Physical Geography of Central Asia

Physical Geography of Central Asia

7.2.1 PR Places and Regions in Asia

7.2.2 ER Environment and Resources of Asia

Location of Central Asia (Part 1)

• Bordered by Russia to the north, China to the east and Iran (Persia) to the south, and often influenced by all three cultures in history

• The Silk Road ran through cities in Central Asia such as Samarkand.

• The region has been part of and the source of numerous empires.

Location of Central Asia (Part 2)

• All five countries are landlocked, meaning that they have no outlet to the sea/ocean. The Caspian Sea does not count because it is not connected to the ocean.

• Being landlocked makes it difficult to trade with other countries. Many of the poorest countries in the world are landlocked.

Multiple Choice

What historically important trade route, connecting China with Europe, ran through Central Asia?

• Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade

• Trans-Saharan Gold Trade

• Amber Road

• Silk Road

Multiple Choice

This is a map of Africa. Which number correctly identifies a landlocked country?

• 1

• 2

• 3

• 4

Multiple Choice

How does being landlocked partially explain the relative poverty of Central Asian nations?

• They have no fishing industry

• Trade with other countries is more difficult

• It causes lack of access to fresh water

• They are easily invaded and conquered

States (and Capitals) of Central Asia

• The suffix "-stan" comes from the ancient Persian word for "place of," so, for example, Afghanistan means "place of the Afghans."

• Kazakhstan (Astana/Nur-Sultan)

• Uzbekistan (Tashkent)

• Turkmenistan (Ashgabat)

• Kyrgyzstan (Bishkek)

• Tajikistan (Dushanbe)

Multiple Choice

This is a map of Central Asia. Which number correctly identifies Kazakhstan?

• 1

• 2

• 3

• 4

Multiple Choice

This is a map of Central Asia. Which number correctly identifies Uzbekistan?

• 1

• 2

• 3

• 4

Multiple Choice

This is a map of Central Asia. Which number correctly identifies Turkmenistan?

• 2

• 3

• 4

• 5

Multiple Choice

This is a map of Central Asia. Which number correctly identifies Tajikistan?

• 2

• 3

• 4

• 5

Multiple Choice

This is a map of Central Asia. Which number correctly identifies Kyrgyzstan?

• 1

• 2

• 3

• 4

Physical Geography of Central Asia

• Caspian Sea in the west

• Tien Shan and Pamir Mountains in the southeast

• Altai Mountains in the northeast

• Aral Sea has mostly dried up

• Lake Balkhash

Biomes (Climate and Vegetation) of Central Asia

• Steppe (flat, dry grasslands) in north

• Desert in south

• Tundra (cold with frozen subsoil) in parts of Tajikistan because of the Tien Shan Mountains

Multiple Choice

This is a physical map of Central Asia. Which number correctly identifies an area that is steppe (flat, grassy plains)?

• 1

• 2

• 3

• 4

Multiple Choice

What kind of biome would one find in the area marked 3 on the map?

• steppe (flat grasslands)

• tropical rainforest

• desert

• tundra

Multiple Choice

Which number correctly identifies the location of the Caspian Sea?

• 8

• 5

• 4

• 2

Agriculture in Central Asia

• Because of deserts/mountains, only 20% of the land is arable (suitable for growing crops)

• Grazing/herding of animals is common because of this

• Wheat and rice are major crops

• Cotton is grown but requires irrigation, strains water supply

Resources in Central Asia

• large reserves of fossil fuels such as oil and natural gas

• large reserves of minerals such as copper, gold, iron, lead, uranium

• many resources remain untapped due to lack of rail and road

Multiple Choice

Why is herding and grazing of animals so prevalent across Central Asia?

• They do not know how to farm

• There is no arable land suitable for farming

• There is little arable land suitable for farming

• Farming is against their religion

Multiple Choice

Why is cotton growing a threat to the water supply of Central Asia?

• It pollutes the water

• It requires a lot of irrigation

• They use steam engines to spin and weave the cotton

• Because Mr. Thompson said so.

Multiple Choice

Why do many of Central Asia's resources remain untapped?

• They don't want mining to damage the environment

• There are very few mineral resources in Central Asia

• They lack roads and railroads to transport them

• Because Mr. Thompson said so.