9
© The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland
AG 2021
E. Duulatov et al., Current and Future Trends of Rainfall Erosivity and Soil
Erosion in Central Asia, SpringerBriefs in Environmental Science,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-63509-1_2
Chapter 2
Natural Conditions in Central Asia
Abstract This chapter provides information about the topography, climate conditions, and description about soils of Central Asia. Central Asia occupies a vast territory on the Asian continent, including the Kyrgyz Republic, the Republic of
Tajikistan, the Republic of Turkmenistan, the Republic of Uzbekistan, and the
Republic of Kazakhstan entirely, and covers an area of ~4 million km
2
. The region
is a separate natural-historical region, sharply differing. Significant differences in
the height of parts of this territory – from the areas lying below the ocean level to
the highest mountain peaks – make here variety of climate and landscape forms.
Having a long and orographically complex territory with extensive lowlands and
highest mountain elevations in the south, southeast, Central Asia is characterized by
a variety of climatic conditions. The climate of Central Asia is distinguished by a
high continentality, marked by a great amplitude of fluctuations in air temperature
and a meagre amount of precipitation from adjacent areas by its natural conditions.
Xerosols and Yermosols, followed by Kastanozems, Solonetz, and Lithosols with
rock outcrops, occupy the largest area in Central Asia.
Keywords Central Asia · Climatic conditions · Tien-Shan · Soil · Topography ·
Natural conditions
2.1 Topography and Climatic Conditions in Central Asia
Central Asia occupies a vast territory in the Asian continent and includes the Kyrgyz
Republic, the Republic of Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan
(Alamanov et al. 2006) (Table 2.1). These five countries cover an area of 4 million
km
2
(46°45’28.13”–87°21’47.81” E, 35°5’2.24”–52°33’30.49” N) (Chen and Zhou
2015). The nations in Central Asia were once part of the Soviet Union. In the physical–geographical terms, the region is a separate natural–historical region and is significantly different from the adjacent areas in terms of its natural conditions.
© The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland
AG 2021
E. Duulatov et al., Current and Future Trends of Rainfall Erosivity and Soil
Erosion in Central Asia, SpringerBriefs in Environmental Science,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-63509-1_2
Chapter 2
Natural Conditions in Central Asia
Abstract This chapter provides information about the topography, climate conditions, and description about soils of Central Asia. Central Asia occupies a vast territory on the Asian continent, including the Kyrgyz Republic, the Republic of
Tajikistan, the Republic of Turkmenistan, the Republic of Uzbekistan, and the
Republic of Kazakhstan entirely, and covers an area of ~4 million km
2
. The region
is a separate natural-historical region, sharply differing. Significant differences in
the height of parts of this territory – from the areas lying below the ocean level to
the highest mountain peaks – make here variety of climate and landscape forms.
Having a long and orographically complex territory with extensive lowlands and
highest mountain elevations in the south, southeast, Central Asia is characterized by
a variety of climatic conditions. The climate of Central Asia is distinguished by a
high continentality, marked by a great amplitude of fluctuations in air temperature
and a meagre amount of precipitation from adjacent areas by its natural conditions.
Xerosols and Yermosols, followed by Kastanozems, Solonetz, and Lithosols with
rock outcrops, occupy the largest area in Central Asia.
Keywords Central Asia · Climatic conditions · Tien-Shan · Soil · Topography ·
Natural conditions
2.1 Topography and Climatic Conditions in Central Asia
Central Asia occupies a vast territory in the Asian continent and includes the Kyrgyz
Republic, the Republic of Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan
(Alamanov et al. 2006) (Table 2.1). These five countries cover an area of 4 million
km
2
(46°45’28.13”–87°21’47.81” E, 35°5’2.24”–52°33’30.49” N) (Chen and Zhou
2015). The nations in Central Asia were once part of the Soviet Union. In the physical–geographical terms, the region is a separate natural–historical region and is significantly different from the adjacent areas in terms of its natural conditions.