History, Climate, and Geography of the region. Pictures of historical monuments.

History of conquests. Influence of climate and geography on the history of region.

The climate and geography of Central Asia has played a defining role in its history. The arid weather across much of the region was not conducive to agriculture, while its distance from the sea kept it isolated from much trade, which was mainly carried out through natural sea ports. Consequently, few major cities developed in Central Asia, and for millennia it was dominated by the nomads of the steppe regions, who were very accomplished horseback riders. The lifestyle of the nomadic horse people was well suited to warfare, and the steppe terrain allowed for rapid mobility. Thus they became very militarily potent. Once they finally became internally unified, they became a nearly unstoppable power. Internal unification was most likely achieved because of the influence of the Great Silk Road, which ran through Central Asia. Occasionally, great leaders would manage to organize several nomadic tribes into one mighty force. This is how the Hun invasion of Europe was organized, and the great Mongol conquest of most of Eurasia. From this period came such mighty conquerors as Alexander the Great, Genghis Khan and Attila the Hun.

History of Central Asia from the sixteenth century till the present time

Brief history of Central Asia: With the development of firearms in the sixteenth century, settled populations of Central Asia were much better able to exercise control of their region; consequently the dominance of the nomadic people greatly diminished. In the nineteenth century Russia, China, India, Turkey and other powers began to expand into the region. After the Russian Revolution in the nineteen hundreds, Central Asia was incorporated into the Soviet Union. When the Soviet Union eventually collapsed, five independent countries emerged, and these same five today comprise Central Asia. Each of the five independent republics has its own fascinating history, scenery, customs, architecture, cuisine, and art forms. Much more than merely interesting, travel to Central Asia is nothing short of an exciting adventure to some of the most environmentally beautiful and historically ancient places in the world.

Pictures of Central Asia's Historical Monuments

Khast Imam Mosque, Tashkent

Catholic Church, Tashkent

Christian Church, Tashkent