ABSTRACT
The cultural and geographical space of Central Asia in a significantly broader interpretation was given, for the first time, by UNESCO in six volumes of History of Civilizations of Central Asia – a project started in 1981 and completed in 2005. American political scientists introduced the concept of “Greater Central Asia” in the 2000s to facilitate the realization of the Modern Silk Road project and structured regional cooperation for a safe and stable Afghanistan. The location of Greater Central Asia (GCA) in the middle of the vast Eurasian continent, its significant distance from the oceans, the presence of high mountain systems, high temperatures in summer and a long dry period predetermined by specific atmospheric circulation all cause the high aridity of the region. Water in GCA is the most valuable resource, acquiring ever increasing economic and social significance. GCA water resources consist of river flows formed by atmospheric precipitation, melting glacial waters and underground waters.
