Tajikistan

Figure 8.4.3, A map of present-day Ukraine. (Wikimedia Commons. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Up-map.png)	A family from Tajikistan on the streets of Moscow. (“Family from Tajikistan.” Photo courtesy of The Library of Congress. http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/reflections/images/ref0023s.jpg)
Many of the countries that formed after the breakup of the Soviet Union are founded on traditional cultural groups. For instance, nearly 78 percent of the people of present-day Ukraine are ethnically Ukrainian. This means they share common traditions and history, they are of the same race (Slavic), they speak the same language (Ukrainian), and they have common religious beliefs.	You may have wondered about this picture, which was included among the ones from Russia in the What Part of the World Is That activity. It was taken in the streets of Moscow, but the people are not Russian; they are from Tajikistan. Like Russia, Tajikistan used to belong to the Soviet Union.

Although Tajikistan and Ukraine are both former members of the Soviet Union, they are culturally very different. For instance, their populations speak different languages. The people of Tajikistan are mostly Muslim and the people of Ukraine are mostly Christian. The traditions, customs, and even the clothing of the two groups are distinctly different. Many of those differences are the result of the physical location of the countries; Ukraine borders Europe, while Tajikistan borders China. This is one example of how physical regions can affect the development of cultural, economic, and political regions.

The Kurdish Mountains are another good example of a physical region where the people have strong cultural ties. In earlier lessons we have looked at many aspects that can impact the development of regions. Physical features, including mountains, valleys, vegetation, rivers, lakes, and soil types can impact the development of cultural, economic, and political regions. Climate, weather, elevation, and latitude also play significant roles in the development of cultural, economic, and political regions. As you have learned, people adapt to their environment, and they also adapt the environment to meet their needs.

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