ABSTRACT

The region defined since independence as Central Asia1 comprises Kazakhstan and the four former Soviet republics of Middle Asia (Srednyaya Azia). Owing to geography, ethnicity and the demands of economic development, the region is notably diverse. Historically, the biggest division has been between the civilisations of the Steppe lands to the north, and the oases in the south. Other fault-lines – linguistic, ethnic and social – divide the peoples of Central Asia. Moreover, policies pursued during the Soviet period caused further divisions, whilst simultaneously providing an element of uniformity.