What causes an ion to have a positive charge? what causes an ion to have a negative charge?

What is the difference between the cultures of central asia and the caucasus region? the majority of people in central asia are muslim; the majority in the caucasus region are christian. the primary language in central asia is armenian; the primary language in the caucasus region is russian. central asia has been plagued by ethnic unrest; the caucasus region has had little ethnic conflict. the effects of soviet rule can still be seen in central asia; the caucasus region has developed its own identity since the fall of the ussr.