Abstract

DUARTE, Paulo. CENTRAL ASIA: THE BENDS OF HISTORY AND GEOGRAPHY. rev.relac.int.estrateg.segur. [online]. 2014, vol.9, n.1, pp.21-35. ISSN 1909-3063.

This article aims to highlight the major historical and geopolitical characteristics of Central Asia. Various geopolitical currents highlight the prominence of Central Asia under the geostrategic and global economy. Authors such as H. Mackinder or Z. Brzezinski, stressed the importance of the 'Heartland' (i.e. the Eurasian Balkans), while is 'world axis' and geopolitical space. The central argument is that this is a region of major importance in the current economic arena as a result of its strategic position as a link between East and West, a space of competition and reinforcement of the great powers. By revisiting history and through a literature review, this paper aims to contribute to increase knowledge about a remote region of the world, but of utmost importance in the geopolitical and economic context of today. Besides, the region has been, in recent years, attracting the attention of foreign investors due to the existence of large reserves of oil and gas.

Keywords : Central Asia; history; geopolitics; post-Soviet space; Central Asian Republics.

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