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Central Asia

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    Central Asia
    Central Asia is a large region, which takes up 2% of the whole land. After the collapse of the USSR, five independent states were proclaimed here: Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tadjikistan and 

    Turkmenistan.

Nature richly endowed the region - the largest Asian deserts and steppesdeserts and steppes Kyzyl-Kum and Karakum, are in the vicinity of mountain massives - the Tien-Shan and the Pamir. The longest Central Asian rivers are the Syrdarya and the Amudarya. Mountain lakes and reservoirs glitter in the sun like "blue pearls". Travelling through Central Asia one is surprised at the variety and contrast of its landscape. Central Asia is the native land of the ancient civilizations. Here appeared the ancient states of Bactria and Khoresm, Sogd and Parthia. Through these states the famous Great Silk Road passed, linking Europe and Asia. Majestic cities with beautiful palaces, mosques, minarets and madrassahs were erected over thousands of years. Many of them were ruined, yet tourists have an opportunity to admire lots of remaining parts of those constructions. But not only the cultural 
sights attract people here - Central Asia is also a paradise for those who are keep on sport. Central Asia offers enough places for different kinds of sport activity such as mountaineering, climbing, trekking, rafting, skiing, etc. 
The region is directly connected by air with 
the cities of Europe, USA, Asia and the Middle East. The unique nature, historical monuments, tourist infrastructure, the traditional hospitality and cordiality of local people make Central Asia attractive for international tourism. 
    UZBEKISTAN
Surface: 446,4 sq. km. Climate: continental. 
Average temperature: January - 4°C, July - 36°C 
Population: 22 million people. 
Languages: Uzbek and Russian. 
Religions: Islam, Christianity. 
Capital: Tashkent (2,3 min, inhabitants). 
Time: 4 hours ahead of GMT. 
National currency is soum. 1 scum = 100 tiyn. 
 SAMARKAND - the ancient capital of the huge Tamerlan`s Empire. Even nowadays the monuments of that time strike us by their size, beautiful mosaic with numerous drawings, the exactness and symmetry of architectural forms. The blue dome of Tamerlan`s Mausoleum - Cur- Emir and its inner ornamentation area unique. Complex of Mausoleum Shahi- zinda, Afrosiab - the ancient town, historical museums of the city, bazzar - the most interesting sights ot the city. Tourist can also see the fight and musical show in Registan Square, folk  show in Sher-Dor -  Madrassah, the theater of historical costume; the taste-room in the most ancient vine-making factory in Central Asia is famous among many of the tourists. 
 BUKHARA is considered to be one of the most ancient cities in the world. It is about 2500 years old. Many mosques and madrasahs (religious schools) are still preserved. Among them Char-Minor, Chashma- Aub, Gav-Kushon, Namazgoh. Cultural- religious complex Nakshbandi has been recently restored. One on the most ancient monuments I - Samanid's Mausoleum (9 - 10 c.) strikes by its geometrical strictness. Country residence of Bukhara emir - Sitorai Mohki-Hosa, architectural complex Laybi-Hauz, Ark fortress, Necropol Chor- Bakr are particularly popular. The gold embroidery and the coinage of Bukhara are very famous far from outside of the country. 
 KHIVA is the unique museum-town under the open sky. The main monuments, being preserved nowadays, dated 19 - 20 centuries, are concentrated inside Ichan-Kola - the old part of the city, surrounded by the fortress's walls. It seems that time has stopped here. From the top of Islam-Hodja minaret one can perfectly see Tashhauli - palace of Khiva Khan, Djl mosque, Pahlavan-makhmud Mausoleum, Shirgazi-khan Madrasah. There are wooden gates of the madrasah and mosques, every dwelling house is decorated with unique patterns. The famous Khiva carpets are valuable all over the world. 
    KYRGHIZSTAN
Surface: 198,500 sq. km. Mountains: 94 %(average altitude: 2,200 m, highest altitude: 7,439 m), plains: 6%. 
The climate is continental. The average temperature in January is from 4 to 14 degrees below zero, Centigrade, in July - from 12 to 30 above zero, Centigrade. 
Population: 4.4 min. Kyrgyz (52,8%) Russian (21.3%), Uzbeks (I 2.8%), Ukrainians (2.3%), Germans, Dungans, Kazakhs, Tanks, Tatars, Uigurs, Koreans. 
Religions: Moslems, Christians. Languages: Russian, Kyrgyz. 
Capital: Bishkek (632,000). 
Time: 4 hour ahead of GMT. 
National currency: I som = 100 tiyn, I USD= 17.2somll997), I DM=9.5som(1997). 
    THE PAMIR - ALAI
(Turkestanski range) mountain system links a series of ranges between the Samarkand oasis in the west and the Ferghana mountains in the east. The most famous and beautiful places in the Pamir - Alai are Ak-Soo, Karavshin and the Lyaliak gorges. This region may also be called the "Asian Patagonia" - pointed peaks with vertical walls, enormous glaciers attract those who are fond of extreme trekking and mountaineering. The Ferghana valley is the center of handicraft. In Margilan tourists surely will visit Silk Factory, where one can see the technology of silk production by hand beginning from unwinding cocoon to the dying of ready-made material. Ceramic factory in Rishtan is also very interesting. From Namangan tourists visit Sarichelek nature-reserve with the most beautiful lake, at the bank of which ancient Tian-Shan fir-trees grow, and the peaks of neighbouring mountains reach 4,500 m. Everyone visit Ferghana cannot help to go to Shahimardan. The Great Silk Road passed Throught Fergana and Alai valleys. Many tourists go to Kyrgyzstan and then to Kashgar from here. 
Turkmenistan Turkmenistan - the rich and ancient land of diligent people, won back from the Karakum desert. It has always attracted numerous conquerors. Annually the country experiences the"invasion" of many tourists who would like to see the ancient monuments of Kunya-Urgench and Merv, Nissa and Aktau. No one will depart without any souvenirs, jewelry decorations and certainly Turkmen carpets, the most famous carpets in the world. 
 From Turkmenistan many tourisl continue their travelling to Iran (Persia) and by ferry via the  Caspian Sea to Azerbaidjan. 
 
    KAZAKHSTAN
Kazakhstan - an independent state since 1991 member of the CIS. The territory is 2,717,300 sq. km. 
The highest point is Mt Khan-Tengri (7,010 m) in the Tengri - Tag range of the Central Tien-Shan mountain system. The climate is severely continental. 
The average temperature in January is 13 degrees below zero, Centigrade. The average temperature in July is 25 degrees above zero, Centigrade. The population is 17 million. The main nationalities are the Kazakhs and the Russians. 
Also Ukrainians, Tatars, Koreans, Germans, Uzbeks, Uigurs. 
The main religions are Islam and Christianity. Capital: since 199* the capital of Kazakhstan is Akmola. 
National currency: tenge. Official language: Kazakh. 
 
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