5 Stans – Turkmenistan Uzbekistan Tajikistan Kyrgyzstan Kazakhstan

The "5 Stans" is a term for the five countries of Central Asia: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. These countries are rich in history, culture, and natural beauty. Known for: Architecture: The Silk Road cities of Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva in Uzbekistan Mountains: The Tien Shan "Mountains of Heaven" and the Fann Mountains Deserts: The vast deserts of Central Asia Rivers: The mighty rivers of Central Asia Gas crater: The "Door to Hell" in Turkmenistan, a giant burning gas pit History: The great trade routes linking Europe and China opened Central Asia to foreign cultures, customs, and religions over 2,000 years ago The countries were part of the former Silk Road