Turks lived as nomads in Chinese steppes and Mongolia since 3rd millennium BC. First written references to Turks appear in Chinese records around 200 BC. Economy based on shepherding and stockbreeding, especially sheep and horses. Turks converted to Islam around 9th century AD
Six independent Turkic states exist: Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Turkey, Uzbekistan. Northern Cyprus is recognized only by Turkey. Five Turkic republics exist in Russia: Bashkortostan, Chuvashia, Sakha, Tatarstan, Tuva. Several Turkic regions exist in Ukraine, Moldova, China, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan