Introduction

The significance of the developments in Central Asia extends far beyond the region itself. Among the reasons are Central Asia's strategic geographic location and its large population. Far more people live in Central Asia than in the next largest non-Slavic region in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). The importance of the Slavic/Muslim demographic divide in the USSR is heightened by the fundamental nature of the cultural differences. This is why Central Asia has remained the greatest stumbling-block on the path to the "merging" of Soviet nationalities. In a cultural sense, the term "Central Asians" includes Kazakhs, along with Uzbeks, Tajiks, Turkmene, Kirgiz, and some other indigenous groups whose populations in "Central Asia" are less numerous. However, as a republic, Kazakhstan in many ways is best not considered part of "Central Asia." The chapter also presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in this book.