Contents: -- Uzbekistan.
pt. 1. Narrative section -- The geography and history of Uzbekistan -- Physical and human geography -- Climate and ecology -- Political geography -- Population characteristics -- History -- Early history -- The Imperial Russian period -- The Soviet period --Independent Uzbekistan -- Conclusion -- References -- The economy of Uzbekistan -- Agriculture -- Cropping pattern -- Land ownership and reform -- Industry -- Service sector -- Poverty -- Transportation and communication -- Tourism, a potential engine of growth? -- Economic performance and barriers to growth -- Conclusion -- References -- Uzbek institutions -- Government and politics -- The Rashidov regime (1959-1893) -- The Usmankhozhayev administration (1983-1988) -- The Nishanov/Karimov period (1988-1991) -- Independence (1991- ) -- Religion and society -- Education -- The educational system -- Literacy -- Religious education -- Conclusion -- References -- Uzbek society and contemporary issues -- Ethnicity and social system -- Ethnic groups -- Social system -- Women's status in society -- Recreation and popular culture -- Traditional music -- Modern music and music video -- Television and film -- Sports -- Uzbekistan and the world -- References --

pt. 2. Reference section -- Key events in Uzbek history --Significant people, places, and events -- Language, food, and etiquette in Uzbekistan -- Uzbekistan-related organizations -- Annotated bibliography of recommended works on Uzbekistan. Kazakhstan.

pt. 1. Narrative section -- The geography and history of Kazakhstan -- Physical and human geography -- Climate and ecology -- Political geography -- Population characteristics --Migration and urbanization -- History -- Early history -- The Imperial Russian period -- The Soviet period -- Independent Kazakhstan -- Conclusion -- References -- The economy of Kazakhstan -- Agriculture -- Cropping pattern -- Land ownership and reform -- Industry -- Services -- Poverty -- Transportation and communication -- Tourism : possibilities and prospects -- Economic performance and barriers to growth -- Conclusion -- References -- Kazakhstan institutions -- Government and politics -- Khrushchev and the Virgin Lands Program -- The Kunaev era (1964-1986) -- The Kolbin-Nazarbayev interlude (1986-1991) -- Independence (1991- ) -- Religion and society -- Education -- Educational system -- Literacy -- Religious education -- Conclusion -- References -- Kazakh society and contemporary issues -- Ethnicity and social system -- Ethnic groups -- Social system -- Women's status in society -- Recreation and popular culture -- Traditional music -- Modern music and music video -- Television and film -- Sports -- Kazakhstan and the world -- References --

pt. 2. Reference section -- Key events in Kazakh history -- Significant people, places, and events -- Language, food, and etiquette in Kazakhstan -- Kazakhstan-related organizations -- Annotated bibliography of recommended works on Kazakhstan. Kyrgyzstan. pt. 1. Narrative section -- The geography and history of Kyrgyzstan -- Physical and human geography -- Climate and ecology -- Political geography -- Population characteristics -- History -- Early history -- The Imperial Russian period -- The Soviet period -- Independent Kyrgyzstan -- Finding the past, facing the future -- References -- The economy of Kyrgyzstan -- Agriculture -- Cropping pattern -- Land ownership and reform -- Industry -- Services -- Poverty -- Transportation and communication -- Tourism : a potential engine of growth? -- Economic performance and barriers to growth -- Conclusion -- References -- Kyrgyz institutions -- Government and politics -- Turdakun Usubaliyev : party boss and patron (1961-1985) -- Absamat Masaliyev's tenure (1985-1991) -- Kyrgyz independence (1991- ) -- Religion and society -- Education -- The educational system -- Literacy -- Religious education -- Conclusion -- References -- Kyrgyz society and contemporary issues -- Ethnicity and social system -- Ethnic groups -- Social system -- Women's status in society -- Recreation and popular culture -- Traditional music -- Modern music and music video -- Television and film -- Sports -- Kyrgyzstan and the world -- References --

pt. 2. Reference section -- Key events in Kyrgyz history -- Significant people, places, and events -- Language, food, and etiquette in Kyrgyzstan -- Kyrgyzstan-related organizations -- Annotated bibliography of recommended works on Kyrgyzstan.