Map of countries that Silk Road

Connection is actively involved in

or developing future projects.
We also do charitable work in the
USA.

A Balkan State bordering Turkey,

Greece, Macedonia, Serbia & Romania.
Population: 7,741,000
Capital: Sofia; 1,076,000
Area: 110,994 sq km (42,855 sq miles)
slightly larger than Tennessee
Language: Bulgarian
Religion: Bulgarian Orthodox, Muslim
Currency: Lev, Euro
Life Expectancy: 72
GDP per Capita: $6,500 (USA $36,500)
Literacy Percent: 92

Straddles two continents: 3% in Europe

(Thrace) and 97% in Asia (Anatolia).
Controls the Bosphorus Strait and the
Dardanelles. Its strategic location has made
it of great importance throughout history.
Population: 72,907,000
Capital: Ankara; 3,428,000
Area: 779,452 sq km (300,948 sq miles)
about the size of Texas
Language: Turkish
Religion: Muslim (mostly Sunni)
Currency: Turkish Lira
Life Expectancy: 69
GDP per Capita: $7,300 (USA $36,500)
Literacy Percent: 87

A nation since the 5th Century, but

rarely independent. Ruled by the
Ottoman Empire 1396-1878;
Communist rule 1947-1989; multiparty
democracy instituted in 1990; entered
the European Union in 2007.
Corruption and organized crime persist.
Poverty and unemployment are
widespread, as are divorce and
abortionthere are more abortions than
live births. Many of the young people
emigrate to other nations in the EU
seeking jobs.
Minorities: The Rumelian Turks,
The Millet, The Romani.
This country was once the seat of
Christendom. This area and its ancient
cities are referred to often in the Bible.
Turkeys Ottoman Empire once stretched
across North Africa, Arabia, Western
Asia, and Southeastern Europe. Turkey
was for centuries the guardian of all the
holy places of Islam and its chief protagonist. Since the reforms of the 1920s
under the leadership of Ataturk, Turkey
has officially been a secular state. There
is, however, a struggle between Islamists
and secularists throughout the country.
Turkey has the potential to be an
excellent diplomatic mediator in its
region. Turkey is a member of NATO.

Suffered under one of the Communist

blocs most oppressive regimes. The
A Balkan State on the lower Danube River. A revolution of 1989-90 brought in a
parliamentary government. Entered
land rich in agriculture, minerals and oil, but
European Union in 2007. Corruption
became more industrialized under
Communism. Independent country since 1859. and power struggles impede progress.
Population: 21,612,000
Capital: Bucharest; 1,853,000
Area: 238,391 sq km (92,043 sq miles)
Language: Romanian, Hungarian, German
Religion: Eastern Orthodox, Protestant,
Catholic
Currency: Leu, Euro
Life Expectancy: 71
GDP per Capita: $7,600 (USA $36,500)
Literacy Percent: 98

Southernmost part of Balkan Peninsula in

Southeast Europe and 150 inhabited islands
in the Ionian, Aegean & Mediterranean Seas.
Greece is a republic with a parliamentary
democracy.
Population: 11,100,000
Capital: Athens; 3,238,000
Area: 131,957 sq km (50,949 sq miles)
Language: Greek
Religion: Greek Orthodox
Currency: Euro
Life Expectancy: 78
GDP per Capita: $19,100 (USA $36,500)
Literacy Percent: 98

Landlocked, mountainous country

surrounded by Serbia/Kosovo, Bulgaria,
Greece & Albania. Its a multiparty
democracy.
Population: 2,039,000
Capital: Skopje; 447,000
Area: 25,713 sq km (9,928 sq miles)
Language: Macedonian, Albanian, Turkish
Religion: Macedonian Orthodox, Muslim
Currency: Macedonian Denar
Life Expectancy: 73
GDP per Capita: $5,100 (USA $36,500)

Romania struggles under employment

issues. Many of its workers emigrate to
other parts of Europe and many rural
people abandon their farms. Poverty,
economic instability, substance abuse,
prostitution, pornography, abortion, and
human trafficking are widespread.
Major improvements are needed in
Romanias infrastructure: healthcare,
legal, education, child welfare &
economy.
Greece has the largest fleet of merchant
ships in the EU. Tourism, agriculture
and industry are all important to its
economy.
Nearly four centuries of Turkish rule
ended with independence in 1827. The
last 100 years have been punctuated by
civil war, two military dictatorships, and
tensions with Turkey, although these
have lessened. Current financial troubles
stem from impossible debts and deficits,
causing increased unrest with no easy
solutions in sight. Large numbers of
immigrants from the Balkans and Middle
East/Asia are proposing lots of
challenges.
Proclaimed independence from
Yugoslavia in 1991 and is one of the
poorest countries in the region. Its
economy is mostly reliant on agriculture
and a declining industrial sector. High
unemployment and poverty have forced
many people, especially the young
adults, to seek financial opportunities in
the EU nations, North America and New
Zealand. Economic struggles cause
significant emigration and urban pull,
leaving many of its 2,000+ villages
declining or disappearing altogether.
Macedonias ethnic composition and
challenges dominate its politics and
social existence, where segregation is
more prevalent than unity.

South of Russia, Azerbaijan is on the

west coast of the Caspian Sea. The
Caucasus Mountains define the
Northwestern border.
Population: 8,388,000
Capital: Baku; 1,816,000
Area: 86,600 sq km (33,436 sq miles)
Language: Azerbaijani, Russian
Religion: Muslim (80% Shia),
Russian Orthodox
Currency: Azerbaijani Manat
Life Expectancy: 72
GDP per Capita: $3,700 (USA $36,500)
Literacy Percent: 97

Azerbaijan includes a 5,632 sq km enclave,

Nakhichevan, between Armenia and Iran,
and the disputed 4,400 sq km region of
Nagorno-Karabakh. There has been a long
history of subjugation by Arabs, Monguls,
Persians, Turks and Russians. Became
independent of the USSR in 1991. There
has been a political and social shift away
from Russia, towards Turkey and the West.
It has an oil dominated economy with
reserves found in the Caspian Sea. Baku
was the worlds original oil-boom city over a
century ago. Oil money enriches an elite
few, while 40% live impoverished. The
government is working to reduce poverty.
Oil reserves are predicted to be used up
around 2025 and this is driving economic
development into other areas.

Kazakhstan is enjoying strong economic due

to its large oil, gas and mineral reserves. It
is one of the worlds fastest growing
A landlocked, mostly dry land that
economies. A small minority profit from the
stretches across Central Asia. Flat in
growth while much of the population lives in
the West, rising to high mountains in
poverty and are subject to the many
the East. Worlds 9th largest country.
documented ecological disasters, such as
toxic waste, radiation and pollution.
Population: 15,079,000
It declared independence after the collapse
Capital: Astana; 332,000
of the USSR in 1991. Its a multiparty
Area: 2,717,300 sq km
democracy, but has only had one President
(1,049,155 sq miles)
who has ruled since 1991. It has a very
Language: Kazakh (Qazaq), Russian
diverse population of some 100 recognized
Religion: Muslim, Russian Orthodox
people groups. Since 1991, there has been
Currency: Tenge
a huge influx of emigrate workers from
Life Expectancy: 66
GDP per Capita: $7,200 (USA $36,500) Europe and also a big return of native
Kazakhs from Russia.
Literacy Percent: 98

Only 1% of Turkmenistan is irrigated,

arable land, 80% is desert. Became
an independent nation in 1991.
Population: 5,240,000
Capital: Ashgabat; 574,000
Area: 488,100 sq km (188,456 sq miles)
Language: Turkmen, Russian, Uzbek
Religion: Muslim, Eastern Orthodox
Currency: Turkmen manat
Life Expectancy: 67
GDP per Capita: $6,700 (USA $36,500)
Literacy Percent: 98

Turkmenistan has the second lowest

population density of all the former USSR
nations (after Kazakhstan). The country
consists of two populated strips of irrigated
land on its northern and southern border,
separated by the barren Kara-Kum Desert.
It is famous for carpets, horses, camels
and desert, but it has some of the largest
untapped gas and oil reserves in the world.
Cotton is also a source of income and
employment. The nation is limited by its
geographical location, surrounded by the
politically sensitive Caucasus and the
nations of Iran, Afghanistan, Russia. Since
the death of its harsh dictator in 2006,
Turkmenistan has shown positive signs of
growth and less repression.

Most of the population lives in rural areas,

where cotton crops make Uzbekistan one of
the worlds top five cotton producers. EcoUzbekistan is Central Asias most
nomic growth and living standards are
populated country. The Fergana
among the lowest in the region. It is also
Valley in the northeast is its most
fertile region, containing many cities home to the worlds largest open-pit gold
mine at Muruntau in the Qizilqum Desert,
and industries.
some claim it is the Earths largest gold
deposit. In spite of this, its economic
Population: 26,444,000
climate is poor because of smothering state
Capital: Tashkent; 2,155,000
Area: 447,400 sq km (172,742 sq miles) control and corruption. Widespread poverty
cause many of its young men move to
Language: Uzbek, Russian, Tajik
Russia seeking employment.
Religion: Muslim, Eastern Orthodox
Uzbekistan is known to be a transshipment
Currency: Uzbekistani Sum
nation for the drug trade from Afghanistan
Life Expectancy: 70
GDP per Capita: $2,600 (USA $36,500) to Russia and Europe.
Literacy Percent: 99
The term Uzbek means master of himself.

Became an independent nation in

1991. Its land is 75% mountainous.
It borders China, Kazakhstan,
Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
Population: 5,172,000
Capital: Bishkek; 806,000
Area: 199,900 sq km (77,182 sq miles)
Language: Kyrgyz, Russian
Religion: Muslim, Russian Orthodox
Currency: Kyrgyzstani Som
Life Expectancy: 69
GDP per Capita: $2,900 (USA $36,500)
Literacy Percent: 97

Mountains cover 90% of this Central

Asian republic, whose river valleys
are home to much of the population.
It became an independent nation in
1991.
Population: 6,813,000
Capital: Dushanbe; 554,000
Area: 143,100 sq km (55,251 sq miles)
Language: Tajik, Russian
Religion: Sunni and Shiite Muslim
Currency: Somoni
Life Expectancy: 68
GDP per Capita: $1,300 (USA $36,500)
Literacy Percent: 99

Kyrgyzstan is a predominantly agricultural

country which relies heavily on the raising of
livestock. Its rugged, mountainous
landscape restrict major trade routes and
trade partners. On top of this, widespread
corruption has made economic development
difficult. The new government shows signs
of good development. Widespread poverty &
unemployment cause many to seek jobs
elsewhere, mainly in Russia and Kazakhstan.
Economic hardships, organized crime, ethnic
tensions and Islamic militants are a threat to
Kyrgyzstans stability and growth. The
population is stressed by these threats and
has rioted in recent years.
Potential growth in mining, hydro-electricity
and tourism offer hope for a better future.

Tajikistan is the poorest of the former USSR

nations. Political turmoil and civil unrest has
depressed the economy. As many as one
million Tajik men work abroad, mostly in
Russia. Entire villages are often emptied of
the younger working generation, as they
seek employment elsewhere. The country
has great potential for untapped mineral
reserves and hydro-electric development.
Religious freedom is in its Constitution, but
fear of radical Islam prompts the government
to control all religious expression.
Tajikistan relies heavily on Russian
assistance, with thousands of Russian troops
guarding its borders against weapons, drugs
and Islamic extremists.