Roads Bridges in Chapter 20, Essay

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One of these issues is Central Asian archaeology. Towards the end of the chapter, the author notes that there may be whole cities buried beneath the desert sands in Central Asia. Because the author also mentions the importance of tourism for the economic empowerment of the region, it is clear that archaeology may become a major tourist draw.

In 1997, the author notes, an expedition on foot was undertaken to capture the Taklamakan desert on camera. Such adventures are rare, and not for the common visitor. Similarly, the common visitor will not be an archaeology scholar but rather, an amateur interested in ancient sites. For the same reason why tourists visit Egypt and Greece as much for ancient as modern culture, tourists to Central Asia may be driven by this core curiosity.

Lawler (2006) describes Viktor Sarianidi's unearthing of Gonur, one of many ancient settlements in Central Asia. Under the Soviet Union, access to such sites was nearly impossible. Now, Gomur is in the nation of Turkmenistan, where archaeologists like Sarianidi can explore. Central Asia and places like eastern Turkmenistan still seem too remote for most tourists. After all, it is a lot more difficult to make one's way to the site of Gomur than it is to Athens.

Some of the most exciting archaeological sites are located in Central Asia. One Web site details the Buddhist artifacts in Afghanistan as well as the major sites of the Mohenjo-Daro Civilization in Pakistan (Central Asia Archaeology n.d.). Sites like these would be major tourism draws were it not for the political problems plaguing the region. In fact, this is one of the main themes of Chapter 20, "Roads and Bridges, Tourism and Pipelines.

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" Tourism, scholarship, economics, and politics are inextricably entwined. In China, it has become relatively easy to traverse the entire nation without any problems but not so for Afghanistan.

Roads, railroads, and bridges can become symbolic links between ancient and modern. They can also link disparate nations and cultures, via common trade interests. Roads can eradicate political borders or render them irrelevant. Propaganda or not, terms like "road of Friendship" and "Silk Road" are important tourism draws. Tourism helps locals become economically self-sufficient and less dependent on the oil economy or other solo industries.

The Central Eurasia Project (2010) demonstrates another way that the region is being gradually opened to outsiders, including average tourists. By attracting scholars and NGOs, the Central Eurasia Project (2010) helps stimulate foreign direct investment that is not necessarily tied to developing the region only for oil. One of the most devastating issues detailed in Chapter 20 is the fact that China covets access to its West and to the former Soviet states for oil alone. Those countries, moreover, are beholden to and depdent on China because of their lack of access to the sea. If a Muslim economic zone were in fact created, these nations could have a more diversified client base.

The United Nations Educational Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO 2009) takes a balanced approach to Central Asia. Noting that the region is rich in natural beauty as well as archaeology, culture, history, and diverse people, UNESCO (2009) also calls for sustainable tourism development. Harnessing the region's natural resources including oil should also be accomplished ethically......

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