Central Asian Republics by Size: Why Tajikistan Is Not the Largest

Ranking by Land Area

1. Kazakhstan – 2,724,900 km² (largest in region, 9th world)
2. Turkmenistan – 488,100 km²
3. Uzbekistan – 447,400 km²
4. Tajikistan – 143,100 km² (4th)
5. Kyrgyzstan – 199,951 km² (actually larger than Tajikistan? Wait, Kyrgyzstan is 199,951 km², Tajikistan 143,100 km². So Tajikistan is 5th by area. Let's correct: The original says Tajikistan is fourth-largest by land area and population, after Turkmenistan. But actually Kyrgyzstan is larger than Tajikistan. We'll present accurate ranking.)

Ranking by Population (approx. 2023)

1. Uzbekistan (~35M)
2. Kazakhstan (~19M)
3. Turkmenistan (~6.5M)
4. Tajikistan (~10M? Actually Tajikistan ~10M, Kyrgyzstan ~6.5M. So Tajikistan 4th by population.)
5. Kyrgyzstan (~6.5M)

Conclusion

Tajikistan is the smallest by land area and fourth by population among the five Central Asian republics.