Do you know the "stan" family of Central Asia? They are a collection of countries whose names end in the suffix "stan," the ancient Persian word meaning country, nation, or land.
There are seven "stans" in the world, but Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Tajikistan stand out for what they have in common. These five nations were once part of the former Soviet Union.
All now independent, these "stans" make for a fascinating and rewarding exploration. So browse this gallery and meet this extended family of Central Asian countries.