Central Asia
 Facade of Bibi Khanym Mosque in Samarkand, Uzbekistan |
Travel to Central Asia is a fascinating journey into the ancient past of human civilization. On any tour of Central Asia, travelers will discover breath-takingly beautiful architecture, historical exhibits, and thrilling archeological finds. All of this attests to the fact that the history of Central Asia is truly ancient, reaching back at least twenty - five centuries.
The territory of Central Asia
The territory of Central Asia is larger in size than Germany, France, and Great Britain combined. Tourists will discover that in Central Asia there is a climate to suit all tastes. Here you will find winding rivers, vast valleys, tall mountain ranges, great deserts, and tropical regions. There are also vast areas of grassy, treeless steppes. These naturally formed steppe areas of Central Asia, along with the steppes of Eastern Europe, are considered a homogenous geographical zone called the Euro-Asian Steppe. In the arid deserts, far from the Sea, the traveler can feel the hot dry desert wind against his face. Central Asia is also home to high snow-tipped mountains, a stunning sight that is both visually and spiritually refreshing. In the sub-tropical regions on the shores of the Black Sea, Central Asia offers a paradise of blue skies, balmy breezes, palm trees and bright tropical flowers. The air is scented with the perfume of lemon and orange citrus trees. An incredible variety of vegetables and fruits are abundant in the bustling marketplaces in this area of Central Asia. Some of these marketplaces and bazaars have stood in the same spot for centuries. Geographically, Central Asia reaches from the Caspian Sea on the west to the borders of China in the east. Central Asia shares a southern border with Afghanistan and Iran, and stretches north to the Aral-Irtysh watershed. A land of great extremes, Central Asia is home to the northernmost desert in the world, at Buurug Deliin Els, Mongolia, as well as the southernmost permafrost in the northern hemisphere, which is also located in Mongolia. In addition, Central Asia holds the record for the shortest distance in the world between a non-frozen desert and a permafrost region. These two facts demonstrate the essence of Central Asia—a land of wide contrasts and mystery.Read about history of Central Asia
 Azure dome of Sher Dor Madrasah, Samarkand |
Great Silk Road and its influance on Central Asia's history
The famous Great Silk Road ran through Central Asia, making it a very significant and important region in terms of human evolution, cultural exchange, trade and commerce. It was also vital for the exchange of knowledge, philosophy, religion and ideas. The Silk Road was basically a great crossroads between Europe, southern Asia, western Asia and East Asia. Unfortunately, this vital and strategic geographical situation also made the area a prime target for invading empires. Many savage and historic battles were fought throughout the centuries in Central Asia. Time and time again the people were subjugated and their legacy smashed and shattered, yet inevitably they would rise again, somehow managing to preserve the very unique nature of the culture of Central Asia.
One result of this series of invasions is the creation of an extremely diverse population. Central Asia is an exciting blend of many cultures, with a strong undercurrent of Central Asian integrity. Among the mixed population the tourist to Central Asia will find influences of India, China, Russia, Pakistan, and Persia. The influence of the eclectic culture is seen in the unique art, architecture, theatre and music of Central Asia.
History of Silk Road
Countries of Central Asia you can visit while travelling
Central Asia is, in modern context, comprised of the following five independent republics:
Uzbekistan,
Kazakhstan,
Turkmenistan,
Kyrgyzstan, and
Tajikistan. There are over one hundred different ethnic groups among the population, the largest of which is the Uzbeks. Besides numbering over twenty seven million in Uzbekistan, the Uzbeks also make up a substantial minority in the other four Countries of Central Asia. Other ethnic groups include Tibetan, German, Russian and Korean. Uzbekistan is home to a great many mosques, monuments and museums for the tourist to explore. On your tour of Uzbekistan you will discover a very unique and fascinating cultural and historical world.
 Tourists visiting Registan Square in Samarkand, Uzbekistan |
Why travel to Central Asia
Nowhere else on earth can you find the same invigorating contrasts of ancient with contemporary; Only in Central Asia can one discover and revel in extremes such as lush tropical regions, frozen landscapes, high mountain ranges and sweet irrigated valleys, and the dry, isolated beauty of the great deserts. Travel to Central Asia provides visitors with a land rich in history and tradition, lovely natural environmental delights, stunning archeology, and so many surprises in terms of contrasts that there is never a dull moment on any tour to Central Asia. Central Asia offers the traveler an exciting window into the past, as well as a singularly unique and thrilling travel experience.
Adventure Tours to Central Asia
Pictures of must-see places in Central Asia
Registan Square
Bibi-Khanim Mosque
Shakhi-Zinda Mausoleums
Gur-e Amir Mausoleum
Ulugbek's observatory
Afrasiab museum
Other Central Asia Travel links
UNESCO.org History of Civilizations of Central Asia
WikiTravel.org Central Asia Travel Guide
Wikipedia.org About Central Asia
Pictures of Samarkand, Uzbekistan
