Central Asia
The term Central Asia is not precisely defined. In one common usage it designates five geographically adjacent predominantly Muslim former Soviet republics — Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan. For example, that definition is often used by the UN [1] [2].
Afghanistan can reasonably be added, since it is closely related culturally and historically to those nations and geographically contiguous with them. Azerbaijan can also reasonably be included; it is not geographically contiguous, but it is a former Soviet republic that is mainly Muslim. Some Western strategic studies [3] therefore include it. The UN Special Programme for the Economies of Central Asia includes both Afghanistan and Azerbaijan.
Some definitions are broader yet. Some [4] include what is now the Chinese province of Xinjiang, a predominantly Muslim area with a language related to Turkish, calling it "East Turkestan". Arguably, Mongolia and various other areas could be included as well.
References
- ↑ UN map of Central Asia
- ↑ Country list for Central Asia
- ↑ M.E. Ahrari with J. Beal (January 1996), The New Great Name in Muslim Central Asia, Institute for National Strategic Studies, National Defense University, McNair Paper Number 47
- ↑ Mark Dickens, The Transoxania Pages: Central Asian history, languages, literature and culture