Reconstruction of Commercial Ways and Silk Road in Nuratau Area

This manuscript is dedicated to history of economical relations and reconstruction of commercial routes on territory of Nuratau from 20 century B.C. till beginning of 20 century. This time interval was conditionally divided onto three periods: before, in time and past of existing the Great Silk Road (GSR). An attempt to reconstruct commercial routes in the region based on analysis of more than 300 bibliographical and 14 cartographical sources (4 of which are old maps) and use of historic-geographical GIS approach is made. That work resulted an electronic dB (semantical and narrative) on history and commercial relations of Nuratau area. A thematic GIS on history of economical development of the area in question was worked out. DEM showing an unique location of Nuratau territory as main transit centre of GSR was created. Role of the studied territory in history of development of economical and cultural relations between Siberia, Volga sides, China, Persia, India, Afghanistan and Kazakhstan.