The former Soviet Central Asian republic of Kyrgyzstan is an artificial construct created by Joseph Stalin, who rearranged internal Soviet borders in the Fergana Valley to maximize the chances of dislocation, dispute and disruption among the indigenous populations in case the Soviet provinces ever gained independence. The demarcation of these borders saw Kyrgyzstan obtaining the region's foothills and highlands, which provide the region's water; Uzbekistan getting the fertile floor of the valley; and Tajikistan having the only decent access to the valley as a whole. As such, the three states continuously are jockeying for control over the only decent real estate in the region.
