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nThis Central Asian nation brokenaway from the Soviet Union on this day in 1991. It was the lastnformer Soviet republic to declare independence!
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| Kazakh girls in traditional costumes |
nKazakhstan is the sixth largestnnation in the world, but it’s #1 among all the landlocked nations.nOne of its borders is the Caspian Sea, but Kazakhstan is stillnconsidered landlocked since the Caspian Sea itself is landlocked! (Innother words, the Caspian Sea is a totally enclosed body of water,nrather than a sea that is connected to an ocean. It is oftenndescribed as the world’s largest lake.) However, the Caspian Sea isnconnected to the Black Sea via a manmade canal, and the Black Sea isnconnected to the Aegean Sea, which connects to the Mediterranean Sea,nwhich connects to the Atlantic Ocean.
nnWhew!
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nThe ancient city of Taraz, innpresent-day Kazakhstan, was a major halt along the so-called SilknRoad, upon which people traveled between China and other easternnAsian kingdoms and the Mediterranean civilizations and Europe.nBesides for silk, goods traded included luxuries such as satin andnhemp, musk and other perfumes, tea, spices, medicines, jewels,nglassware, rhubarb, and even slaves. Along with goods, ideas,ntechnologies, religions, and philosophies spread because of thentrade—as did, unfortunately, diseases such as the bubonic plague.
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nnVarious peoples wished to controlnthe trading routes, so both Persian and Babylonian ambassadors triednto win favor among the Turks of Taraz. Later Central Asia wasnconquered and ruled by Persians, Muslims, and Russians (amongnothers).
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Learn more about the SilknRoad…
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n …onnKids’ Past or Mr. Donn’s link-filled website.n
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n …andnon the Penn Museum website, where you can find directions for makingnfried dough twists, felt, silk hand fans, and even mummies!
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