Physical Environment and Agricultural Development

Abstract

Central Asia is located within the vast Aralo-Caspian basin. Being a part of the continent of Asia, Central Asia is bordered on the south by mountain chains of the Kopetdag and the Parapamis, and on the east by piedmont plains of the Dzhungarian Alatau, the Tian-Shan and the Pamir. Deserts and semi-deserts of Central Asia are divided by the highest mountains from the tropical belt of Asia. Vast desert plains devoid of surface runoff, piedmont plains and oases of irrigated soils are the main landscapes of the region. Mountain landscapes are typical for the southern and eastern parts of this territory. Central Asia occupies an area of 4,994.4 mln. km². Its population totaled 51.8 mln. in 1991.

Entrails of the unfathomable Asia

Like a flaring volcano

Sent to us millions off-springs,

The ardent hurricane was blowing from steppe,

And steppe was disturbed like ocean.

The Orient was fraught with apparition of Ching gis Khan!

At that time Russia alone

Was a sentry post of Europe,

And Russian people shed blood

About their faith...

A. N. Maikov — Klermont Cathedral

Translated from Russian by N/ G. Kharin