One of the "stans" of Central Asia:Astana
It is also sometimes referred to as 
Middle Asia, and, colloquially, "the 'stans" ... For one, Central Asia has historically 
been closely tied to its nomadic... [DOC] [TLE] A Guide to the Stans of Central Asia | Reconsidering Russia and ... [PAR] Aug 15, 2014 ... One of the most interesting parts the former Soviet space is Central Asia.