evidence: The Pamir Mountains - The Pamir Mountains are located in the heart of Central Asia, mostly in Tajikistan. [...] The Pamir Mountains are deep in the heart of Central Asia, mostly in the country of Tajikistan, though there are also parts of the mountain range in the countries of Afghanistan, China, and Kyrgyzstan. It is just one of several mountain ranges in the area. Adjacent to the Pamirs are the Hindu Kush, the Karakoram Range, the Kunlun Mountains, and the Tien Shan. The Pamir Mountains are part of the greater Pamir-Alai system, which stretches from west to east for 560 miles (900 km), and from north to south for 250 miles (400 km). When viewed from space, the Pamirs resemble a quadrangle. [...] The Pamir Mountains are the second-highest mountains after the Himalayas in which human settlements exist. Settlements in the Pamirs are typically found at elevations between 5,000 and 11,480 feet (1,500-3,500 m). Approximately 205,000 people call the Pamirs home. Most of them belong to one of two groups, the Kyrgyz and the Tajiks. The countries of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan are named for these two peoples. The Kyrgyz are Turkic-speaking, while the Tajiks speak several Indo-Iranian languages. Most of the Kyrgyz live in the eastern Pamirs, while the majority of the Tajik population resides in the western valleys. In terms of religion, most Kyrgyz practice the Sunni branch of Islam, while most of the Tajiks in the Pamirs are part of the Ismaili sect of Shiite Islam.