Central Asia

Synopsis

Lonely Planet: The world's leading travel guide publisher

Lonely Planet Central Asia is your passport to the most relevant, up-to-date advice on what to see and skip, and what hidden discoveries await you. Enjoy booming Almaty's cafes, clubs and shops, wind through rugged mountains past ancient tombs, hot springs, and remote Kyrgyz yurt camps on Tajikistan's Pamir Highway; and wonder at the architecture in Uzbekistan's Samarkand - all with your trusted travel companion. Get to the heart of central Asia and begin your journey now!

Inside Lonely Planet's Central Asia:

• Colour maps and images throughout
• Highlights and itineraries help you tailor your trip to your personal needs and interests
• Insider tips to save time and money and get around like a local, avoiding crowds and trouble spots
• Essential info at your fingertips - hours of operation, phone numbers, websites, transit tips, prices
• Honest reviews for all budgets - eating, sleeping, sightseeing, going out, shopping, hidden gems that most guidebooks miss
• Cultural insights provide a richer, more rewarding travel experience - covering history, art, literature, music, architecture, landscapes, wildlife, Islam in Central Asia, the Silk Road, Central Asia today
• Covers Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, and more

The Perfect Choice: Lonely Planet Central Asia is our most comprehensive guide to the region, and is perfect for discovering both popular and offbeat sights.

Travelling further afield? Check out Lonely Planet's Mongolia, China and Iran guides for a comprehensive look at all those countries have to offer.

About Lonely Planet: Lonely Planet is a leading travel media company and the world's number one travel guidebook brand, providing both inspiring and trustworthy information for every kind of traveller since 1973. Over the past four decades, we've printed over 145 million guidebooks and grown a dedicated, passionate global community of travellers. You'll also find our content online, and in mobile apps, video, 14 languages, nine international magazines, armchair and lifestyle books, ebooks, and more.

'Lonely Planet guides are, quite simply, like no other.' - New York Times

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Summary

Chapter 1: Introduction
* Provides historical and geographical context for Central Asia.
* Discusses the region's key features, including its vast steppes, mountains, and deserts.
* Example: The Silk Road, a network of trade routes connecting East Asia to Europe, played a significant role in the development of Central Asia.

Chapter 2: The Peoples of Central Asia
* Explores the diverse ethnic and linguistic groups of the region.
* Discusses the cultural traditions and languages of the region's inhabitants.
* Example: The Kazakhs, a Turkic-speaking nomadic people, have a rich tradition of horsemanship and falconry.

Chapter 3: History of Central Asia
* Covers the historical developments and major events in the region.
* Discusses the influence of empires, invasions, and cultural encounters.
* Example: Alexander the Great's conquest of Central Asia in the 4th century BCE had a lasting impact on the region's history.

Chapter 4: The Silk Road and Other Trade Routes
* Examines the role of Central Asia in the trade networks of Eurasia.
* Discusses the impact of trade on the region's economy and culture.
* Example: The Sogdian traders of Central Asia were instrumental in the development of the Silk Road and played a key role in cultural exchanges between East and West.

Chapter 5: The Rise of Islam in Central Asia
* Describes the arrival of Islam in the region and its impact on society.
* Discusses the spread of the faith and the establishment of Islamic states.
* Example: The Samanid Empire (9th-10th centuries) was a prominent Islamic power in Central Asia, known for its patronage of arts and sciences.

Chapter 6: The Mongol Invasions and Beyond
* Examines the dramatic impact of the Mongol invasions on Central Asia.
* Discusses the establishment of the Mongol Empire and its legacy.
* Example: The Mongol ruler Genghis Khan conquered much of Central Asia in the early 13th century, leaving a lasting impact on the region's political and social landscapes.

Chapter 7: The Russian Empire and Central Asia
* Explores the expansion of Russian influence in the region during the 19th century.
* Discusses the consequences of Russian imperialism for Central Asia.
* Example: The annexation of the Khanate of Khiva in 1873 brought much of Central Asia under Russian control.

Chapter 8: The Soviet Era in Central Asia
* Covers the period of Soviet rule in the region.
* Discusses the impact of Soviet policies on Central Asia's economy, society, and culture.
* Example: The Soviet Union's forced collectivization of agriculture in the 1930s had devastating consequences for the region's nomadic population.

Chapter 9: Independence and the Post-Soviet Era
* Examines the challenges and opportunities faced by Central Asia after the collapse of the Soviet Union.
* Discusses the region's current political and economic landscape.
* Example: Kazakhstan has emerged as a major oil exporter and has pursued economic reforms, while Tajikistan has struggled with ongoing political instability.

Chapter 10: Contemporary Issues
* Addresses contemporary challenges facing Central Asia, including:
* Economic development
* Political instability
* Environmental degradation
* Regional security
* Example: The Aral Sea crisis, one of the world's worst environmental disasters, has had severe implications for the region's economy and population.