Objective Portraits of the Geography, History, and Culture of Six Countries in This Complex Area of the World Asian and Middle Eastern countries are home to some of the world's richest and most complex cultures. Yet to the average student, these areas of the world sometimes conjure images of remote, political hotspots or cultures of religious fanaticism. This unique and timely geography series offers an objective portrait of south asia, central Asia and the Middle East while tracing each country's history to the present day. Using maps of the ancient to modern worlds as its foundation, each book explores pivotal historical moments, encompassing various periods of leadership, the rise and fall of empires, wars, conquests, and any other dramatic changes that affect each country and its surrounding environs. Special attention is paid to include facts about modern events such as the Iran hostage crisis, the Persian Gulf War, and the recent war in Afghanistan. Each book in this series contains rare maps, vivid photography, extensive captions, and resources that include a timeline, glossary, suggested reading list, and bibliography. An invaluable resource for young readers in today's world. Most people know Afghanistan only as a nation of war and ruins, but it is also a section of central Asia rich in art, architecture, and archaeology. Presenting the war-torn country to students also means explaining its history of Soviet occupation, years of ongoing destruction, displaced people, and ravaged art and architecture. This invaluable atlas considers these issues, but also explains centuries of Afghanistan's development through the use of both modern and historical maps.