Contents: Acknowledgement. Preface. 1. Overview. 2. Geographic profile of Central Asian states. 3. Turkmenistan. 4. Uzbekistan. 5. Tajikistan. 6. Kyrgyzstan. 7. Kazakhstan. 8. Central Asia: historical significance. 9. Culture of Central Asia. 10. Central Asia: problems and prospects. 11. India's relations with Central Asian states. Bibliography. Index.

"Central Asia, which consists of five states, viz., Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, is a bridge between the east and west. It is surrounded by powerful states like China in the East, Russia (CIS) in the North, Iran and Afghanistan in the South, and Turkey and European countries in the West.

In each state there are ethnic minorities but the policy of each state is based on secularism. Its economy, which is primarily based on nomadic herding, is fast changing. Although more than half the area of Central Asia is desert, the extensive irrigation has turned considerable area into smiling fields with consequent adverse environmental effects leading to shrinkage of the Aral Sea. The future of Central Asia lies in sustainable development.

This introductory text on Central Asia provides coverage to broad range of political, historical, economic and cultural issues in the region. This analysis of modern states in Central Asia will certainly provide an understanding to the geo-politics of the region. Both students and teachers of geography, history, economics and politics will find this book highly informative and comprehensive research source." (jacket)