UZBEKISTAN

UZBEKISTAN has the most people per square mile of any country in Central Asia. Its terrain is likewise diverse. Two-thirds of the territory is desert and steppe land, but there are also fertile areas, fast rivers, and snow-capped mountain peaks. Ancient cities along the Silk Road are starting to attract more and more tourists, and foreign investors are helping to develop the country's many mineral and energy resources. Uzbekistan is also the fifth largest producer of cotton, which is called "white gold" in the country.

NATIVE GAS

There is a plethora of natural resources to be found in Uzbekistan. It is rich in uranium, gold, coal, natural gas, and oil, among other minerals and fossil fuels. Large amounts of natural gas are shipped out of Russia via a pipeline that stretches all the way from Bukhara to the Urals. The local industry, which manufactures things like machinery and chemicals as well as aircraft, relies heavily on gas energy as its primary source of energy.

Muslim populated urban centers

For centuries, China relied on the Silk Road to trade with other regions of the world, including Central Asia, the Middle East, and even Europe. Ancient Islamic cities that served as important commerce hubs may be found all along its route. Famous cities in Uzbekistan include Samarkand, known for its stunning Islamic architecture, Bukhara, a Muslim pilgrimage destination, and Tashkent, nicknamed the "city of fountains."

TAJIKISTAN

There is only about 6 percent of arable land in Tajikistan, making it the poorest of the former Soviet Union states. Most of the population works in agriculture, raising crops like fruit, cotton, and tobacco, or tending to livestock, or in small factories making goods like carpets, silk, and wool. From the time of its independence in 1991 until peace was restored in 1997, Tajikistan was torn apart by armed conflict between the government and rebel factions.

FOLKS OF PAMIR VALLEY

There are fewer than a hundred thousand people who make their homes in the Pamir Mountains, where they raise crops and fruit in the region's fertile valleys and sheep and yaks on the barren high plains to the east. The valleys remain relatively autonomous from one another, and as a result, the area is home to a staggering linguistic and cultural diversity.

FERTILIOUS VALLEYS

Melted snow from the Tien Shan and Pamir mountains flows down into Tajikistan's Fergana and other river valleys in the spring, bringing rich, fertile mud with it. Irrigation channels channel this water into nearby fields, allowing farmers to grow a variety of crops.

TURKMENISTAN

Approximately 90% of Turkmenistan is covered by the huge Kara Kum ("Black Sands") Desert, where average annual temperatures soar beyond 122°F (50°C). Along the southern outskirts of the desert, a fertile belt of land exists where people grow cotton and other export goods. Since Turkmenistan's independence in 1991, the Turkmen language has replaced Russian as the official language, and Islam has regained its position as the dominant religion. Despite its poverty and relative isolation from the rest of the world, the country has significant natural gas reserves.

ASHGABAT

A massive earthquake that occurred in 1948 completely destroyed the vibrant market town of Ashgabat. The town was totally redesigned and rebuilt, and it is currently Turkmenistan's capital. The production of silk, lace, and carpets is centered in Ashgabat.

THE TURKWEN

Turkmen people can be found all over Central Asia, however many of them lead nomadic lifestyles. On the other hand, the majority of Turkmen who have settled in Turkmenistan do so in agricultural and equestrian occupations. They go to local horse exhibitions and buy and sell horses there, with the intention of exporting the animals to other nations. The Turkmen people are famous for their ability to develop valuable racehorses, such as the Akhal-Teke, which is a breed of horse that can move quickly in arid environments.

KARAKUM CANAL

From the Amu Darya River in the east to beyond Ashgabat in the west is the world's longest irrigation canal, covering a distance of 683 miles (1,100 km). A large area of dry land receives water from the Karakum Canal, popularly known as the "River of Life," allowing for the cultivation of cotton and other crops.

KYRGYZSTAN

Because of its rugged terrain, Kyrgyzstan is referred to as THE Switzerland of central Asia and more than half of its land is at or over 8,200 feet (2,500 m) above sea level. The Tien Shan Mountains, which are covered with snow, dominate the surrounding area, while the river basins are fertile and lush. Farming is what most people do. Because there is so little area available for farming, animal breeding is extremely crucial.

THE MOUNTAIN IS COVERED IN WEALTH

Mineral deposits abound in Kyrgyzstan's mountain ranges. Gold and mercury are the only two minerals that are mined for export; coal, oil, and gas are all extracted for use within the country. New hydroelectric power facilities have been built because the swiftly moving rivers are ideal for the generation of electricity, and these facilities have been constructed recently.

THE PEOPLE OF KYRGYZ

More over half of the population may trace their roots back to Kyrgyzstan. The horsemanship of these nomads has earned them a well-deserved reputation. The largest minority population consists of ethnic Russians, who predominately live in the cities and ran the economy leading up to the country's declaration of independence in 1991. As a result of the growing nationalist sentiment in Kyrgyzstan, many Russians have recently relocated back to their home country.

AFGHANISTAN

Afghanistan is strategically located between the Asian mainland and the Indian subcontinent. Therefore, the country has been fought over for a very long time. The majority of the country is inaccessible because there are no railroads and few built roads. After an invasion by Russian troops in 1979, Islamic mujahideen were able to push the invaders out of the nation. In 1996, the Taliban took over Kabul and implemented a strict code of conduct based on their interpretation of Islam. Their support for Osama bin Laden, who is wanted in connection with the World Trade Center attack, led to a US bombardment and a win for the opposing Northern Alliance in 2001.

FATEFUL IMPACT ON CULTURE

Two of the largest statues of Buddha in the world were destroyed by the Taliban in 2001 in Bamiyan. The highest statue, completed in the year AD 5, measured over 174 feet (53 meters) in height. Even though the Taliban said it was acceptable because Islam forbids depicting the human form in art, many other Islamic countries were not in agreement with their actions.

ISLAMIAN TALIBAN TERRITORIES

The word "Taliban" comes from the Pashtu language of Afghanistan and means "religious student." The harsh ideology of the Taliban was developed at religious academies in Pakistan and the south of Afghanistan. The Islamic militia known as the Taliban pledged peace and security to the people of Afghanistan in exchange for their submission to one of the most oppressive regimes in the world. The United States helped the Northern Alliance topple the Southern Alliance because it supported terrorist groups.

A number of Afghans, or kochis as they are known in the area, lead nomadic lifestyles. You can tell which clan is which by looking at the various patterns on the tents made of animal skin or felt that each family has used for countless centuries. These patterns have been passed down from generation to generation.

A DISPUTE ABOUT WOMEN

During the time of the Taliban, women in Afghanistan were treated badly and didn't have any important roles in society. Girls were not allowed to go to school, and they also couldn't go to work. They were not even allowed to leave the house without a male relative with them. This was a strict rule. When Afghan women were allowed outside, they had to wear a burqa, a traditional dress that covered them from head to toe.

WEAVING A CARPET

Northern Afghan Turkmens are skilled carpet manufacturers who knot and weave gorgeous karakul sheep wool into geometric designs using red, brown, and maroon colors. Their rugs are sold all over the world. Carpets are primarily woven by women and can serve a variety of purposes, including as saddlecloths, tent hangings, and prayer mats.