14 things you didn’t know about Central Asia

It’s fair to say that Central Asia is a weird and wonderful place. While many will know quirky details about East Asian countries such as China, Vietnam, and Thailand, the history of Central Asia and its countries remains an untouched topic. With that in mind, here we run through some of the many curiosities that have come to our attention over the years. Whether you’re looking to plan a month-long expedition or just want to learn more about this fantastic region, let’s have a look at some unknown facts about Central Asia.

14 interesting facts about Central Asia

1. Tulips, apples and walnuts originate from Central Asia

Tulips, apples, and walnuts all came to Western Europe from Central Asia. The word “tulip” is derived from the Persian word delband, meaning “turban”, an object that the flower is said to resemble. Apples came to us from the Tian Shan mountains on the Kazakhstan-Kyrgyzstan border and apparently have more genes than humans. The world’s largest single natural source of walnuts is an enormous forest near the Kyrgyz village of Arslanbob.

2. Central Asia contributed to the Black Death

Central Asia also played a part in spreading the Black Death in 1347. At the port of Caffa on the Crimean Peninsula of Ukraine, the Golden Horde, a remnant of the Mongol Empire that ruled Kazakhstan and southern Russia, laid siege to the town then ruled by the Genoese.

The Mongol troops carried with them the bubonic plague, endemic to the Central Asian and the Mongol steppe. The Horde catapulted their corpses over the walls and into the town, infecting the inhabitants. Caffa’s residents later unwittingly carried it with them across the Mediterranean and back to Genoa, where it then spread to the rest of mainland Europe.

3. Tajikistan restricts wedding parties to a certain size

The Central Asian Republic of Tajikistan has an austerity law to prevent wedding parties from being too large. The law was brought in to prevent families from bankrupting themselves by throwing enormous parties they could not afford, which was previously a common occurrence. According to the law, weddings are limited to three hours, and you can’t have more than 150 guests at your wedding. With 60% of Tajiks living below the poverty line, the law aims to prevent several families from falling into bankruptcy.

4. Central Asia has the Continental Pole of Inaccessibility

The Continental Pole of Inaccessibility is better known as the furthest place on land from the sea. It lies not far from Urumqi in China’s Xinjiang Province. More specifically, you’ll find it at (46°17′N 86°40′E) near the Kazakhstan border.

5. Turkmenistan has 438 dinosaur footprints

The Köýtendag Nature Reserve in Turkmenistan has over 400 footprints of the megalosaurus, dating back to around 150 million years ago – certainly one of the more surprising facts about Central Asia! The reserve is also known as the Dinosaur Plateau due to the 438 fully-preserved dinosaur tracks. The park has some of the most intriguing cave systems in the region, making it an even more unique destination for your Asian trip.

6. The only Central Asian people to speak Sogdian are in Tajikistan

The people of Yaghnob village in Tajikistan are the only speakers worldwide of traditional Sogdian, the language of ancient Sogdiana. This region was famously conquered by Alexander the Great and was home to Roxana, his future wife. Dialects of this language are spoken in the Hindu Kush regions of Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and China. However, Yaghnob village is the only area where the original Sogdian language is spoken.

7. Uzbekistan has the largest open-pit gold mine

Uzbekistan has the world’s largest open-pit gold mine at Muruntau, deep in the Qizilqum Desert. It’s apparently visible from space. Stretching for roughly 2.1 miles by 1.5 miles (3.5km by 2.5km), this multi-layered pit-mine truly is an awe-inspiring place to see in person.

8. You can earn the coveted Snow Leopard award

Any climber able to ascend the five highest peaks of the former Soviet Union (three in Tajikistan, one in Kyrgyzstan, and one in Kazakhstan, all over 22,965ft or 7,000m) is given the Snow Leopard award. The first Westerners to receive the award were William Garner and Randy Starrett in 1985. Starrett, a lawyer from Virginia, remarked: “I climb because I’ve never met another lawyer above 7,000m”.

9. Kazakhstan has the world’s first and largest space launch facility

Kazakhstan is home to the first and largest space launch facility in the world, the Baikonur Cosmodrome. It was the location of the Soviet Union’s first successful launch into space and continues to be a hub of space exploration. While it is currently being leased by Russia until 2050, the facility is regularly used for several international space programmes.

10. Central Asia’s most revered sport is Buzkashi

Although buzkashi is the national sport of Afghanistan, it’s played by Central Asians across this vast region. Traditionally, the game consisted of two teams of seven players on horseback trying to score points by getting a goat carcass over the opposition line. Fortunately for many, the modern game uses a rubber replica of the carcass instead. It is a staple event in the World Nomad Games.

11. The silk trade ran through Central Asian countries for millennia

Silk was traded throughout and across Central Asia for hundreds of years. The earliest practical example of this trade can be seen in silk fragments found in the hair of an Egyptian mummy, dated circa 1070 BC. The silk trade crisscrossed the region and facilitated the trade and transference of many other items and ideas.

12. Kazakhstan is one of the only countries to denuclearise

By April 1995, Kazakhstan handed all of its nuclear warheads over to the Russian Federation. The only other countries to have denuclearised include South Africa, Belarus, and Ukraine.

13. The last Emir of Bukhara lived until 1944

The last Emir of Bukhara, Mohammed Alim Khan, lived until 1944. In 1920, 24 years earlier, his reign had ended when the Russian Red Army invaded Bukhara. This invasion inevitably destroyed the Uzbek Manghit dynasty and forced Khan to flee to Kabul, Afghanistan.

14. Uzbekistan’s Bukhara is over 2,000 years old

Having been a major waypoint along the Silk Road, the city of Bukhara has been a crucial part of Central Asia for over 2,000 years. Not only that, its historic center is also the most complete example of a medieval city in Central Asia, making it a truly unique place to visit.

Visiting Central Asia: FAQs

If you’re curious to find out more before planning a trip of your own, below we’ve provided a few quick answers to popular questions asked about Central Asia. Of course, you can then reach out to one of our local experts in your preferred destination; they’ll have all the knowledge and insights to provide you with further advice and guidance.

What countries are in Central Asia?

Known as the five ‘stans of Central Asia, the region consists of Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan.

What makes Central Asian culture unique?

Central Asia is the historic melting pot of the Silk Road. It’s the one place where Europe, Africa, and Asia intertwine, and this can be seen in the region’s historic buildings, artwork, and customs.

What is Central Asia rich in?

Central Asia has a bountiful amount of oil and gas.

Make it happen

Now that you know all the unique facts about Central Asia, it’s time to use that inspiration to make your trip happen. Check out our top Middle Asia tours for more details on fantastic experiences, all crafted by local experts. Our trips are private and can be tailor-made to your requirements and dates, so don’t hesitate to start planning!