This book provides a profound geographical description and analysis of Central Asia. The authors take a synthetic approach in a period of critical transformation in the post-soviet time. The monograph analyzes comprehensively the physical and human geography as well as human-nature interactions of Central Asia with focus on Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. Natural processes are described at a systemic scale, focusing on ecological impacts and consequences and contemporary human adaptations and organization. It also discusses in which ways the human organizations try to apply solutions for their needs such as security, territorial management and resources renewability, material and functional needs, identity elaborations, culture and communication. The Geography of Central Asia appeals to scientists and students of regional geography and interested academics from other areas such as social, political, economic and environmental studies within the context of Central Asia. The book is also a very useful resource for field trips into this area.

In a unique survey, based on new census data, this book highlights the region's geographic, economic and ecological problems since 1945.

The emergence of Muslim republics has been part of a larger transformation experienced by the Middle East in the 1990s. The main purpose of this volume is to examine the impact of the transformation on the Middle East, especially Turkey and Iran.

Central Asia in Focus - Political & Economic Issues

The balance of economic and political powers is indeed changing. Newer powers like China are emerging through shared economic partnerships and this creates opportunities to grow and brings about new challenges in the stability, growth, and security of regional and global economy. The economic synergy of the Belt and Road is evolving, and it is resonating and impacting geopolitics, geoeconomics, and geostrategies. Central Asia is the new frontier, and it has the capacity to become a major global contributor. A heightened sense of continuum economic realization through collaboration is capable of bringing and showing prosperity and progress to the larger region. The work made in this research is in support of the Belt and Road initiatives, however, the focus of the research was to assess economic readiness of Central Asia. China is ready with its resources, its finances, and its manpower to take on the BRI challenges towards achieving national prosperity and solidarity glory for China. For Central Asia, the BRI is an important feat that it needs to secure for its own development course, but how ready are they? This research study is the gate that opens up to new and more of such works for the next 30 years.

This book describes the geography of Uzbekistan and its unique history and culture. It focuses on the development of Uzbekistan as a result of its location on the crossroads of the Silk Road. The influence of global and regional environmental challenges on the current landscape and similar issues are discussed and analyzed from a historical perspective. Contemporary tensions and reforms in social, economical and cultural life are described with the aim to draw a picture of modern paths to transformation and development. The Geography of Uzbekistan includes also information on geology, nature and natural resources, in particular water. The book discusses the social and environmental impacts of the Aral Sea disaster and shows new paths of transformation and development for this Central Asian country.