-stan

 ( Suffixes ) 

-stan ( or स्थानम् ) or ( ,Applies after a vowel, e.g. Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan. ; is a suffix that has the meaning of "a place abounding in" or "place where anything abounds" as a suffix. Whilst Sanskrit predates Old Persian languages, the suffix is widely used by Iranian languages (mainly Persian) some Indic languages (mainly Sanskrit, Prakrit and Hindustani) as well as the Turkic languages (excluding Siberian Turkic), Dravidic languages (mainly Brahui language and Kannada) and other languages. The suffix appears in the names of many regions throughout West Asia, Central Asia and South Asia, and parts of the Caucasus and Russia.

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Etymology and cognates The suffix -stan is analogous to the suffix -land, present in many country and location names. The suffix is also used more generally, as in Sanskrit and Persian which are (ऋगेस्तान, ریگستان), "place of sand, desert"; (गोलेस्तान, گلستان), "place of flowers, garden"; (गुरेस्तान, گورستان), "graveyard, cemetery";

Leila Moshiri (1988). 9780415008860, Routledge. ISBN 9780415008860

and Hindustan (हिन्दुस्तान, هندوستان), "Land of the Indus River (India)".

(2025). 9780429614217, Taylor & Francis. ISBN 9780429614217

In Sanskrit (स्थान ), means "the act of standing", from which many further meanings derive, including "place, location; abode, dwelling".

Originally an independent noun, this morpheme evolved into a suffix by virtue of appearing frequently as the last part in nominal compounds. It is of Indo-Iranian and ultimately Indo-European origin. It is cognate with the English word , Polish (estate, and New World first-level subdivisions). This meaning is ultimately related to Proto-Indo-Iranian *sthāna-, partly loaned into Ancient Greek as ().

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Countries Countries adopting the -stan suffix in both English and these countries' national languages include:

• - ;
• -
• -
• -
• -
• -
• -

Some of these nations were also known with the Latinate suffix during their time as Soviet republics: Turkmenistan was frequently Turkmenia, Kyrgyzstan often Kirghizia, and even Uzbekistan and Tajikistan were very occasionally Uzbekia and Tajikia.

In addition, the native name of Armenia is Hayastan, hay being the endonym of Armenians and India is Hindustan, Hindu being the endonym of Hindus. The largest -stan country by area is Kazakhstan.

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Country names in various languages

– ارمنستان	– Հայաստան (native term: – Հայք)	Ermənistan|| || Ermenistan || – Әрмәнстан || || – Әрмәнстан || – अर्मनिस्तान – ارمنستان | - Арманистон
– بلغارستان	– बुल्ग़रिस्तान – بلغارستان
	– ख़िरवतिस्तान – خروتستان
– انگلستان	Angârêzstān – अङ्गरेजस्तान्									– इङ्ग्लिस्तान - ان٘گلستان
( and )	–	- (formerly Habeşistan)	- (formerly – Հաբեշստան)	- (formerly Həbəşistan)			- (formerly – Хәбәшстан)	- (formerly – ھەبەشىستان)	- (formerly – Хәбәшстан)	– हब्शिस्तान – حبشستان	- (formerly - Ҳабашистон)
– گرجستان	- Гуржистон
		- Юнонистон
– مجارستان	- Можаристон
– هندوستان	Hindustan – हिन्दुस्तान्	- Ҳиндистон
– مغولستان	- Мўғулистон
– لهستان	– लहिस्तान – لہستان
– عربستان سعودی	- Саудия Арабистони
– صربستان	– सर्बिस्तान – صربستان

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Administrative divisions The following table lists the subnational entities of different countries that end with -stan.

Nuristan

Gobustan

RajasthanThe suffix -sthan is through Indic, not Iranic.

Golestan, Khuzestan, Kurdistan, Lorestan, Sistan and Baluchestan

Turkistan Region

Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan

Bashkortostan, Dagestan, Tatarstan

Karakalpakstan

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Administrative subdivisions The following list shows some examples of some second-level, third-level, and fourth-level subdivisions inside different countries that have their names ending in a -stan-like suffix.

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In Afghanistan

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In Armenia

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In India

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In Iran Dehestan is the name of an administrative division in Iran.

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In Pakistan

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In Tajikistan

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In other countries

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Regions

• Arabistan – The name of the Arabian Peninsula and other meanings.
• Arbayistan – A late-antiquity Sasanian satrap.
• Asal Hindustan – A name for the Kingdom of Nepal.
• Asoristan – The province of Babylonia under the Sassanid Empire.
• Azadistan – A short-lived state in the Iranian province of Azarbaijan under Mohammad Khiabani.
• Bashkortostan – An administrative division of Russia in eastern Europe.
• Bashkurdistan – A national-territorial autonomy, during the Russian Civil War.
• Balawaristan – A revived historical name of Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan.
• Balochistan/Baluchistan – A region in Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.
• Baltistan – A northern region in Pakistan.
• Bantustan – An Apartheid-era South African and South West African black 'homeland'.
• Cholistan Desert – A desert region in Punjab, Pakistan.
• Dardistan – A region in northern Pakistan of Dardic languages speakers.
• Dihistan – A Sassanian province.
• East Pakistan – The historic name for pre-independence Bangladesh.
• East Turkestan or Uyghuristan – A region dominated by Uyghurs, located in northwest China.
• Gharchistan – A medieval region in Afghanistan.
• Hindustan - Persian name for India, broadly the Indian subcontinent.
• Indostan – Archaic usage in European languages for Hindustan.
• Iraqi Kurdistan – Kurdish-populated part of northern Iraq.
• Kadagistan – An eastern Sasanian province in the region of Tokharistan (in what is now north-eastern Afghanistan).
• Kafiristan (land of the infidels) – A historic region in Afghanistan until 1896, now known as Nuristan. A similarly named region exists in north Pakistan.
• Kohistan – several regions of this name exist.
• Kurdistan – A Kurds region. See also Iranian Kurdistan, Iraqi Kurdistan, Syrian Kurdistan, and Turkish Kurdistan.
• Lezgistan – An ethnolinguistic region in southern Dagestan and northern Azerbaijan.
• North Waziristan – The northern part of Waziristan region in Pakistan.
• Pashtunistan – The area of Afghanistan and North-Western Pakistan historically inhabited by the Pashtuns.
• Quhistan – A region of medieval Iran, essentially the southern part of Greater Khorasan.
• Registan – A historic site in Samarkand, meaning "place of sand".
• Russian Turkestan – Turkestan in the Russian Empire, later Turkestan Autonomous SSR.
• Sistan or Sistan – A historical and geographical region in present-day eastern Iran (Sistan and Baluchestan Province) and southern Afghanistan.
• Saraikistan – A region in the central part of Pakistan.
• South Waziristan – The southern part of Waziristan region in Pakistan.
• Talyshstan – An ethnolinguistic region in the SE Caucasus and NW Iran.
• Tatarstan – An administrative division of Russia in eastern Europe.
• Tokharistan, Tocharistan or Tukharistan, also known as Balkh or Bactria – The ancient name of a historical region in Central Asia, located between the range of the Hindu Kush and the Amu Darya (Oxus).
• Turgistan or Turestan – A Sasanian province.
• Turkestan or Turkistan – An ethnolinguistic region of Turkic peoples and languages, encompassing Central Asia, northwest China, parts of the Caucasus, and Asia Minor.
• East Turkestan, China, same as East Turkestan.
• Waziristan – A region of northwest Pakistan.
• Yaghistan – A region in northwestern frontier of Pakistan.

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Historical regions

• Frangistan – A historical term used (by Muslims and Persians in particular) to refer to Western or Christian Europe.
• (Funj) - A historical empire located in what is now Sudan.
• Kabulistan – A historical name of the territory centered around present-day Kabul Province of Afghanistan.
• Lazistan – A historical and cultural region of the Caucasus and Anatolia, traditionally inhabited by the Laz people.
• Moghulistan (Mughalistan) – A historical area in Central Asia that included parts of modern-day Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Xinjiang
• Tabaristan – A historical mountainous region located on the Caspian coast of Northern Iran.
• Zabulistan – A historical region roughly corresponding to the modern-day Zabul Province in southern Afghanistan.

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Proposed names

• Balochistan – A proposed country for the Baloch people people.
• Bangalistan – A proposed state for Bengali people in India.
• Khalistan – A proposed country for the Sikhs people.
• Maronites – A proposed state for Maronite Church in Lebanon during the Lebanese Civil War.
• Pashtunistan – A proposed country for Pashtuns people.
• Romanistan – A proposed country for the Romani people.
• Saraikistan – A proposed province in the central part of Pakistan.
• Zaza nationalism – A suggested name for the region where the Zazas live.

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Fictional

• Absurdistan - A satirical term for countries where absurdity is seen as normal.
• Adjikistan – A central Asian country in the video game .
• Aldastan – A central Asian country consisting of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, from .
• Antagonistan – A country in Heavy Weapon
• Ardistan – A country in the novel Ardistan und Djinnistan by Karl May.
• Avgatiganistan – A pun on 'Afghanistan', it means 'fried eggs' ('Avga tiganista') in Greek. country by author Eugene Trivizas.
• Azadistan – A kingdom from the anime Mobile Suit Gundam 00; it means "free land".
• Azmanastan (or Uzmenistan) – A country and region in the film The Expendables 3.
• Backhairistan – The homeland of Bolbi Stroganovsky, a character from the cartoon series The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron, Boy Genius.
• Bananastan – A country from the Popeye the Sailor comic book series, which was ruled by Saddam Shahame, a parody of dictator Saddam Hussein.
• Bangistan – The eponymous country in Bangistan (2015).
• Bazrakhistan – A former Soviet republic in Act of War (1998).
• Belgistan – A Middle Eastern country in the anime Gasaraki.
• Berzerkistan – A republic run by the dictator Trff Bmzklfrpz in the comic strip Doonesbury.
• Bilalistan - A country in the novel Lion's Blood, located in the Southeastern United States.
• Blingostan - A country in Smiling Friends ran by war criminal dictator Mr. Blingo,
• Brajikistan – A country from season 2 of the teen sitcom Wingin' It.
• Capustan – A city-state in Malazan Book of the Fallen.
• Darujhistan – A city-state in Malazan Book of the Fallen.
• Derkaderkastan – A Middle Eastern country in .
• Djinnistan – A country in the novel Ardistan und Djinnistan by Karl May.
• Franistan – A country referred to in the television show I Love Lucy.
• Frigistan – A country in Heavy Weapon.
• Gohet Gostan – A country in Tiga Abdul.
• Hachmachistan – A country in Kickin' It.
• Helmajistan – A area from the anime Full Metal Panic!.
• Howduyustan ("how do you stand?") – A country from the Uncle Scrooge comics.
• Irakistan – A country in the game Broforce.
• Iranistan – An oriental region of Hyborian Age ( Conan the Barbarian stories).
• Istan – An island state in the online role-playing game, Guild Wars Nightfall.
• Jazeristan – A country in the movie The Misfits.
• Kabulstan – A third-world country in MacGyver.
• Kamistan – A Middle Eastern country featured in the television series 24.
• Kazanistan – An ideal state imagined by John Rawls in The Law of Peoples, in which there is a system of law, legal representation for all groups, and a respect for basic human rights, but not full democracy.
• Kehjistan – The state of the eastern jungles in the game Diablo II.
• Kekistan – A country created by 4chan members that has become a political meme and online movement.
• Kerakhistan – A Middle Eastern country featured in the tabletop miniature wargame Battlefield Evolution.
• Kerplakistan – A country in Big Time Rush.
• Kreplachistan – A country in the Austin Powers film series.
• Langtbortistan – A country in the Danish Donald Duck cartoons, literally meaning "far-away-in-stan"
• Lojbanistan – The country imagine themselves inhabiting.
  John Waldemar Cowan (1997). 9780966028300, The Logical Language Group. ISBN 9780966028300
• Moldovistan – An island country in The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest.
• Obristan – A country in Papers, Please.
• Paristan or Pari-estan – A land inhabited by fairies in the folklore of Middle East, South Asia, and Central Asia.
• Pokolistan – A country in the DC Comics universe.
• Ratznestistan – A country in Annie.
• Serdaristan – A country in .
• Skandistan – A country in western Russia in The Years of Rice and Salt.
• Stanistan – A name used to describe a hypothetical union between the -stan countries.
• Taboulistan – A country in Vive la France.
• Takistan – A country in .
• Tazbekistan – A central Asian nation in the BBC television series Ambassadors.
• Turaqistan – A country in War, Inc.
• Turgistan – A central Asian dictatorship in 6 Underground.
• Turmezistan – A country in Doctor Who.
• Tyrgyzstan – A country in the BBC television drama The State Within.
• Urzikstan – A country in (2019).
• Ustinkistan – A country in The Fairly OddParents.
• Yakyakistan – A northern country in which is inhabited by sapient .
• Zekistan – A central Asian nation in the video game Full Spectrum Warrior.

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Other

• Angyalistan – A micronation that claims garbage patches in international waters.
• Autistan – The "metaphorical country" of Autism people.
• Bailoutistan (or Bailoutistan 2.0) - A sarcastic term for Greece following the European Union bail out packages, coined by Yanis Varoufakis in his book Adults in the Room: My Battle With the European and American Deep Establishment.
• Bimaristan – A kind of hospital in medieval Persia and the medieval Islamic world
• Bradistan – A moniker for Bradford, England, owing to its large population of Pakistani worker migrants.
• Canuckistan – An epithet for Canada, used by Pat Buchanan on 31 October 2002, on his television show on MSNBC in which he denounced Canadians as anti-American and the country as a haven for terrorists. He was reacting to Canadian criticisms of US security measures regarding Arab Canadians.
  Chantal Allan (2025). 9781897425497, Athabasca University Press. . ISBN 9781897425497
• Cavaquistan ( Cavaquistão in Portuguese) – A name coined after the former Portuguese President and Prime-Minister Aníbal Cavaco Silva, referring to the regions of Portugal where he achieved landslide victories in the elections held in the late 1980s and early 1990s (especially in the Viseu District); intended pun with Kazakhstan ( Cazaquistão in Portuguese).
  Carla Fernandes (2025). 9781443894654, Cambridge Scholars Publishing. . ISBN 9781443894654
• Dalitstan.org – A Dalit advocacy website active until mid-2006,
  Dibyesh Anand (2011). 9780230362635, Palgrave Macmillan. . ISBN 9780230362635
  one of 18 websites that were blocked by the Indian government to check for hate messages following the 2006 Mumbai train bombings.
• Extremistan and Mediocristan – A term used by author Nassim Nicholas Taleb to illustrate concepts of black swan theory in his 2007 book .
• Filmistan – An Indian film-production company.
• Fondukistan or Fondoqestān – An early medieval settlement and Buddhist monastery in Afghanistan
• Gazimestan – A monument commemorating the historical Battle of Kosovo.
• Hookturnistan – A satirical name for Melbourne, due to the large number of on city roads.
• Hamastan – A hypothetical Palestinian Islamic government with Sharia as law.
• Iranistan – A pseudo-orientalist mansion built for P. T. Barnum in 1848 in Connecticut
• Islamistan – means 'Land of Islam', used in various contexts
• Londonistan – A nickname given to London by French counter-terrorism agents. It is sometimes used derogatorily to refer to the large immigrant, especially Muslim, population in London.
• Muristan – A complex of streets and shops in the Christian Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem
• New Yorkistan – The title of the cover art for the 10 December 2001, edition of The New Yorker magazine.
• Orbánistan – A derogatory term for Hungary under the rule of Viktor Orbán.
• Paganistan – The pagan/neo-pagan community of Minneapolis-Saint Paul in Minnesota
• Quebecistan – A term coined by Barbara Kay in 2006 in reference to Quebec, Canada.
• Sarvestan Palace – A Sasanian-era palace in the Iranian province of Sarvestan.
• Shabestan – An underground space, usually found in the traditional architecture of mosques, houses, and schools in ancient Persia
• Shahrestan (several meanings)
• Skateistan – A skateboarding/educational organization based in Kabul, Afghanistan.
• Swedistan – A derogatory term for Sweden due to its growing immigration from Islamic countries. It is sometimes used by internet users to attack or offend Swedish Muslims.
• Talibanistan – A name for the government of Afghanistan under Taliban rule.
• Zaqistan – An unrecognized micronation in Nevada.

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See also

• -abad
• -an
• -desh
• -land
• -patnam
• -pur
• -tania
• List of geographic names of Iranian origin
• Oikonyms in Western and South Asia

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Notes

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Sources

• Touraj Daryaee (2025). 9780857716668, I.B.Tauris. . ISBN 9780857716668

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Further reading

• Maciuszak, Kinga. The Persian Suffix -(e)stān 'The Land Of' Studia Etymologica Cracoviensia 13 (2008): 119–140.

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External links

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