CENTRAL ASIA: Economy, Environment and Culture

Central Asia, which consists of five states, viz., Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, is a bridge between the east and west. It is surrounded by powerful states like China in the east, Russia (CIS) in the north, Iran and Afghanistan in the south, and Turkey and European countries in the west.

In each state there are ethnic minorities but the policy of each state is based on secularism. Its economy, which is primarily based on nomadic herding, is fast changing. Although more than half the area of Central Asia is desert, the extensive irrigation has turned considerable area into smiling fields with consequent adverse environmental effects leading to shrinkage of the Aral Sea. The future of Central Asia lies in sustainable development.

This introductory text on Central Asia provides coverage to broad range of political, historical, economic and cultural issues in the region. This analysis of modern states in Central Asia will certainly provide an understanding to the geo-politics of the region. Both students and teachers of geography, history, economics and politics will find this book highly informative and comprehensive research source.

Mohammad Shafi is Professor Emeritus in the Department of Geography, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh. A Ph.D. from the London School of Economics, his works have been widely acclaimed and very well quoted in India and abroad. Author of twelve books and over 140 research papers, Prof. Shafi enjoys international academic reputation. He was Vice President of the International Geographical Union (IGU) from 1984-1992 and has presided over international conferences in more then 25 countries.

Having received numerous awards and honours from national and international academic community for his outstanding achievements, the Government of India also conferred on him Padma Shri in 2001. The International Geographical Union also conferred on him ‘Laureat d’Honneur’ in 2004, the highest honour to be received by an Indian geographer.