Childrens Illustrated World Atlas

Mapping the World

FOREIGN NAMES

Features on the maps are generally

labeled in the language of that country.

For example, it would be:

Lake on English-speaking countries

Lago on Spanish-speaking countries

Lac on French-speaking countries

However, if a feature is well-known

or mentioned in the main text on the

page, it will appear there in English

so that readers can find it easily.

ABOUT THE ATLAS

This atlas is divided into six

continental sections—North America,

South America, Africa, Europe, Asia,

and Australasia and Oceania. Each

country, or group of countries, then

has its own map that shows cities,

towns, and main geographical

features such as rivers, lakes, and

mountain ranges. Photographs

and text provide detailed information

about life in that country—its people,

traditions, politics, and economy.

Each continental section has a

different color border to help

you locate that section. There is

also a gazetteer and an index to

help you access information.

Mapping the World

MAP LOCATOR

This map shows, in red, the location

of each country, part of a country, or

group of countries in relation to the

whole planet. There is a locator for

each map in the book.

MAP COLORS

The colors shown on the maps are built up

from numerous satellite photographs and reflect

the true colors of the land, averaged over the

seasons. Certain colors give clues to what

the land is like—whether it is forested or

farmland, mountains or desert.

Land appearing sandy tends to

be desert, semi-desert, or scrub.

Mountainous desert looks like

this, with shadows on the

sandy background color.

Pale green is usually grassland

or crop land.

Darker greens usually indicate

wooded land or pasture.

White shows land under

permanent cover by snow

and ice.

SCALE

Each map features a scale that shows

how distances on the map relate to

miles and kilometers. The scale guide

can be used to see how big a country

is. Not all maps in the book are drawn

to the same scale.

USING THE GRID REFERENCES

The letters and numbers around the outside of the page

form a grid to help you find places on the map. For

example, to find Kabul, look up its name in the gazetteer

(see pp.112–133), and you’ll find the reference 85 J7. The

first number is the page, the letter and number refer to

the square made by following up or down from J and

across from 7 to form J7.

Zeravshan

Amu Da

rya

Murgap

Garagum Canal

Daryā-ye Helmand

Harīrūd Daryā-y

e Kahmard^

Surkhob^

Daryā-ye Morghā

b

Bartang^

Pamir^

Daryā-ye^ Ar

ghandāb

Farāh^ Rūd

TürkmenbașyAylagy

Ozero Issyk-Kul’

Hāmūn-e Şāberī

AralSea

Caspian

Sea

SarygamyșKöli

Aydarko’l (^) Ko’li
KAZAKHSTAN^
KAZA
KHS
TAN
C
HI
N
A
PAK
IST
AN^
PAKISTAN
TURKMENISTAN
UZBEKISTAN
AFGHAN ISTAN
TAJIKISTAN
KYRGYZSTAN
Pa
mi
rs
Sarikol
Ran
ge
Rēgestān^
BelentligiGarabil
Dasht-e^ Mārgow
AngyrsyndakyÜngüz
Garagum
Selseleh-ye Safīd Kūh
Torkestan Mountains
Kūh-e^ Bābā
Gara
gum
Kopetdag G
ershi
Chat Khrebe Mtoldo-Too
kal^ Range
Kokshaal-Tau
Gissar
Range
Uc‚taga
n Gum
y
Gapla
ngyr P
latosy
Kirghi
z Range
Dasht-e^ Khās
h
Kelif
Uzboyy
Chāgai^ Hills
Ustyurt
Plateau
T
u
ra
n^
Lo
wl
and^
Hin
du^ Kus
h
Kyzyl Kum
Ti
en
S
han
Qullai Ismoili Somoní 24,590ft (7495m)
Khyber Pass3543ft (1080m)
Jengish Chokusu/Tömür Feng24,406ft
(7439m)
Gora Manas14,705ft (4482m)
Baroghil Pass 12,392ft (3777m)
9478ft (2889m) Gora Chapan
Hazar Bereket
Serdar
Geok-TepeAbadan
Köneürgenc‚
Mo’ynoq
Kaka
Gubadag
ChimboyTaxtako’pir
Tejen
Ghōrīān
Sarahs
To’rtko’lLebap
Zaranj
Bayramaly
Farāh
Seýdi
Gazli
Saýat
Uchquduq
Zarafshon
Lashkar Gāh
Kogon
Gereshk
Atamyrat
G’ijduvon
Andkhvoy
Koson
Oqtosh
Shibirghān
NurotaLangar
Kitob
Qalāt
Boysun
Urgut
Jarqo’rg’on
Khulm
Ghaznī
Pul-e Khumrī Baghlān
Danghara
Sulyukta
Gardēz
Khānābād
Chārīkār
Moskva
Norak
Tāloqān
Khōst
KhorughFeyzābād
Khaydarkan
Tash-Kumyr
Talas
Naryn
Balykchy TyupKyzyl-Suu
Magtymguly
Gazojak
Derweze
Gurbansoltan Eje
Baharly
Towraghoudī
Galkynyș
Du ̆stí
Qal’aikhum
Sary-Tash
Qaroku ̆l
Murgab
Daroot-Korgon
Ghu ̆dara
Qizilrabot
Mah ̧mūd-e Rāqī
Ishkoshim
Bālā Murghāb
Shīndand
Serhetabat
Dilārām
Amyderýa
Mehtar Lām
Barīkowt
Leninpol’
Dzhelandy
Këk-Art
Chatyr-Tash
Karakol
Kadzhi-Say
Kara-Say
Dzhergalan
Spīn Būldak
Takhiatosh
Xiva
Murghob
Farkhor
Maīmanah
Kūchnay Darwāshā
Zarghūn Shahr
Maīdān Shahr
Kemin
U ̆roteppa
Balkanabat
Mary
Kattaqo’rg’onJizzax
Kunduz
Qu ̆rghonteppa
Bekobod
Yangiyo’l
Ku ̆lob
Dzhalal-Abad
Kara-Balta
Türkmenbașy
Termiz
Karakol
Chakhānsūr
Denov
Guliston
Āqchah
Jalālābād
Tokmak
Dīshū
Nukus
Dașoguz
Herāt
Türkmenabat
Buxoro Navoiy
Kandahār
Qarshi
Balkh
Samarqand
Mazār-eSharīf
Chirchiq
Khujand
Olmaliq
Angren
Qo’qonFarg’ona
Namangan
AndijonOsh
Urganch
Asadābād
DUSHANBE
BISHKEK
ASHGABAT(AŞGABAT)
TASHKENT(TOSHKENT)
KABUL (KĀBOL)
A
B
B
C
C
D
D
E
E
F
F
G
G
H
H
I
I
J
J
K
K
L
L
M
M
N
N
O
O
P
P
1
2 2
3 3
4 4
5 5
6 6
7 7
8 8
9 9
Tin the west and south to cold, high mountain ranges in the east. he five central asian nations rise up from hot deserts
The area has oil, gas, and mineral reserves, as well as other natural resources, but water is often scarce and agriculture
is limited. The four northern nations were once part of the Soviet Union and are
now independent nations. Afghanistan is a landlocked country and three-quarters
of its land is inaccessible terrain. It was invaded by the Soviet Union in 1979,
prompting a continuous series of civil wars. The 2001 invasion by American
and other Western forces overthrew the fundamentalist Islamic regime
and led to democratic presidential elections, but Afghanistan is still
unstable. Wrecked by more than 30 years of warfare, it is one of
the poorest and most deprived nations on Earth.
ARAL SEA ENVIRONMENTAL DISASTERThe inland Aral Sea, between Uzbekistan
and Kazakhstan, was once a vast, thriving freshwater lake full of fish. Over the years, the rivers flowing into it were diverted
less than one-tenth of its original or drained to provide irrigation for crops. The sea has now shrunk to
rusting ships stranded inland.and leaving former fishing villages and size, reducing the numbers of fish,
One of the world’s largest
gold mines is at Muruntau
in the Kyzyl Kum desert
in Uzbekistan.
The two small eastern republics of MOUNTAIN LIFE
Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan are both very mountainous and are subject to earthquakes and landslides.
Only about six per cent of Tajikistan whereas Kyrgyzstan is more fertile.can be used for growing crops,
THE TAJIKSThe majority of people of Tajikistan are Iranian in origin and speak Tajik, which is related to
Farsi. The minority Uzbeks are made up mainly of descendents of Turkic-speaking (related to Turkish) nomads. This division has led to ethnic
tension between the two groups. Civil war between the government and Islamic rebels in the east of the country during the 1990s
led to an exodus of Uzbeks and Russians, who had moved into the country when it was part of the Soviet Union.
LIFE EXPECTANCYAs a result of war, drought, and poverty, people in Afghanistan can expect to live an
average of only 51 years, one of the lowest life expectancy rates in the world. Infant mortality is extremely high. Health services have almost
completely collapsed and few trained doctors and nurses are available to help the sick. Many children have been orphaned or
made homeless, and few have been able to go to school.
celebrate important Islamic festivals, notably Eid ul-Fitr, Despite the horrors of recent years, the Afghans still FESTIVALS IN AFGHANISTAN
which marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan. People visit friends and family and eat a festive meal together. The art of storytelling still flourishes in
Afghanistan, as does the attan, the national dance.
The Silk Road is the ancient trading route that brought THE SILK ROAD
Asia and the Middle East to Europe. Many cities were built along its route, including Buxoro (Bukhara, Uzbekistan), silks and other fine goods from China through central
Samarqand, which contains some of the finest Islamic an important place of pilgrimage for Muslims, and architecture in the world. Many of these cities are
now UNESCO-designated World Heritage Sites.
Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and LOCAL WEALTH
crops of cotton—Uzbekistan is the Kyrgyzstan all grow considerable world’s sixth largest producer—
as well as fruit and vegetables. rich in mineral deposits, such The three countries are also
as gold, mercury, sulphur, and uranium, and have reserves of coal, oil, and natural gas.
The fishing village of
Mo’ynoq is now nearly 62 miles (100 km) away
from the Aral Sea.
Stages of shrinking since the 1960s shown
in green shades
Tajik horsemen in Pamir, Tajikistan
Children in Kabul, Afghanistan, made homeless by war
Harvesting cotton in Uzbekistan
A man in front of his home, called a yurt, in western
Pamir, Tajikistan
Tilla-Kari, a 17th-century Islamic religious school in Samarqand, Uzbekistan
Central Asia
An Afghan man carries bread with which to break the Ramadan fast.
0 miles 100 200
0 km
84 85
Asia Central Asia
Aral Sea today
1
Zeravshan
Am
u D
ar
ya
M
ur
ga
p
Garagu
m Canal^
Da
ryā-y
e Helmand^
Harīrūd^
Da
ryā-
ye^ Ka
hma
rd^
Surkh
ob^
Da
ry
ā-ye Morghāb
Bar
tan
g^
Pa
mir
Da
ryā-
ye^
Arg
ha
nd
āb
Far
āh
Rū
d^
Türkmenbașy
Aylagy
Ozero Issyk-
Kul’
Hāmūn-e
Şāberī
Aral
Sea
Caspian
Sea
Sarygamyș
Köli
Aydarko’
l (^) Ko’l
i
KAZAKHSTAN^
KA
Z
A
K
H
S
T
A N C H I N A P
A
K
IS
T
A
N
PAKIS
TAN^
TURKMENISTAN
UZBEKISTAN
AFGHAN ISTAN
TAJIKISTAN
KYRGYZSTAN
P a m i r s
Sa
rik
ol
(^)
R
a
n
g
e
Rēg
estā
n^
Garabil
Belentligi
Dasht-e^ M
ārg
ow
Üngüz
Angyrsyndaky
Garagum
(^) Sel

seleh

- ye Sa

fīd Kūh

Torkestan

Moun

tain

s

Kūh

• e^ Bābā

G

ar

ag

u

m

Kopet

dag

(^) G

er

sh

i

Khr

C ebet Moldo-Too

hat

kal

R

an

ge^

Kokshaal-

Ta

u^

G

is

sar

Rang

e

(^) U
c‚ta
ga
n
G
um
y
(^) G
ap
la
ng
yr
(^) P
la
to
sy

Ki

rg

hiz

(^) Ran

ge^

Dasht

• e^ K

hā

sh^

Kelif

Uzboyy

Chāgai^ Hills

Ustyurt

Plateau

T

u

r

a

n

L

o

w

l

a

n

d^

H

i

n

d

u^

Ku s

h^

Kyzyl (^) K
um
T
i
e
n
S
h
a
n
Qullai Ismoili Somoní
24,590ft (7495m)
Khyber Pass
3543ft (1080m)
Jengish Chokusu/
Tömür Feng
24,406ft
(7439m)
Gora Manas
14,705ft
(4482m)
Baroghil Pass
12,392ft (3777m)
Gora Chapan
9478ft (2889m)
Hazar
Bereket
Serdar
Geok-Tepe Abadan
Köneürgenc‚
Mo’ynoq
Kaka
Gubadag
Chimboy
Taxtako’pir
Tejen
Ghōrīān
Sarahs
Lebap
To’rtko’l
Zaranj
Bayramaly
Farāh
Seýdi
Gazli
Saýat
Uchquduq
Zarafshon
Lashkar Gāh
Kogon
Gereshk
Atamyrat
G’ijduvon
Andkhvoy
Koson
Oqtosh
Shibirghān
Langar
Nurota
Kitob
Qalāt
Boysun
Urgut
Jarqo’rg’on
Khulm
Ghaznī
Baghlān
Pul-e Khumrī
Danghara
Sulyukta
Gardēz
Khānābād
Chārīkār
Moskva
Norak
Tāloqān
Khōst
Feyzābād
Khorugh
Khaydarkan
Tash-Kumyr
Talas
Naryn
Balykchy Kyzyl-Suu
Tyup
Magtymguly
Gazojak
Derweze
Gurbansoltan Eje
Baharly
Towraghoudī
Galkynyș
Du ̆stí
Qal’aikhum
Sary-Tash
Qaroku ̆l
Murgab
Daroot-Korgon
Ghu ̆dara
Qizilrabot
Mah ̧mūd-e Rāqī
Ishkoshim
Bālā Murghāb
Shīndand
Serhetabat
Dilārām
Amyderýa
Mehtar Lām
Barīkowt
Leninpol’
Dzhelandy
Këk-Art
Chatyr-Tash
Karakol
Kadzhi-Say
Kara-Say
Dzhergalan
Spīn Būldak
Takhiatosh
Xiva
Murghob
Farkhor
Maīmanah
Kūchnay
Darwāshā
Zarghūn
Shahr
Maīdān Shahr
Kemin
U ̆roteppa
Balkanabat
Mary
Kattaqo’rg’on
Jizzax
Kunduz
Qu ̆rghonteppa
Bekobod
Yangiyo’l
Ku ̆lob
Dzhalal-Abad
Kara-Balta
Türkmenbașy
Termiz
Karakol
Chakhānsūr
Denov
Guliston
Āqchah
Jalālābād
Tokmak
Dīshū
Nukus
Dașoguz
Herāt
Türkmenabat
Buxoro
Navoiy
Kandahār
Qarshi
Balkh
Samarqand
Mazār-e
Sharīf
Chirchiq
Khujand
Olmaliq
Angren
Qo’qon
Farg’ona
Namangan
Andijon
Osh
Urganch
Asadābād

DUSHANBE

BISHKEK

ASHGABAT

(AŞGABAT)

TASHKENT

(TOSHKENT)

KABUL (KĀBOL)

A

B

B

C

C

D

D

E

E

F

F

G

G

H

H

I

I

J

J

K

K

L

L

M

M

N

N

O

O

P

P

1

2 2

3 3

4 4

5 5

6 6

7 7

8 8

9 9

The five central asian nations rise up from hot deserts

in the west and south to cold, high mountain ranges in the east.

The area has oil, gas, and mineral reserves, as well as other

natural resources, but water is often scarce and agriculture

is limited. The four northern nations were

once part of the Soviet Union and are

now independent nations. Afghanistan is

a landlocked country and three-quarters

of its land is inaccessible terrain. It was

invaded by the Soviet Union in 1979,

prompting a continuous series of civil

wars. The 2001 invasion by American

and other Western forces overthrew

the fundamentalist Islamic regime

and led to democratic presidential

elections, but Afghanistan is still

unstable. Wrecked by more than

30 years of warfare, it is one of

the poorest and most deprived

nations on Earth.

ARAL SEA ENVIRONMENTAL DISASTER

The inland Aral Sea, between Uzbekistan

and Kazakhstan, was once a vast, thriving

freshwater lake full of fish. Over the years,

the rivers flowing into it were diverted

or drained to provide irrigation for

crops. The sea has now shrunk to

less than one-tenth of its original

size, reducing the numbers of fish,

and leaving former fishing villages and

rusting ships stranded inland.

One of the world’s largest

gold mines is at Muruntau

in the Kyzyl Kum desert

in Uzbekistan.

MOUNTAIN LIFE

The two small eastern republics of

Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan are both

very mountainous and are subject

to earthquakes and landslides.

Only about six per cent of Tajikistan

can be used for growing crops,

whereas Kyrgyzstan is more fertile.

THE TAJIKS

The majority of people of Tajikistan are Iranian

in origin and speak Tajik, which is related to

Farsi. The minority Uzbeks are made up mainly

of descendents of Turkic-speaking (related to

Turkish) nomads. This division has led to ethnic

tension between the two groups. Civil war

between the government and Islamic rebels

in the east of the country during the 1990s

led to an exodus of Uzbeks and Russians,

who had moved into the country when it

was part of the Soviet Union.

LIFE EXPECTANCY

As a result of war, drought, and poverty,

people in Afghanistan can expect to live an

average of only 51 years, one of the lowest life

expectancy rates in the world. Infant mortality

is extremely high. Health services have almost

completely collapsed and few trained doctors

and nurses are available to help the sick.

Many children have been orphaned or

made homeless, and few have been

able to go to school.

FESTIVALS IN AFGHANISTAN

Despite the horrors of recent years, the Afghans still

celebrate important Islamic festivals, notably Eid ul-Fitr,

which marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan.

People visit friends and family and eat a festive meal

together. The art of storytelling still flourishes in

Afghanistan, as does the attan, the national dance.

THE SILK ROAD

The Silk Road is the ancient trading route that brought

silks and other fine goods from China through central

Asia and the Middle East to Europe. Many cities were built

along its route, including Buxoro (Bukhara, Uzbekistan),

an important place of pilgrimage for Muslims, and

Samarqand, which contains some of the finest Islamic

architecture in the world. Many of these cities are

now UNESCO-designated World Heritage Sites.

LOCAL WEALTH

Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and

Kyrgyzstan all grow considerable

crops of cotton—Uzbekistan is the

world’s sixth largest producer—

as well as fruit and vegetables.

The three countries are also

rich in mineral deposits, such

as gold, mercury, sulphur, and

uranium, and have reserves

of coal, oil, and natural gas.

The

fishing

village of

Mo’ynoq is

now nearly 62 miles

(100 km) away

from the Aral Sea.

Stages of shrinking

since the 1960s shown

in green shades

Tajik horsemen

in Pamir, Tajikistan

Children in Kabul,

Afghanistan, made

homeless by war

Harvesting cotton

in Uzbekistan

A man in front of

his home, called

a yurt, in western

Pamir, Tajikistan

Tilla-Kari, a 17th-century

Islamic religious school in

Samarqand, Uzbekistan

Central Asia

An Afghan man carries bread with

which to break the Ramadan fast.

0 miles 100 200

0 km

84 85

Asia Central Asia

Aral Sea today

Zeravshan

Am

u (^) D
ar
ya
M
ur
ga
p
Garag
um Canal
Dar
yā-y
e Helmand^
Harīrūd^
Da
ryā-
ye^ K
ahm
ard
Surkh
ob^
Da
ry
ā-ye Morghāb
Bar
tan
g^
Pa
mir
Da
ryā-
ye^
Arg
ha
nd
āb
Fa
rāh
Rū
d^
Türkmenbașy
Aylagy
Ozero Issyk-
Kul’
Hāmūn-e
Şāberī
Aral
Sea
Caspian
Sea
Sarygamyș
Köli
Aydarko
’l Ko’
li
KAZAKHSTAN^
K
AZ
A
K
H
S
T
A
N C H I N A P
A
K
IS
T
A
N
PAKISTAN
TURKMENISTAN
UZBEKISTAN
AFGHAN ISTAN
TAJIKISTAN
KYRGYZSTAN
P a m i r s
Sa
rik
ol
(^)
R
a
n
ge
Rē
gest
ān^
Garabil
Belentligi
Dasht-e^ M
ārg
ow
Üngüz
Angyrsyndaky
Garagum
(^) Sel

seleh

- ye Safī

d Kūh

Torkestan (^)

Moun

tains

Kū

h-e^ Bābā

Ga

ra

g

u

m

Kopet

dag

(^) G

er

sh

i

Khr

C ebet Moldo-Too

hat

kal

R

an

ge^

Kokshaal-

Ta

u^

G

is

sa

r^ Ran

ge

(^) U
c‚ta
ga
n
G
um
y
(^) G
ap
la
ng
yr
(^) P
la
to
sy

Ki

rg

hiz

(^) Ran

ge^

Dasht

• e^ K

hā

sh^

Kelif

Uzboyy

Chāgai^ Hills

Ustyurt

Plateau

T

u

r

a

n

L

o

w

l

a

n

d

H

i

n

d

u^

Ku

sh^

Kyzyl (^) K
um
T
i
e
n
S
h
a
n
Qullai Ismoili Somoní
24,590ft (7495m)
Khyber Pass
3543ft (1080m)
Jengish Chokusu/
Tömür Feng
24,406ft
(7439m)
Gora Manas
14,705ft
(4482m)
Baroghil Pass
12,392ft (3777m)
Gora Chapan
9478ft (2889m)
Hazar
Bereket
Serdar
Geok-Tepe Abadan
Köneürgenc‚
Mo’ynoq
Kaka
Gubadag
Chimboy
Taxtako’pir
Tejen
Ghōrīān
Sarahs
Lebap
To’rtko’l
Zaranj
Bayramaly
Farāh
Seýdi
Gazli
Saýat
Uchquduq
Zarafshon
Lashkar Gāh
Kogon
Gereshk
Atamyrat
G’ijduvon
Andkhvoy
Koson
Oqtosh
Shibirghān
Langar
Nurota
Kitob
Qalāt
Boysun
Urgut
Jarqo’rg’on
Khulm
Ghaznī
Baghlān
Pul-e Khumrī
Danghara
Sulyukta
Gardēz
Khānābād
Chārīkār
Moskva
Norak
Tāloqān
Khōst
Feyzābād
Khorugh
Khaydarkan
Tash-Kumyr
Talas
Naryn
Balykchy Kyzyl-Suu
Tyup
Magtymguly
Gazojak
Derweze
Gurbansoltan Eje
Baharly
Towraghoudī
Galkynyș
Du ̆stí
Qal’aikhum
Sary-Tash
Qaroku ̆l
Murgab
Daroot-Korgon
Ghu ̆dara
Qizilrabot
Mah ̧mūd-e Rāqī
Ishkoshim
Bālā Murghāb
Shīndand
Serhetabat
Dilārām
Amyderýa
Mehtar Lām
Barīkowt
Leninpol’
Dzhelandy
Këk-Art
Chatyr-Tash
Karakol
Kadzhi-Say
Kara-Say
Dzhergalan
Spīn Būldak
Takhiatosh
Xiva
Murghob
Farkhor
Maīmanah
Kūchnay
Darwāshā
Zarghūn
Shahr
Maīdān Shahr
Kemin
U ̆roteppa
Balkanabat
Mary
Kattaqo’rg’on
Jizzax
Kunduz
Qu ̆rghonteppa
Bekobod
Yangiyo’l
Ku ̆lob
Dzhalal-Abad
Kara-Balta
Türkmenbașy
Termiz
Karakol
Chakhānsūr
Denov
Guliston
Āqchah
Jalālābād
Tokmak
Dīshū
Nukus
Dașoguz
Herāt
Türkmenabat
Buxoro
Navoiy
Kandahār
Qarshi
Balkh
Samarqand
Mazār-e
Sharīf
Chirchiq
Khujand
Olmaliq
Angren
Qo’qon
Farg’ona
Namangan
Andijon
Osh
Urganch
Asadābād

DUSHANBE

BISHKEK

ASHGABAT

(AŞGABAT)

TASHKENT

(TOSHKENT)

KABUL (KĀBOL)

A

B

B

C

C

D

D

E

E

F

F

G

G

H

H

I

I

J

J

K

K

L

L

M

M

N

N

O

O

P

P

1

2 2

3 3

4 4

5 5

6 6

7 7

8 8

9 9

The five central asian nations rise up from hot deserts

in the west and south to cold, high mountain ranges in the east.

The area has oil, gas, and mineral reserves, as well as other

natural resources, but water is often scarce and agriculture

is limited. The four northern nations were

once part of the Soviet Union and are

now independent nations. Afghanistan is

a landlocked country and three-quarters

of its land is inaccessible terrain. It was

invaded by the Soviet Union in 1979,

prompting a continuous series of civil

wars. The 2001 invasion by American

and other Western forces overthrew

the fundamentalist Islamic regime

and led to democratic presidential

elections, but Afghanistan is still

unstable. Wrecked by more than

30 years of warfare, it is one of

the poorest and most deprived

nations on Earth.

ARAL SEA ENVIRONMENTAL DISASTER

The inland Aral Sea, between Uzbekistan

and Kazakhstan, was once a vast, thriving

freshwater lake full of fish. Over the years,

the rivers flowing into it were diverted

or drained to provide irrigation for

crops. The sea has now shrunk to

less than one-tenth of its original

size, reducing the numbers of fish,

and leaving former fishing villages and

rusting ships stranded inland.

One of the world’s largest

gold mines is at Muruntau

in the Kyzyl Kum desert

in Uzbekistan.

MOUNTAIN LIFE

The two small eastern republics of

Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan are both

very mountainous and are subject

to earthquakes and landslides.

Only about six per cent of Tajikistan

can be used for growing crops,

whereas Kyrgyzstan is more fertile.

THE TAJIKS

The majority of people of Tajikistan are Iranian

in origin and speak Tajik, which is related to

Farsi. The minority Uzbeks are made up mainly

of descendents of Turkic-speaking (related to

Turkish) nomads. This division has led to ethnic

tension between the two groups. Civil war

between the government and Islamic rebels

in the east of the country during the 1990s

led to an exodus of Uzbeks and Russians,

who had moved into the country when it

was part of the Soviet Union.

LIFE EXPECTANCY

As a result of war, drought, and poverty,

people in Afghanistan can expect to live an

average of only 51 years, one of the lowest life

expectancy rates in the world. Infant mortality

is extremely high. Health services have almost

completely collapsed and few trained doctors

and nurses are available to help the sick.

Many children have been orphaned or

made homeless, and few have been

able to go to school.

FESTIVALS IN AFGHANISTAN

Despite the horrors of recent years, the Afghans still

celebrate important Islamic festivals, notably Eid ul-Fitr,

which marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan.

People visit friends and family and eat a festive meal

together. The art of storytelling still flourishes in

Afghanistan, as does the attan, the national dance.

THE SILK ROAD

The Silk Road is the ancient trading route that brought

silks and other fine goods from China through central

Asia and the Middle East to Europe. Many cities were built

along its route, including Buxoro (Bukhara, Uzbekistan),

an important place of pilgrimage for Muslims, and

Samarqand, which contains some of the finest Islamic

architecture in the world. Many of these cities are

now UNESCO-designated World Heritage Sites.

LOCAL WEALTH

Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and

Kyrgyzstan all grow considerable

crops of cotton—Uzbekistan is the

world’s sixth largest producer—

as well as fruit and vegetables.

The three countries are also

rich in mineral deposits, such

as gold, mercury, sulphur, and

uranium, and have reserves

of coal, oil, and natural gas.

The

fishing

village of

Mo’ynoq is

now nearly 62 miles

(100 km) away

from the Aral Sea.

Stages of shrinking

since the 1960s shown

in green shades

Tajik horsemen

in Pamir, Tajikistan

Children in Kabul,

Afghanistan, made

homeless by war

Harvesting cotton

in Uzbekistan

A man in front of

his home, called

a yurt, in western

Pamir, Tajikistan

Tilla-Kari, a 17th-century

Islamic religious school in

Samarqand, Uzbekistan

Central Asia

An Afghan man carries bread with

which to break the Ramadan fast.

0 miles 100 200

0 km

84 85

Asia Central Asia

Aral Sea today

KEY TO MAP SYMBOLS

International border:

Border between

countries, which is

mutually recognized.

State border:

Border used in some

large countries to show

internal divisions.

Disputed border:

Border used in

practice, but not

mutually agreed

between two

countries.

Claimed border:

Border that is not

mutually recognized—

where territory

belonging to one

country is claimed

by another.

Ceasefire line

Undefined boundary

Mountain

Depression

Volcano

Pass/Tunnel

Major river

Minor river

Seasonal river

Canal

Dam

Waterfall

Seasonal lake

Site of interest

Ancient wall

Highway

Major road

Minor road

Rail

Airport

Equator

Tropics/Circles

Country

Dependent

territory

Administrative

region

Cultural region

Sea features

Undersea

feature

Graticule text

Lake/River

/Canal

Island

Landscape

features

Island group

National capital

Dependent

territory

capital city

Other

towns

& cities

NAMES continued

Tropic of Cancer

Andes

Ardennes

Balearic Islands

Majorca

Lake Baikal

PACIFIC

OCEAN

Gulf of

Mexico

Bay of Campeche

Chile Rise

Seattle

Limón

Genk

San José

PHYSICAL

OTHER FEATURES

LATITUDE & LONGITUDE

NAMES

PARIS

SAN JUAN

FRANCE

JERSEY

(British Crown

Dependency)

KANSAS

Dordogne

REGIONS

TOWNS & CITIES

PHYSICAL FEATURES COMMUNICATIONS

DRAINAGE FEATURES

MISCELLANEOUS FEATURES

BORDERS

More than 500,

100,000 – 500,

50,000 – 100,

Less than 50,

National capital

Internal

administrative

capital

Polar research

station

TOWNS & CITIES

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