TURKESTAN

general name for extensive tract of Central Asia (36°-47° 50’ N., 59°40’-95° E.), divided into Ru ian and Chin. Turkestan. Name now generally restricted to Ru ian area; Chin. terr. described under Sinkiang. Present Turkestan includes provinces of Ferghana, Sam ark and, Syr Daria, and Semiryechensk; situated between Aral Sea and Pamir plateau; mountainous in S. and E., much desert; principal settlements in oases and parts irrigated by rivers Syr Daria Tli, etc.; lakes in Climate extreme and dry. Crops include wheat, rice, cotton; livestock largely sheep, horses, camels; minerals include copper, gold, silver, lead, iron, coal, salt. Pop. includes settled tribes Mohammedanism. was partially overrun by Mongols in 11th cent., formed part of Tamer lane’s empire in 14th cent., and later was carved into independent states; came under Ru ian control in 19th cent.; proclaimed a republic in alliance with Ru ia aly 1918), but this was short-lived. 2, 420,807 sq. ™.; pop. 6,685,000. See Map ASIA.