Central Asian Economic Geography

Mr. Broughman

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

History of Central Asian Economics

• The most noteworthy event in the modern history of Central Asia was the fall of communism in 1991. Communism had been a part of Russian economics since the late-1910s when V.I. Lenin introduced the concept to Russian government. The policy grew under Joseph Stalin from the 1920s through the 1950s.

• In that year, many Eastern European countries and Central Asian countries declared their independence as the Soviet Union collapsed and became the present-day country of Russia.

History of Central Asian Economics• In 1991, Russia’s economy went from being

completely communist to becoming slightly free-market (or capitalist). The first democratically elected president, Boris Yeltsin, helped promote private business, while the current president Vladimir Putin, has taken Russia gradually back to its old ways.

• Since the break-up of the Soviet Union in 1991, Russia has struggled to find its place in the world. Both political and economic problems, particularly the suspension of basic civil rights, have led Russia to revert to previous conditions.

Agriculture• Despite Russia’s extraordinary size, only 7% of its land

is suitable for farming. The remainder of the country is either a tundra or coniferous forest, and thus does not have the necessary climate for growing food.

• What is permafrost?– Land that is permanently frozen year-round

• Where are Russia’s two main agricultural hubs?– (1) Northern European Plain– (2) Fertile Triangle (part of the Kulunda Steppe)

• Russia’s main crop, wheat, is grown in dark, rich, fertile soil called chernozem. The main crop for many of the poorer Central Asian countries is cotton.

Economic Challenges

• Russian businesses face stiff competition from foreign investors in the region, particularly in the oil industry.

• In addition to being formerly communist, why has Russia industrialized slowly?– (1) slow development of natural resources

due to poor climate– (2) poor transportation networks– (3) THE COUNTRY IS HUGE!

Infrastructure• For its vast natural resources, Russia uses

pipe lines to ship products like oil and natural gas.

• Its large size prevents the country from supplying portions of the country with energy and basic transportation routes. The Trans-Siberian Railroad is the world’s largest railroad system, transporting both people and goods.

• What few “cities” exist in Siberia have developed along rivers and the Trans-Siberian Railroad. Rivers and canals have also helped support the shipment of goods and people across the continent.

Infrastructure

• What are Russia’s three main sources of energy?

– (1) Hydroelectric power

– (2) Natural gas

– (3) Oil/Petroleum

Pollution

Nuclear radiation from the explosion at Chernobyl in 1986, a disregard for the environment during Soviet industrialization, fertilizer runoff, and ridiculously poor air quality all hint towards Russia’s environmental problems.

Chernobyl, 20 Years Later

Standard of Living Traits

Pop. GDP per capita

Life Expect.

Literacy Rate

Russia 142 million

$15,800 65 years 99.5%

Kazak. 16.4 million

$12,000 67 years 99.6%

Turkmen.

5.1 million

$5,900 63 years 99.5%

Uzbek. 27

million

$3,000 67 years 96.6%