgyzstan (about 700 km).

Like other titular peoples of Soviet Central Asia (i.e., those who gave names to the republics), the Tajiks are part of the Islamic world. However, they are the only ones in this region who belong not to the Turkic, but to Iranian group peoples (Indo-European ethnolinguistic family). In the population of Tajikistan, the northern lowland Tajiks are clearly distinguished, belonging to a single civilization with the Uzbeks (the valley subculture of which is based on Samarkand, Bukhara, Ferghana and Khojent Tajiks, as well as Chagagai Tajiks), and southern mountain Tajiks (the mountainous subculture of southern Tajiks, whose lands were not included in the Turkestan Governor General, and then in the Turkestan Republic). Despite the unity of origin of the Pamir peoples (Shugnans, Garms, Rushans, Kalai Khumbs, Vanchs, Tajiks of Karategin, Darvaz, etc.), they are fragmented into local subcultures with their own dialects, customs, traditions, differences in traditional clothing and cuisine. Residents of the extreme south of Tajikistan (Gorny Badakhshan) do not feel family ties with the inhabitants of the north. In addition, a significant part of the southerners - Ismailis, those. Muslims of one of the branches of the Shiite persuasion, unlike other Muslims of Central Asia - Sunnis. The internal heterogeneity and dismemberment of Tajik society sometimes gives rise to calling Tajiks a community out of necessity.

Let us emphasize the most remarkable features of the geography of Tajikistan:

Within the framework of the Central Asian region, the country is "bordered" by the Turkic states, while the Tajiks themselves (Muslims by religion) belong to the Iranian ethno-linguistic group of peoples. At the same time, the Tajik ethnic group is among the disunited (between Tajikistan and Afghanistan);

Tajikistan is one of the most mountainous countries on the planet (Pamir is the roof of the world), which creates difficulties for economic activity and people's lives, the development of agriculture, the construction of communications, etc.;

Local rivers (the Vakhsh river, tributaries of the Pyanj river, etc.) take their toll
the beginning is high in the mountains, they are distinguished by high water and, thanks to
steep fall, have colossal on a global scale
bam hydropower reserves (which is why the production guide
roelectric power is one of the areas of economic special
country lysis);

Geopolitically, Tajikistan is located far from Russia and
has no common border with it. However, the destabilization here is about
installations (especially on the Afghan-Tajik border) is capable of
upset the balance of power throughout the region and jeopardize the eco-
economic and political interests of Russia.

In this troubled country political struggle indistinguishable from inter-regional, inter-clan. The fight is between three main clans: Leninabad(Northern Tajikistan), Karategin(mountainous region in the south of the republic) and Kulyab skim(south). IN early XXI in. the situation in Tajikistan remains unpredictable and dangerous. Any conflict, unfortunately, can initiate the dismemberment of the republic and, in turn, cause a wave of territorial redistribution in Central Asia, where the borders are conditional.

The greatest geo-economic attractiveness for Russian business is represented by Tajik hydropower resources. Within the territory of former USSR in terms of its hydropower potential, the republic was second only to vast Eastern Siberia. The access of Russian aluminum producers to Tajik HPPs would mean an increase in market power and a stronger competitive position in the world market. The Tajik authorities undertake to take into account the interests of Russian aluminum holdings in the future privatization of the Tajik aluminum plant.

As we can see, the geopolitical and geo-economic interests of Russia in Tajikistan are by no means illusory, but quite tangible. By gaining a foothold on this important geopolitical foothold, Russia will be able to much more actively influence the state of affairs throughout the Asian subcontinent, which in turn will allow it to pursue a more independent foreign policy and force its geopolitical

opponents (China, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Afghanistan, etc.) treat Russian interests more respectfully.

In the post-Soviet geopolitical space of Central Asia, the presence of Russia in Tajikistan will, firstly, protect the interests of the remaining, relatively large Russian-speaking diaspora. The hypothetical withdrawal of Russia from Tajikistan is likely to lead to panic among Russians and Russian-speakers, on the one hand, and to the strengthening of anti-Russian sentiments among various kinds of nationalists and fundamentalists, on the other. Secondly, it will help to exercise effective control over the penetration of drugs into the territory of Russia, since it is the "golden crescent" (Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran) that is one of the world's largest producers of opiate drugs (primarily heroin), and Tajikistan is the main transshipment point of drug traffickers on the way from the "golden crescent" to Europe. Thirdly, Russian business can reap real dividends that contribute to the development of the Tajik economy. Thus, the objective interests of the Russian Federation and Tajikistan itself largely coincide.

Kyrgyzstan. As an integral part of the USSR, Kyrgyzstan was traditionally viewed as a minor element in the structure of Soviet Central Asia, which was partly confirmed by its status as an autonomous republic within the RSFSR (subsequently upgraded to the status of a union republic). The country has neither a great cultural and historical heritage (unlike Uzbekistan and Tajikistan), nor a developed industry (like Kazakhstan), nor a great natural resource potential (like Turkmenistan). As a result, Kyrgyzstan is forced to engage in an intensive search for geopolitical and geo-economic "trump cards" for successful development. There is reason to believe that the political and economic orientation of Kyrgyzstan towards Russia is explained not only by the traditional ties of friendship between our peoples, but also by pragmatic considerations. According to the witty remark of the former president of this state A. Akayev, expressed in the 90s: "Russia is an icebreaker, if you don't go in its fairway, the ice will be crushed." Like Tajikistan adjacent to the south, Kyrgyzstan includes within its borders almost exclusively mountainous spaces - the Central and almost the entire Western Tien Shan, and in the extreme south part of the Pamir-Alai. A glance at the geographical map reveals a somewhat “deformed” geometrical configuration of the republic, whose territory in the western part is, as it were, “depressed” by the Ferghana Valley, which was ceded to Uzbekistan as a result of the national-state delimitation. Building a geopolitical strategy, Kyrgyzstan cannot but take into account its political and geographical position, which is largely determined by the common borders with Kazakhstan (about 1 thousand km), Uzbekistan

kistan (about 800 km), Tajikistan (about 700 km) and China (about 1 thousand km).

There are nuances, however, about which the geographical map is “silent”. Thus, two historically established parts are clearly distinguished within the republic: the north as a cultural "splinter" of the Semirechensk region and the south as a cultural "fragment" of the Fergana region. Accordingly, the northern part is distinguished by lively connections with South Kazakhstan (they are connected by a railway and a road), and the southern part is more integrated into the “Ferghana” cultural space, has land communications in common with Uzbekistan. Another nuance is connected with the very strong ties of good neighborly relations between the Kazakhs and the Kirghiz, which the Soviet press at the beginning of the 20th century. mistakenly perceived even as a single ethnic group. Hence it is clear that for the Russian Federation, which does not have a common border with the mountainous republic, Kazakhstan serves as the most important connecting "bridge".

Like Kazakhstan, the population of the republic increased markedly during the years of the Great Patriotic War due to evacuated people (often together with enterprises) and as a result of deportation to the republic of peoples from the European part of the USSR. Consequently specific gravity Kyrgyz in the republic has dropped significantly - up to 40%. After the rehabilitation of the deported peoples and their mass departure for historical homeland, as well as the collapse of the USSR and the emergence of the problem of refugees, the share of the Kyrgyz began to rise. At the same time, the combination of progressive poverty and the uncertainty of prospects for the Russian-speaking population negatively affects the dynamics of the latter's emigration. Even giving a special status to the Russian language could not change the situation, since poor knowledge of the Kyrgyz language, unemployment, and economic problems clearly outweighed the scales.

The situation is complicated by the ambiguity of the strategic paths for the development of the national economy and due to problems with the sources of initial accumulation of capital. The rugged terrain limits the development of agriculture, and to a lesser extent, pasture animal husbandry (sheep, goats, horses). Of greatest interest for agriculture are a few valleys - Chui, Talas and the Kyrgyz part of the international Fergana Valley. Mountain rivers (Naryn, Talas, Chu, etc.) serve as a source of electricity and water for irrigation. The local economy is based mainly on the breeding of fine-fleeced and semi-fine-fleeced sheep, the cultivation of cereals, beets, tobacco, as well as on the production of light products (wool-washing, woolen, leather) and the food industry.

We emphasize the main geographical features Kyrgyzstan: like Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan is a mountainous country (1/3 of the territory lies above 3,000 m), which is reflected in

the way of life of the local population and the economy of the country (grazing, irrigated agriculture in the valleys and intermountain basins);

Kyrgyz (by religion - Muslims, but the role of Islam
ma, as in Kazakhstan, is weakly expressed in public life)
belong to the Turkic ethno-linguistic group of peoples,
although their distant ancestors, who migrated to the foothills of the Tien Shan
from the upper reaches of the distant Yenisei, belonged to the Mongolian group
Altai family of peoples;

The industry of the republic does not have a clearly defined international
native specialization. Main economic region - Chui-
sky valley, where 2/3 of the industrial and most of
agricultural products of the country.

From the point of view of the world community, this country is a deep province, a distant periphery. Based on this sad reality, the Kyrgyz authorities understand that they cannot count on the great interest of world business, given the country's poverty in mineral resources of export value. Nevertheless, this Central Asian state has already received considerable Western loans, standing out among its neighbors with a pronounced democratic image of power structures. Unlike the authoritarian-minded leaders of some neighboring states, the leadership of Kyrgyzstan is trying to follow, not in words, but in deeds, democratic, liberal values, and their attempts have not gone unnoticed in the West, where they consider Kyrgyzstan as an example that can prove the fundamental possibility of inculcating Western liberal democratic values ​​on Central Asian soil.

Unlike the United States, Russia has not only geopolitical, but also geo-economic and geo-cultural interest in the republic. The most attractive object for Russian capital is the mining industry, primarily gold mining. However, Russian business is also interested in acquiring large stakes in leading Kyrgyz manufacturing enterprises, which in some cases still maintain production and infrastructure ties with Russian enterprises.

In addition to objective economic conditions, Kyrgyzstan has another circumstance that pushes this country towards a close alliance with Russia. About 30% of the republic's population are Slavs; 3 times more than in Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan. Consequently, Bishkek simply cannot ignore the "Russian factor" when determining the foreign policy of its state. In geopolitical terms, the significance of Kyrgyzstan for Russia is determined, among other things, by its long border with

China, the danger of the spread of Islamic fundamentalism to the territory of Central Asia, as well as the increased attention of the West to it.

Turkmenistan. After the conquest of Central Asia by Russia, as is known, the question arose of delimiting the acquired territory. It was decided not to inherit the borders of the Emirate of Bukhara, the Khiva Khanate and Turkmenistan, but to divide Central Asia into the Turkestan Territory and the Transcaspian Region. The authorities partly proceeded from the fact that the Turkestan region was clearly oriented "inward", which could not be said about the Transcaspian region, where the geopolitical influence of Persia and even Afghanistan was felt. From the height of today's "epiphany", the reasonableness of such a decision, of course, can be questioned, since in the new conditions it significantly facilitates the drift of Turkmenistan away from Russia and serves as a kind of argument in favor of the status of permanent neutrality adopted by this country (the UN recognized this status by a resolution of 12.12 .1995).

Modern Turkmenistan, almost equal in territory to France, is located in the southwest of Central Asia, adjoins the Caspian Sea, borders Iran and Afghanistan in the south, and Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan in the north and east. 9/10 of its territory is a sandy desert Kara-Kum, always greatly aggravated the life of the local population. The local population is concentrated along the perimeter, along the borders with Uzbekistan (in the middle reaches of the Amu Darya and along the left bank), in the valleys of the Murgab and Tedzhen rivers, in the foothill plains of the Kopetdag ridge and in the Caspian, mainly in the region of the Krasnovodsk Bay.

Given the "water hunger", the Soviet government in 1947 decided to build the Great Karakum Canal (from the middle reaches of the Amu Darya to the foothills of the Kopetdag and further to Krasnovodsk on the Caspian coast), designed to improve the water supply of the republic. Being one of the greatest hydraulic structures in the world, this canal has simultaneously become an example of an anti-environmental solution to the problem due to the enormous volumes of water evaporation from its surface. (Under such thermal conditions, man-made streams are usually built closed to minimize water evaporation and infiltration.)

For many years, the Turkmen Republic remained a typical agricultural outskirts of the USSR, specializing in sheep breeding and cotton cultivation (especially after the construction of the Karakum Canal). However, the discovery of huge reserves of oil and gas dramatically changed the nature of its economic specialization and, with a relatively small population, gave rise to hopes for rapid prosperity here (similar to the countries of the Persian Gulf).

We note the main features of the geography of this Central Asian state:

Geographically, Turkmenistan is the southernmost and at the same time
but the westernmost country of the region, geographically close
naya to Iran (an extended common border) and to Turkey, which in
to a large extent allows the authorities of this country to build
play “their own” geopolitical “game”;

Turkmenistan is the most arid country of the new abroad,
90% of its territory is occupied by desert landscapes. In connection with
this is the nature of the settlement of the Turkmens and the pattern of agriculture
wear a pronounced oasis character. life problem
mine is irrigation(moreover, water as the main life
the resource is "imported" until it is on commercial basis, from
neighboring countries)

Turkmens belong to the Turkic group of peoples and are
adherents of Islam. IN social organization Turkmen
society reveals the features of a tribal organization;

The Turkmen economy is based on the extraction and export of nature
gas and oil, as well as growing cotton and raising sheep.

Until recently, economic relations between Russia and Turkmenistan have been viewed mainly through the prism of gas trade. Russia is clearly aware that Turkmenistan is one of Russia's most serious competitors in the world gas and, to a lesser extent, oil markets, and that it is hardly reasonable to hope for a long time to maintain the current configuration of the pipeline network oriented towards Russia. In this regard, our country is interested in finding ways for a long-term strategic partnership between two major world gas exporters. On the one hand, Turkmenistan is interested in diversifying its pipeline infrastructure, in particular, in the implementation of the trans-Caspian pipeline: Turkmenistan-Azerbaijan-Georgia-Turkey-Europe. On the other hand, the new government of this country has set a course for a broader development of world economic ties, for the establishment of more versatile and trusting relations with Russia than before.

test questions and tasks

1. Specify the main components of the Central Asian identity. 2. Why is the ethnocultural proximity of Uzbeks and Tajiks higher than the ethnolinguistic differences between these peoples?

3. Compare natural resource potential Central Asian states
gifts Evaluate it from the point of view of Russia's geo-economic interests.

4. What is the uniqueness of the Ferghana Valley? 5. "Draw" the scene
narion of the future relations of our country with the Central Asian
mi states, taking into account its geopolitical, geo-economic and geo
cultural interests.

The list of Central Asian countries is not too extensive, but the regions themselves occupy a sufficient part of the land in their territory. These regions have their own economy, rich history, and unique cultural heritage. Before traveling for a holiday in these regions, you should familiarize yourself with the basic geographical information, superficially study the culture, economic nuances, and many other useful aspects.

Asia is conditionally divided into the following regions: Southern part, Northern part, East Asia, South-Eastern part, Western part, Central Asia, Central part, South-West part.

The composition of South Asia: Bangladesh, Afghanistan, India, Iran, Nepal, Pakistan, Bhutan, Maldives and Sri Lanka.

The central part includes: Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and the eastern Russian part.

Countries of Central-East Asia: the same as in the central part, but all of Korea, China, Japan and Mongolia are additionally joined from the east.

Western part: Armenia, Palestine, Azerbaijan, Saudi Arabia, Georgia, Turkey, Bahrain, Syria, Israel, United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Oman, Kuwait, Cyprus, Lebanon and Iraq.

The southeastern part consists of: Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Myanmar, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Singapore, Laos, Philippines, Cambodia, Laos.

The central part of Asia is the middle territory of the region, familiar to most people who previously lived on the former borders of the USSR, in which Kazakhstan did not fit earlier. Based on ethnic and cultural characteristics, the territorial composition of the Asian middle part may also include eastern Turkic peoples, such as the inhabitants of Tibet and the Mongols. Central Asia is surrounded by land on all sides, there is no access to large bodies of water. The Caspian Sea does not flow anywhere, the reservoir has no outlet. The geographical center of Asia is the Republic of Tuva, located on the territory Russian Federation.

The central part of Asia will in any case consist of the Central Asian republics of the previously known USSR and Kazakhstan. Also, this conditionally divided territorial marking includes, in part or in full, other states. List of Central Asian countries:

• - depending on various geographical sources, this country can be fully or partially included in other centers, for example, in the front or southern part of Asia;
• Indian region Ladakh;
• It enters the central part only partially, but still most of it belongs to the western region;
• - partially;
• - fully;
• is part of the territorial composition of Central Asia, but if we consider the political aspect, then this site belongs to the eastern side;
• - closer to the eastern center than to the middle;
• geographically - central, but the political aspect refers it to the eastern territories;
• Part of the Russian Federation;

Historical and cultural heritage in the central countries

Today, the central part of Asia consists of five full-fledged states: Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan. Previously, according to the Soviet state, Kazakhstan was not included in the list of the above Islamic states, it was equated closer to the Siberian region in Russia. However, the modern world thinks otherwise, that Kazakhstan is the middle part of Asia, and not otherwise. The total territorial area of ​​the Central Asian region is 3 million 994 thousand 300 square kilometers.

The region also includes some of the world's smallest countries. In general, the population does not exceed 51 million inhabitants, and this number includes more than a hundred nationalities known to the world. Among them there are also residents of Tibet, Koreans, Germans and Austrians. The largest nation in central region- Uzbeks. The number of Uzbekistan today exceeds 30 million inhabitants, and in neighboring countries they are also found as national minorities, therefore this nation is recognized as the most numerous.

For the period of 1992, more than 10 million Russian inhabitants lived in the territory of the Central Asian region, but after the collapse of the USSR, large-scale migration began, as a result of which the number of Russians greatly decreased in the territories of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.

In the most populous country - Uzbekistan - there are famous ancient historical cities that carry all the safety of the country's culture. In the past, these were great states with a rich history - imperial nomadic civilizations and centers of the development of Islam in the Central Asian part.

For many centuries, students came from all over the continent to get the best education, since this region was famous for good Islamic colleges. Also in the center of Asia, Sufism, a widespread Islamic movement of the 7-8th century AD, was born. In addition to all this, the central part was famous for its pilgrimage sites, and the development of countries was successful compared to neighboring regions.

The Dervish Dance is a ritual to achieve unity with God. This is the main goal of Sufism, classical Muslim philosophy.

Basic information about the countries of the Central Asian region

Uzbekistan is representative in the very center. Historically, Uzbekistan is known for the fact that many trade routes passed through its territories. Known to the world Great Silk Road refers territorially to the Uzbek lands. For lovers of history and tourist travel the country will be to your liking, as its history and terrain are replete with interesting finds.

Ancient historical cities are concentrated in Uzbekistan. The best representatives of Eastern culture: Tashkent, Samarkand, Khiva, Bukhara, Kokand, Shakhrisabz. The most valuable representatives are concentrated in these places. Eastern culture- ancient monuments, architectural buildings, in general, a godsend for an inquisitive mind.

Kazakhstan in the Central Asian part is economically and territorially the most developed state. It is convenient for residents of the Russian Federation to get to this place, since Kazakhstan closely borders on the lands of Russia, and this has greatly influenced the cultural and historical heritage of the Kazakh homeland.

The traditions and national values ​​of the Kazakh people are closely intertwined with the events of the past - earlier this people was nomadic, the tribes constantly changed their place of residence, wandering through the steppes. Modern Kazakhstan looks different - the current culture resembles a symbiosis of the Islamic world with Russian traditions, the eastern mentality is tightly connected with the bordering people.

Kyrgyzstan is rightfully recognized as the most picturesque corner among all the bordering states on the territory of the Central Asian border. First of all, natural places look good, the Tien Shan, Pamir-Alai mountains, where many tourists want to go on an excursion. The landscape of the highlands is picturesquely replaced by green flat pastures, where nomadic peoples lived for centuries, and thinness was also fed.

Kyrgyzstan will also be interesting for rock climbers, as there are gorges and caves near crystal clear lakes that can be explored. Traditional values ​​in Kyrgyzstan have been formed for centuries, so their customs are closely connected with nomadic peoples, although the inhabitants of the country have long settled in their comfortable homes.