Next time you glance at an atlas or check out a map of Central Asia you may notice the seemingly confusing criss-crossing borders and repeated town names. These are just two oddities that have arisen across the region over the past few hundred years.
The suffix -stan itself has its roots in a Persian word meaning ‘the land of’ – so for example, Tajikistan would translate to ‘Land of the Tajiks’ and Turkmenistan ‘Land of the Turkmens’ etc.
In this blog, we’re going to take a peek at five of the stan countries which were once part of the Russian Empire, and latterly the Soviet Union. Eagle eyed readers may have noticed that there are, in fact, seven stan countries if you include Pakistan and Afghanistan, however, Pakistan was part of the British Raj, and Afghanistan has served as a quasi-battleground between Russian and western interests for centuries; notably during the notorious Great Game.
We’ll be taking a look at the countries in the same order that we travel to them in our incredible Five Stans Tour; starting with Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan, before heading to Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and ending up in Turkmenistan.
But first, a quick look through history…
History
The region today known as Central Asia has been part of grand empires, ancient Khanates, and vast emirates throughout history.
However, the first time the region came under the control of a western power was during the 19th century when the expanding Russian Empire began annexing territory previously held by various small khanates across the region. It was this inclusion into the Russian homeland that would set the stage for their future autonomy with the Soviet Union.
This expansion brought the Russian Empire’s border right up to Afghanistan, where they stood mere kilometres away from the British Empire in what is modern Pakistan. The 19th century’s famed ‘Great Game’ was a quasi-Cold War between the two great powers as they wrestled for control over Afghanistan and the Central Asian region.
Eventually, in 1917, the Russian Revolution came, ending Tsarist rule and creating the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. This new system of government brought with it a new Commissar for Nationalities which was responsible for dividing the territory up along ethnic borders – by 1936, the process had resulted in a decade of new autonomous republics and new fully-fledged Soviet Socialist Republics; this included the Uzbek SSR in 1924, Turkmen SSR in 1925, Tajik SSR in 1929, and the Kazakh SSR and Kirghiz SSR in 1936.
This system of independent Soviet republics within the USSR continued until the collapse and dissolution of the union in 1991 when the republics broke awake and declared independence as sovereign states.
The wiggly, winding borders which cut towns, villages, and major roadways in half are a holdover from the Soviet era when these borders were porous and so infrastructure was able to be built regardless of which republic it ran through. Today, however, this has led to tensions and difficulties between the countries, as well as long detours to drive around strange border oddities.
However, these quirks make Central Asia and the Five Stans some of the most intriguing countries to visit for western visitors, especially as these republics have begun to revive their distinct, national cultures in the years since the dissolution of rule from Moscow.
So, why not join a trip to the Five Stans and experience it for yourself?
Kyrgyzstan
The Kyrgyz Republic is situated in the mountainous heart of Central Asia and bordered by Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and China. The republic is 199,000 square kilometres in size, the capital of which is the city of Bishkek in the north. Around 7 million people live in Kyrgyzstan, with many ethnic Kyrgyz, Tajiks, Uzbeks, and Russians living side-by-side in the country. The official language is Kyrgyz, although Russian is widely spoken.
Due to the mountainous nature of the country, nomadic culture has dominated the history of Kyrgyzstan. Between the 6th and 13th centuries, the Kyrgyz Khanate grew to encapsulate all of modern day Mongolia, and most of western and northern China as well as large swathes of modern-day Kazakhstan.
The region later became part of the Russian Empire in 1876, and becoming the Kirghiz SSR in 1936 as part of the Soviet Union. The country’s rule by the USSR saw rapid industrialisation and urbanisation take place over the latter half of the 20th century. The mountains and valleys were home to many closed towns which were not accessible to the general population due to the classified nature of their work – mining uranium to fuel Moscow’s nuclear programme.
The culture of Kyrgyzstan is heavily reliant on the legacy of their nomadic ancestors with many still living in yurts, tending livestock, and practicing horsemanship. The ‘Epic of Manas’ is one of the country’s most famous cultural artefacts, an epic poem passed down orally through the centuries and reportedly the longest poem in the world.
Visitors to Kyrgyzstan will often start their trip in the capital, Bishkek, before striking out east to the crystalline waters of the Issyk Kul Lake. Others will head south towards the second city, Osh, and the great Tian Shan mountains that lie beyond. The country’s main pull factor is its breathtaking landscape – mountain passes, steep valley’s, lakes, rivers, and so much more are waiting for you in Kyrgyzstan!
So, why not join us on a trip to Kyrgyzstan this year?
Kazakhstan
The Republic of Kazakhstan is the largest of the Five Stans, and is the ninth largest country on earth by land area boasting 2.7 million square kilometres. The country is bordered by Russia, China, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, whilst almost bordering neighbouring Mongolia to the east.
Like many countries in the region, Russian is a widely spoke language alongside the official state language, which in this case is Kazakh.
The region was part of the vast Silk Road network, responsible for facilitating trade between the orient and the western world throughout history – a common theme across these republics. The region was part of the Mongol Empire under Chinggis Khan, latterly becoming part of the Golden Horde.
It later became the Kazakh Khanate built around a more distinct Kazakh ethnic identity which lasted until its slow annexation into the Russian Empire during the 18th and 19th centuries from where it became a Soviet Socialist Republic in 1936 and was home to the Soviet Union’s first nuclear tests at Semipalatinsk in the north. It declared independence in 1991 becoming the Republic of Kazakhstan with Astana as its capital.
The culture of Kazakhstan, much like the rest of Central Asia, is based around a historically nomadic population and people, often living in traditional yurts across the vast steppe – surprisingly, many continue to live like this to this day.
Cuisine revolves around boiled meats, including horse meat, and dairy products. One of the most culturally significant beverages in the country is fermented mare’s milk, known as Kumis.
It’s almost impossible to cover all of Kazakhstan in one visit given its vast size. A visit to the northern regions may include the nuclear testing site at Semipalatinsk, the capital, Astana, and the missile testing facilities at Karaganda.
Visits to the south often revolve around the much older city of Almaty and the nearby Charyn Canyon, a stunning example of the amazing landscapes the region has to offer.
The USSR’s former rocket launching site, the Baikonur Cosmodrome, is also located in the country and is a popular attraction for visitors.
Why not join us on a trip to Kazakhstan this year?
Tajikistan
The Republic of Tajikistan is, similar to Kyrgyzstan, dominated by mountains, especially in the eastern province which you’ll need a separate permit to visit. The country is bordered by Afghanistan to the south, Uzbekistan to west, Kyrgyzstan to the north, and China to the east. The country boasts a population of 10 million, mostly ethnic Tajiks, mixed with a small number of Uzbeks, Kyrgyz, and Russians, whilst the Pamiri people dominate the eastern Gorno-Badakshan province. The languages spoken include Tajik, the official language, and Russian.
The region was a major part of the Silk Road trade routes between China and Europe with many routes between the mountains and through the valleys making Tajikistan one of the few points which were passable for camel caravans.
Islam came to the region during the Arab conquests of the 7th and 8th centuries, and the region was incorporated into the Mongol Empire in the 1200s. Latterly, Tajikistan became part of the Russian Empire in the 19th century, and was initially an autonomous region of the Uzbek SSR in 1924, later being separated into an independent Tajik SSR in 1929. It declared independence in 1991 as the Republic of Tajikistan.
Unlike Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, the culture of Tajikistan is more closely tied to its Persian neighbours rather than any nomadic heritage. This is reflected in its poetry, writing, and traditions which share DNA with neighbouring Afghanistan and nearby Iran.
Visiting Tajikistan is certainly a highlight of any visit to the region, with many foreign travellers making trips into the Pamir mountains of the east, or the Fann mountains in the north of the country.
The capital, Dushanbe, is home to many grand and impressive buildings, whilst other cities such as Panjikent and Khujand in the north and Khorogh in the south are more Soviet in their design.
Similar to Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan is home to many incredible natural wonders, including some stunning river valleys and beautiful lakes, such as Iskanderkul, named for Alexander the Great.
Why not join us on a trip to Tajikistan this year?
Uzbekistan
The Republic of Uzbekistan is the first country on our list to be more desert than mountain, with much of the country dominated with vast deserts, peppered with some incredible ancient highlights.
The country is bordered by Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan and Turkmenistan and covers 448,900 square kilometres dominated by desert, mountains and steppe landscapes. Around 35 million people live in Uzbekistan, mostly ethnic Uzbeks although there is a sizeable population of Russians, Tajiks and Kazakhs. The official language is Uzbek, although Tajik and Russian are widely spoken in some regions.
Uzbekistan is famous for its heritage as a crossroad of empires and the site of many once-great cities and capitals. The cities of Samarkand and Bukhara were once key hubs along the Silk Road under the Achaemenid Empire and later flourished during the Islamic Golden Age under the Samanid and Timurid dynasties.
The region was devastated by the Mongol conquests of the 13th century, but later rebuilt to become the capital of Timur (Tamerlane)’s empire in the 14th century which ushered in an era of stunning architecture and art across modern day Uzbekistan.
The region joined the rest of the region in being annexed into the Russian Empire in the 19th century and later becoming an independent republic as part of the Soviet Union in 1924, latterly declaring sovereignty in 1991.
Uzbekistan represents a cultural melting pot of Islamic influences alongside Persian and Turkic culture. Here you’ll find traditions similar to those of the Turkey, alongside other aspects of life more similar to Tajikistan and Central Asia.
The region is perhaps most famous for its Islamic architecture with the cities of Samarkand and Bukhara being home to many grand mosques, mausoleums, and madrassahs, which are themselves home to some incredible examples of Islamic artwork and design.
Most visitors to the country will visit the capital, Tashkent, and the great historic capitals of Samarkand and Bukhara, whilst some may make a detour to Khiva near the Turkmen border or the rapidly disappearing Aral Sea in the far northwest.
Why not join us on a trip to Uzbekistan this year?
Turkmenistan
The final country on our Five Stans list is Turkmenistan, nestled in the desert south of Uzbekistan, the country is bordered by Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, Iran, and the mighty Caspian Sea.
The Karakum Desert dominates much of the country which covers an area of 491,200 square kilometres and is centres around its capital, Ashgabat. Only around 6 million people live in the country, mostly ethnic Turkmens. The official language is Turkmen, although Russian is widely spoken across the country, as with the rest of the region.
Turkmenistan has, historically, been part of many great empires from the Achaemenid to the Parthian and Sassanid Empires. Similar to its northern neighbour, the region was part of the Silk Road network bringing goods back and forth between Europe and China.
Given the distinct remoteness of the country and the vast deserts which cover the region, most of the population was, historically, disparate Turkmen tribes living across the desert and in the mountains of the western regions near the Caspian Sea and Iran.
Latterly, the area came under the control of Moscow, later becoming part of the Soviet Union as the Turkmen SSR until 1991 when it declared independence.
The culture of Turkmenistan is very much based around the legacy of tribal and nomadic life, with special emphasis put on horses, most notably the famous Ahal-Teke breed which has grown to become a symbol of the republic itself.
Turkmen carpets are also famed the world over for their intricacy and beauty, so much so that the post-independence flag of Turkmenistan depicts Turkmen carpet designs near the hoist, adding a flavour of local culture and heritage to this national symbol.
Visits to the region often revolve around the capital, Ashgabat, famous for being made almost entirely out of marble and kept scrupulously clean and tidy. Outside of Ashgabat, the most popular tourist attraction is the Darvaza Gas Crater, hidden deep within the Karakum Desert. This huge burning crater is known colloquially as ‘The Gateway to Hell’ and is included on all of our Turkmenistan trips as an overnight camping stop!
Other sites of note include the beautiful Yangykala Canyon in the country’s far west, the ancient city of Konye-Urgench in the north, and the city of Mary and the nearby ruins of Ancient Merv.
On top of these sites, Turkmenistan is choc-full of incredible sites, beautiful landscapes and intriguing highlights, so it’s certainly well worth a visit!
Why not join us on a trip to Turkmenistan this year?
