Transcript The ‘Stans… - Alastair Humphreys

The ‘Stans…
Can you locate the following countries in your atlas?
•
•
•
•
Kazakhstan
Uzbekistan
Turkmenistan
Kyrgyzstan
• What do you know about these countries?
• What does your atlas tell you about these
countries?
What is
the link?
What the papers say…
• Extract from “Telegraph Travel” – Saturday
October 28th 2006
• Highlight information about the environment
and reasons that tourists would want to visit.
Central Asia, one of the least known parts of the world, is the perfect home for this autumn’s hottest
comedian, Borat Sagdiyev, whose new film, “Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious
Nation of Kazakhstan” is released in November. It’s perfect because few outsiders know anything about
Kazakhstan, or any of the ‘stans that make up the region, allowing Borat – played by comedian Sacha Baron
Cohen, creator of Ali G – to present it how he likes.
Some Kazakhs think Borat has damaged the reputation of their country, while others think he’s funny. If
anyone takes the new film seriously, he or she is likely to be pleasantly surprised on visiting Borat’s
homeland.
Kazakhstan really does have some tourist attractions worth visiting. Situated in the heart of Eurasia, with
Russia to the north, China to the east, the Caucasus and the Caspian Sea to the west and other Central
Asian states and Afghanistan to the south, Kazakhstan covers a territory the same size as western Europe,
making it the ninth largest country in the world. The population is just 16 million, so there is plenty of
room. And a lot of oil and gas – it has become one of the world’s top producers in recent years. It is also a
country full of rewards for the adventurous traveller, with scenery to rival New Zealand’s at a quarter of
the distance from Britain.
It has glorious landscapes or lakes and forests which are home to many endangered species such as the
snow leopard. On the foothills of its mountains, ancient tribes live in traditional yurts but there are also
stylish cities such as Almaty.
Although tourism is a new industry in a country that achieved independence 15 years ago, Kazakhstan has
proved popular with climbers, bird-watchers and trekkers.
9th largest country in the
world.
Landscape ranges
from grassy plains
(steppes), to desert
to mountains in the
south
One of only 2 countries in
the world which are doubly
landlocked.
Has the biggest
population in
Central Asia
(25,155,000)
Smallest population in
Central Asia (4,459,000).
Many suffer health
problems due to lack of
clean water.
4/5 of the land is
the large, flat
Karakum desert –
black sands, >50C
Mainly mountainous
landscape
Most people herd
cattle, goats and
horses for their
milk and meat.
You are the travel writer!
• You have been asked by The Telegraph
Travel editor to write a piece about
Kazakhstan to encourage more people to
visit.
• Watch the piece of film and make notes to
help you with your writing.
• What information should you note down?
(brainstorm key info)
Euan McGregor – “The Long Way round” DVD – Kazakhstan
episode (15/20 mins)
Travel Writing
• Khazakhstan is…(give some facts – size, location
etc)
• The landscape is…
• The people there are…(describe what they are
like/look like etc)
• The sorts of things that they eat and drink
are….(describe and explain what you think they
would be like)
• Some of the problems of visiting Khazakhstan are…
• However, the best bits about Khazakhstan are…
What can you see?
Where has this
happened?
What has happened?
Why do you think this
has happened?
Who has this affected?
How can this situation
be improved?