The document discusses several former Soviet republics including: - Kazakhstan, which is the second largest after Russia. Its center consists of dry steppe areas that make farming difficult. About half of its population are Kazakhs. - Ukraine, which is about the size of Texas. Rich soil covers 2/3 of the country, earning it the name "breadbasket of Europe." Most of its population lives in cities like Kiev. - Turkmenistan, where natural gas reserves are important for world markets. Most of the country is taken up by the Garagum desert.