[tuh-jik-uh-stan, -stahn, -jee-kuh-, tah-; Russ. tuh-ji-kyi-stahn] 
| a republic in central Asia, N of Afghanistan. 5,112,000; 55,240 sq. mi. (143,600 sq. km). Capital: Dushanbe. |
Ta·jik·i·stan Formerly Ta·dzhik·i·stan (tä-jĭk'ĭ-stān', -stän')  (click for larger image in new window) A country of south-central Asia. The region was settled by the Tajik before the 10th century and conquered by Mongols in the 13th century. By the mid-19th century it was divided among several weak khanates. The region was acquired by Russia in 1895 and was a constituent republic of the USSR from 1929 to 1991, when it declared its independence. Dushanbe is the capital and the largest city. Population: 7,080,000. |
əˌstæn