Geography of the Global Village - Lecture 16 Notes: Central Asia
Introduction to Asia and its Direction
The term "Asia" and "East" both signify the region towards the sunrise.
Middle East as a misnomer:
The term suggests a central position in Asia, but it refers to the far corner of Southwest Asia instead.
Geographical Segmentation
Geographers use terms like "cis" (this side) and "trans" (beyond) for segmentation.
"Hither Asia" (Near East) contrasts with "Further Asia" (Far East).
Size and Population of Asia
Asia is the largest continent, significantly surpassing Africa and North America in size.
For instance, Africa is less than three-quarters the size of Asia, while North America is barely half.
Over 60% of the world’s population resides in Asia, predominantly in Further Asia, with a population nearly four times larger than that of any other continent.
Cultural Diversity in Asia
Asia's population is extremely diverse, making the unifying term "Asian civilization" problematic.
Alexander White noted that cultural contrasts are more profound in Asia than in Europe, emphasizing there are numerous distinct Asian civilizations.
Geographic barriers, particularly the significant mountain ranges, have historically hindered cultural exchange.
The Great Mountain Chain
This chain begins in the Far East (Western China) and runs through Afghanistan, Iran, and into Turkey.
Ancient geographers like Eratosthenes were integral in recognizing this geographical feature.
The Taurus Mountains were noted as a division between northern and southern Asia.
Tartary and its Characteristics
Tartary, historical term for a vast area in Central Asia known as Scythia, characterized by steppe and semi-desert areas.
Descriptions of Tartary highlight its reputation as an inhospitable land filled with nomadic tribes.
The Reputation of the Tartars
The Tartars became identified with the biblical tribes of Gog and Magog due to the destruction they caused throughout Asia and Europe.
Their reputation was bolstered by their ferocity, mobility, and efficiency in warfare (cavalry tactics).
Conditions Allowing Tartar Domination
Their geographical location gave them easy access to the surrounding civilizations.
Mobility due to horsemanship was crucial, as they were adept cavalrymen, leading to their effectiveness in combat.
Geographical Patterns in Central Asia
The geography is complex yet can be visualized as a pinwheel centered at the Pamir Knot with three major uplands:
Tian Shan Mountains to the north.
Tibetan Plateau to the east.
Iranian Plateau to the west.
Between these uplands are several low desert basins, crucial for understanding settlement patterns:
Turan Basin in the northwest and Tarim Basin in the east.
Cultural and Ethnic Distributions
The inhabitants of these regions are often divided into ethnic groups, with the Turks in the western part of Tartary and Mongols in the eastern regions.
Oasis Settlements
Piedmont oases occur where mountains meet deserts, allowing for irrigation and cultivation due to streams flowing down and creating habitable areas.
Exotic rivers such as the Amu Darya and Syr Darya also support oases by flowing through desert areas to create riverine environments.
Significant Regions and their Characteristics
Hindu Kush and its routes through Afghanistan to India were historically significant as access points for trade and military movements.
The plains and oases around the Helmand River in Afghanistan are vital for local agriculture.
The relationship between significant powers (Russia, China, British India) in Central Asia evolved over centuries, impacting modern geopolitical structures.
Modern Impacts and Changes
The geography of Central Asia has been reshaped through historical conquests and colonial divisions into modern republics (Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, etc.) and shifting influences of great powers.