[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. |
Republic in central Asia, bounded by Uzbekistan to the west and northwest, Kyrgyzstan to the north, China to the east, and Afghanistan to the south. Its capital and largest city is Dushanbe.
Note: This former member of the Soviet Union declared its independence in 1991.
Note: Tajikistan is predominantly Muslim.
əˌstæn