None of the problems of the geology of Central Asia, both theoretical and deeply practical (metallogeny and its zones, distribution of coal-bearing and oil-bearing formations, mineral waters, gases, seismicity and much more) can be satisfactorily resolved without knowledge of not only the tectonics of the region, but also the basic regional tectonic concepts. After a critical review of all the material accumulated in large quantities for 60 years, and especially during the last 10 years, on the geology of Central Asia, the author comes to some basic conclusions that have affected his earlier ideas (see article).