GEEO Central Asia Google Earth Presentation

— Stop 1 —

USA

Today I’d like to share with you a great experience I had while traveling to four different countries in Central Asia through a non-profit organization called GEEO. GEEO helps educators travel abroad so that they can learn more about different cultures to share with their students. I was joined on my trip by teachers from all around the United States.

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Asia

The places I traveled were on the continent of Asia, which is Earth’s largest continent. Can anyone name some countries that are in Asia?

Asia covers 8.7% of the Earth’s total surface area and comprises 30% of its land area. With approximately 4.6 billion people, it holds 60% of the world’s current human population.

The four countries I visited, however, are some of the most sparsely populated countries in Asia. I went to Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. -Stan is a suffix in the Persian language that means “place of,” so Uzbekistan means “place of the Uzbeks.”

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Central Asia

All four countries are in Central Asia, historically a crossroads for trade and cultural exchange on the ancient Silk Road. Has anyone heard of the Silk Road before? What was it? The Silk Road wasn’t one road but a network of trade routes connecting Asia and Europe for several centuries. It originated in China over 2,000 years ago when the Chinese emperor sought to establish trade links with Central Asian civilizations and beyond. Primary goods included Chinese silk, precious metals and gems, spices, textiles, and agricultural products.

Beyond economics, the Silk Road fostered cultural exchange. Merchants, travelers, and explorers carried their languages, religions, philosophies, and art. This exchange spread Buddhism, Islam, Christianity, and other faiths across Asia. Venetian merchant Marco Polo traveled the Silk Road and documented his experiences in “The Travels of Marco Polo.”

Eventually, sea routes around Africa replaced the overland trade routes.

Many civilizations and empires have left their mark on Central Asia. The region is home to various ethnic groups, each with unique traditions and languages. Nomadic herding has been a way of life for many people, and the landscapes are stunning—from majestic mountains and valleys to picturesque lakes and vast deserts.

All Central Asian countries are landlocked and geographically isolated by mountains and deserts. However, as part of the Silk Road, they’ve been at the crossroads of great civilizations for thousands of years. This isolation helped preserve their cultures, and each country has its own unique culture, ethnicity, and language.

Throughout history, many ethnic groups have inhabited multiple countries. When borders were less regulated, people moved back and forth across mountains for better conditions—perhaps better rains for pasture or a better government during oppression. There have sometimes been tensions between different ethnic groups.

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Kyrgyzstan

The first country that I visited in Central Asia was Kyrgyzstan. The Kyrgyz (pronunciation) are an ancient nomadic people who lived in tents called yurts. Throughout history, they’ve been ruled by the Mongols, China, Russia, and the Soviet Union. Kyrgyzstan has been independent only since 1991, when the Soviet Union collapsed.

Since independence, Kyrgyzstan has endured political instability, ethnic conflicts, economic difficulties, and revolts, but has also made progress fostering free speech and democratic elections. While all Central Asian countries are landlocked, Kyrgyzstan is farther from the sea than any other country in the world. None of its rivers even flow to the sea! Instead, they flow into a lake in the north that I’ll show you later.

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Bishkek

We started our trip in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan’s capital and largest city, with about one million people. About seven million people live in Kyrgyzstan.

Bishkek is a planned city laid out in a grid with wide, tree-lined streets and canals. It was founded in 1825 as a fortress to control trade routes and collect taxes from Kyrgyz tribes.

Bishkek is diverse with Russian, Ukrainian, German, and other European minorities. Before the Soviet Union’s collapse, Europeans comprised over 80% of the city’s population. Today, Bishkek is predominantly Kyrgyz—75% of residents—while Europeans make up about 15%.

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Manas Statue and Kyrgyz flag

Kyrgyz comes from a word that means “we are forty,” a reference to 40 clans that were united under a legendary warrior named Manas (pronunciation) in the 9th century. In the center of this square is a large statue of Manas riding a horse. On the right, you can see a very large flag. The flag of Kyrgyzstan features a sun that has 40 rays. (Here is an article with more information about the Kyrgyz flag.)

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State Historical Museum

This building is the Kyrgyz State History Museum, built in 1984. The museum is dedicated to preserving and showcasing the history, culture, and heritage of Kyrgyzstan. It contains exhibits on the migration of people in Central Asia and has a traditional nomad yurt along with thousands of other artifacts such as sculptures, coins, jewelry, and clothing dating back to ancient times.

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Burana Tower

After we left Bishkek, we visited one of Kyrgyzstan’s oldest buildings, the Burana Tower. This is nearly all that remains of an ancient city called Balasagun. It is a minaret, which is a tall tower at a mosque used to call Muslims for prayers. There are many different types of minarets; some have domes on top, while others have flat tops. Some are very thin, while in parts of North Africa, they are square. Some even have stairs that wrap around the outside. We were able to climb a winding stairway inside this minaret to go up to the top of the tower.

Islam is the predominant religion in Kyrgyzstan; about 85 percent of Kyrgyz are Muslims.

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Chong-Kemin

We continued driving through the countryside to a scenic valley called Chong-Kemin. We stayed overnight here in some local village houses, where our local hosts prepared home-cooked food for us. The Chong-Kemin Nature Park is one of the most picturesque parts of Kyrgyzstan. The ecosystem is diverse and home to animals like the snow leopard and golden eagle.

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Song-Köl

The next day, we continued on to an area called Song-Köl. We stayed the night here in a traditional yurt, also called a ger (in Mongolian). Yurts are portable, round tents covered with animal skins. The nomadic herders in the steppes of Central Asia still live in yurts, and we had the chance to experience a piece of the daily life of the nomads and try some of their food. We were able to go hiking or horseback riding in this beautiful area.

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Kochkor

The next morning, we drove to a large village called Kochkor (pronunciation), where about 11,000 people live. We visited a felt-making workshop to learn more about this typical Kyrgyz craft. (Here is a great article about felt making in Kyrgyzstan)

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Tamga

We then traveled to Tamga (pronunciation), where we enjoyed another traditional Kyrgyz meal and spent the night at a local homestay. The small, quiet village is surrounded by mountains and often used as a base for hiking trips. It is located on the southern shore of a huge salt lake called Issyk-Kul (pronunciation).

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Issyk Kul Lake

It’s the tenth largest lake in the world and the second largest saltwater lake. Issyk-Kul means “warm lake”—the lake rarely freezes during Kyrgyzstan’s severely cold winters because of its salinity. [If you’re a science teacher, this is a good opportunity to explain how salt affects water’s freezing point.]

We visited Barskoon, a village along the lake, and went to the Ak-Orgo Workshop Center. We saw how traditional yurts are built and learned about their importance. Many historians believe the lake was the Black Death’s point of origin. The plague first infected traders in a nearby settlement eight years before devastating Eurasia, killing 60% of the population. The lake was a popular Silk Road stop, so travelers unknowingly carried the plague across Europe and Asia.

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Karakol

After spending some time at Issyk Kul Lake, we drove to Karakol (pronunciation), which is Kyrgyzstan’s fourth largest city. Karakol was originally a Russian military outpost. The city is not particularly beautiful, but its natural environment is amazing. It is one of Kyrgyzstan’s major tourist destinations for nearby outdoor activities like hiking and skiing.

We visited a few of the city’s main sites, including an old wooden Russian Orthodox cathedral and a pagoda-style mosque built by Chinese Muslims. We also visited a museum dedicated to a Russian explorer named Nikolai Przhevalsky, who died in Karakol.

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Kazakhstan

After visiting Karakol, we left Kyrgyzstan and crossed the border into Kazakhstan. Kazakhstan is the world’s largest landlocked country – it has over one million square miles, making it the 9th largest country in the world. It is over three times larger than Texas and one-and-a-half times the size of Alaska.

Like Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan was part of the Soviet Union until 1991, when it gained independence. The Kazakh government is technically a democracy, but effectively it is authoritarian, with no free elections. The human rights situation in Kazakhstan is also poor.

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Kaindy Lake

Our first stop in Kazakhstan was Kolsai Lake National Park. One of the main features of the park is Kaindy Lake, known for its mirror-smooth reflection. It was formed in 1911 when an earthquake caused a landslide that blocked one end of the gorge. You can still see dead tree trunks rising from the lake, preserved by the cold water and covered in algae.

That night, we stayed at a local guest house in a nearby village and indulged in a traditional Kazakh meal.

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Charyn Canyon

We then drove to Charyn (pronunciation) Canyon close to the border with China. The canyon is about 100 miles long and was formed by weather and erosion over the course of hundreds of thousands of years. This water and wind erosion has created colorful rock formations that resemble sculptures of varying shapes and sizes. Whitewater rafting is a popular activity in the river that flows through the canyon. The scenery is similar to the Grand Canyon in Arizona, although Charyn Canyon is much smaller.

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Almaty

Our next stop was Almaty (pronunciation), the largest, most developed, and most ethnically and culturally diverse city in Kazakhstan. Almaty has a population of over 2 million people, and it was the capital of Kazakhstan until 1997, when the capital was moved to another city. Almaty is still the heart and soul of Kazakhstan’s culture, economy, and history.

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Zenkov Cathedral

About 70 percent of people in Kazakhstan are Muslims, and about 17 percent are Christians. Most of the Christians are part of the Russian Orthodox church. This is the Zenkov Cathedral, also known as Ascension Cathedral. The huge wooden church was built in 1907 and is claimed to be the second-tallest wooden church in the world.

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Republic Square

This is the south side of Republic Square, also known as Independence Square or New Square. It is the main square in Almaty. During some political unrest in 2022, the building at the end of the square—the offices of the city mayor—were stormed and set on fire (video). Instead of rebuilding the office, it will be demolished and an amusement park will be built instead.

(Spin the picture around to the other side of the street.) At the center of the north side of the square is Independence Monument. At the top of the nearly 100-foot stone column is a Golden Warrior standing on a winged snow leopard. The monument celebrates the independence of Kazakhstan, the identity of its people, and the role of the city of Almaty as capital of Kazakhstan until 1997.

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Tajikistan

The next country that we visited in Central Asia was Tajikistan. Mountains cover more than 90% of the country. Almost immediately after gaining independence following the breakup of the Soviet Union, Tajikistan went through a civil war from 1992 to 1997. The conflict was primarily between the government and various opposition factions. The war had a significant impact on Tajikistan’s development, and it has faced various challenges including political stability, economic development, and issues related to poverty and education. Foreign aid has allowed the country’s economy to grow, and money sent home by Tajikis working abroad plays a crucial role in Tajikistan’s economy.

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Dushanbe

We flew from Almaty to Dushanbe, Tajikistan’s capital and largest city. The name “Dushanbe” translates to “Monday” in Tajik and is believed to refer to the city’s popular market that traditionally operated on Mondays. Dushanbe’s history can be traced back to ancient times, but it only gained prominence during the Russian Empire’s expansion into Central Asia in the late 19th century. It was initially a small village before growing into a more significant urban center.

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Dushanbe Flagpole (Bayrak)

Here you can see the flag of Tajikistan atop one of the tallest flagpoles in the world. Built in 2011, the flagpole cost $3.5 million and was part of a project celebrating the 20th anniversary of Tajikistan’s independence. The flagpole is 541 feet tall, which is comparable to a 55-story building.

The flag features three horizontal stripes: a red stripe at the top, a white stripe in the middle, and a green stripe at the bottom. In the middle of the flag is a yellow crown with an arc of seven stars. (Here is an image of the flag)

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Palace of the Nation (Presidential Palace)

This is the Palace of the Nation, an impressive building that serves as the residence of the President of Tajikistan and hosts official events and ceremonies, similar to the White House for the United States.

Since gaining independence from the Soviet Union, only one man has held the position of President of Tajikistan: Emomali Rahmon (pronunciation). Presidential elections in Tajikistan have consistently been criticized as unfair.

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Rudaki Monument

This is a monument for a famous Persian poet named Rudaki. He lived from 858 to 941 AD and is regarded as the first literary genius of Modern Persian. Besides being a poet, Rudaki was also a singer and musician. He was born in Tajikistan when it was part of the Samanid Empire, which was centered in Persia (modern Turkey). The Samanids ruled much of this region from 819 to 999 AD. Here are a few lines from a poem by Rudaki called Spring:

Look at the cloud, how it cries like a grieving man

Thunder moans like a lover with a broken heart.

Now and then the sun peeks from behind the clouds

Like a prisoner hiding from the guard.

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Monument of Ismail Samani

This is a monument to Ismail Samani, who was considered one of the great leaders of the Samanid Empire. His reign is also notable for being a period of cultural and intellectual flourishing, with his court serving as a patron of art, science, and literature.

The currency of Tajikistan, the Somani, is named in his honor, as is the highest mountain in Tajikistan. The mountain was formerly known as “Stalin Peak” and “Communism Peak” but was changed to Ismoil Somoni Peak after the collapse of the Soviet Union.

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Sarytag

We then drove through the region’s valleys and mountains to a village called Sarytag, where we spent two nights in local homes in the stunningly beautiful Iskanderkul Lake area. We met locals and explored this gorgeous landscape. The beautiful turquoise​​ lake and surrounding mountains make for some spectacular views. (Here is a 360º view from the Fann Mountains and the surrounding area.)

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Mug Teppe

We then drove to the city of Istaravshan (pronunciation), one of Tajikistan’s oldest cities, existing for over 2,500 years. This is Mug Teppe, ruins of a fortress stormed by Alexander the Great in 329 BCE and by Arabs in 772 AD. The fort was originally a two-story stone and brick building, restored to its current condition in 2002.

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Khujand

Next, we drove to Khujand (pronunciation), Tajikistan’s second largest city. Khujand is another ancient city. It was the site of Cyropolis, which was established by the Persian King Cyrus the Great around 2,500 years ago. Later, in 329 BC, Alexander the Great built a settlement nearby and named it Alexandria Eschate, or “Alexandria The Furthest,” since it was farther from Greece than any other Greek settlement in the world. The city would later become an important stop along the Silk Road.

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Panjshanbe Bozor

We visited the bustling and historic market in Khujand, Panjshanbe Bozor. The name “Panjshanbe” translates to “Thursday” in Tajik, because market days at the bazaar were traditionally on Thursdays. It is the largest market in Tajikistan, and we enjoyed browsing what was for sale.

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Uzbekistan

Finally, we crossed the border into Uzbekistan, our fourth Central Asian country. It’s the most populated of the four we visited. Uzbekistan is a republic with an elected government but has notoriously fraudulent elections. Former president Islam Karimov was in power from 1989 until his death in 2016. He ruled a repressive authoritarian regime, assassinating political opponents and prohibiting dissent.

Recently, Uzbekistan has undergone changes. Shavkat Mirziyoyev (pronunciation) became president in 2016 following Karimov’s death. He has pursued economic reforms, opening the country to foreign investment. His administration has also worked to improve human rights, release political prisoners, and foster regional cooperation in Central Asia.

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Tashkent

We began in Tashkent, Uzbekistan’s capital and the largest city we visited in Central Asia. The metropolitan area has over 6 million people. A metropolitan area is a major city plus its suburbs and nearby cities and towns with significant economic ties. New York City’s metro area, for example, has approximately 20 million people. (Can you use your city as another example?)

Settlements have existed here since ancient times, but the city has been called Tashkent for approximately 1,000 years. Genghis Khan destroyed it in 1219, but it was rebuilt in the late 1300s. It was Central Asia’s wealthiest city when Russia took control in 1865 and became Uzbekistan’s capital in 1930.

A massive earthquake in 1966 destroyed most of the city. Volunteers helped rebuild and many stayed because of the warm climate and easy access to food from nearby farms. Signs in Tashkent are commonly written in both Uzbek and Russian.

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Hazrati Imam Complex

The Hazrati Imam Complex is one of the few truly “old” sites remaining in the city. The highlight is the Samarkand Kufic Quran, one of the world’s oldest Quran manuscripts. According to Islamic tradition, it was created in 651, 19 years after Prophet Muhammad’s death, along with six others sent to kingdoms that had embraced Islam. While there’s some doubt it’s quite that old, it’s still recognized as one of the oldest surviving Quran copies. Islam is the dominant religion in all four countries I visited: Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.

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Samarkand

Next, we traveled to Samarkand, the second largest city in Uzbekistan. Samarkand was a very important city in the region and was the capital of previous empires and states. It was the capital of the Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic until the capital was moved to Tashkent in 1930.

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Registan

Samarkand’s most famous location is the Registan, a public square surrounded by three historic madrasas or schools. Sons of wealthy families from all over Central Asia attended the madrasas in Samarkand, and their training could last 10-20 years. The name “Registan” translates to “Sandy Place” in Persian, highlighting the square’s original sandy ground. The three madrasas in the complex are no longer in use; they are now preserved as historic sites and tourist attractions and are used for cultural activities and as arts and crafts shops.

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Tillya Kari Madrasah

The Tillya Kari Madrasah is the “newest” of the three madrasas and was built around 1646. It was a residential college for students and is characterized by its gilded decorations and intricate artwork. The name “Tilla-Kori” translates to “Gilded” in Persian, referring to the extensive use of gold leaf in its interior design. The madrasah serves as a mosque and includes a stunning prayer hall.

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Sher-Dor Madrasah

The Sher-Dor Madrasah was built shortly before the Tillya Kari Madrasah. Its facade features two tigers, a rare depiction in Islamic art due to religious constraints. The tigers are chasing deer, symbolizing the struggle between good and evil.

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Ulugh Beg Madrasah

The oldest of the madrasah is Ulugh Beg Madrasah, completed in 1420. Ulugh Beg was a sultan or ruler in the Timurid dynasty, a powerful and influential empire that thrived in Central Asia from the 14th to the 16th century. It was founded by Timur, also known as Tamerlane, and Ulugh Beg was his grandson. Ulugh Beg himself gave lectures at the madrasah and was an astronomer and mathematician. During this time, the Ulugh Beg Madrasah was considered one of the best universities in the Muslim world.

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Gur-i-Amir Mausoleum

This is the Gur-e Amir, or “Tomb of the King.” It contains the tomb of Timur/Tamarlane, who lived from 1336-1405. During his lifetime, Timur was one of the most powerful rulers in the Muslim world, and his armies were feared throughout Asia, Africa, and Europe.

The mausoleum was built for Timur’s grandson and heir, Muhammad Sultan, who died before him. Timur had requested to be buried in his hometown, but he died during the very cold and snowy winter of 1406, and the roads were not passable, so he was buried here in Samarkand instead. An unfinished and unused mausoleum still exists in Timur’s hometown.

— Stop 40 —

Shah-i-Zinda Necropolis

This is the Shah-i-Zinda Necropolis, which is made up of mausoleums and other ritual buildings from the 11th-15th centuries. A necropolis is a large cemetery with elaborate tombs and monuments. The tombs in Shah-i-Zinda have intricate tilework and vibrant colors and are grouped together along the necropolis’s narrow medieval streets.

— Stop 41 —

Nurota

Our next stop in Uzbekistan was the town of Nurota, also known as Naruta or Nur, as it was once called. The city was founded by Alexander the Great in 327 BC, and we had the opportunity to visit the ruins of Alexander’s military fortress. We also visited the Chasma Spring, which is a popular pilgrimage destination. According to tradition, the spring was discovered by a local farmer who had a vision of Imam Ali, the Prophet Muhammad’s son-in-law, striking a rock and causing water to flow. The waters of the spring are believed to have healing powers.

— Stop 42 —

Lake Aydar

We spent an evening in a local yurt camp near Lake Aydar (pronunciation) to experience the local way of life in the remote reaches of Uzbekistan. We were able to ride camels and enjoy an evening singing performance around a campfire.

— Stop 43 —

Bukhara

We continued on to Bukhara, another historically important hub on the Silk Road. During the 9th and 10th centuries, Bukhara was the intellectual center of the Islamic world, with numerous madrasas and mosques, and attracted renowned scholars, theologians, and philosophers. Today, the historic city center has been restored, and in 1993, it was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its well-preserved architecture and cultural significance.

— Stop 44 —

Magoki Attori Mosque

The Magoki Attori Mosque in Bukhara dates back to the 9th century and is Central Asia’s oldest surviving mosque. Remains of an ancient Zoroastrian temple and Buddhist temple have been found beneath it, and Jews once used the site as an evening synagogue. According to legend, the mosque survived a Mongol invasion when locals buried it in sand. Only the very top was visible when excavations began in the 1930s. Today, it’s a carpet museum.

In the top right is a water reservoir. The area is called Lab-i Hauz, meaning “by the pool.” People come to stroll and eat at local cafes and restaurants in the evening.

— Stop 45 —

Ark

At the center of Bukhara’s old city is the Bukhara Ark, a massive fortress. (“Ark” is old Persian for “fortress.”) Built in the 5th century as the city’s citadel where rulers and military lived, it was used as a fortress until Russia took it in 1920. Today, it’s a tourist attraction with museums and restored rooms, including the throne room. The throne room has an interesting feature: once a month, the ruler invited people to criticize his rule. A wall just inside the entry let people speak and leave without being identified or punished.

— Stop 46 —

Kalyan Minaret and Po-i-Kalyan Mosque Complex

The Kalyan Minaret is one of Bukhara’s most prominent landmarks. The tower is used by the Po-i-Kalyan mosque (right) to call Muslims to prayer five times daily. It’s also known as the “Tower of Death” because criminals were executed by being thrown from the top.

The complex includes a madrasah (left) across the square from the mosque that is still in use. Most madrasas are only for men, but there’s a women’s madrasah in Tashkent whose graduates are highly sought after.

— Stop 47 —

Khiva

Our last stop was Khiva, an ancient town on the edge of the Kyzyl Kum desert (pronunciation), the 15th largest desert in the world. Its name means Red Sand. In the 17th century, Khiva was known for its slave market. An estimated one million Persians and an unknown number of Russians were sold as slaves here. Slavery was abolished in Central Asia after a Persian slave uprising in Khiva in 1873 and after the Russian Empire conquered the region.

The walled inner town is called Itchan Kala. Since 1990, it’s been a World Heritage Site. (The outer town is called Dichan Kala.) Important monuments include the Djuma mosque, madrasas, and a mausoleum. It’s been restored as a “living museum” with cafes, tea houses, workshops, and shops.

— Stop 48 —

Islam Khoja Minaret

This is the Islam Khoja Minaret in the inner town. You can see the tower from virtually everywhere in Khiva and even from far away in the desert. (You can spin the picture around to show people selling carpets and clothing, local diners, etc.)

— Stop 49 —

Kuhna Ark

The Khiva Ark, known as the Khuna Ark, is much smaller than the Bukhara Ark, but the city walls provide a spectacular view over both the inner and outer towns. Outside the city walls is a statue of Al-Khwarizmi, a native of Khiva who was a mathematician considered to be the founder of algebra, and his name gave rise to the term algorithm.

— Stop 50 —

Madrasah of Muhammad Amin-khan

Here you can see the wide, turquoise-tiled Kalta Minor Minaret. Construction started in 1851 under Mohammed Amin Khan, who wanted to build a minaret so high he could see all the way to Bukhara, but after he died in 1855, the minaret never finished.