about tajikistan

Tajikistan, literally the "LAND OF THE TAJIKS,” was once part of the Persian empire in Central Asia. During the XIXth century, along with the rest of what was to become Soviet Central Asia, Tajikistan became part of the Russian Empire. Tajikistan achieved the status of Soviet Republic within the USSR in the late 1920s and finally declared independence at the time of the demise of the Soviet Union in 1991.

After independence, Tajikistan was hit by a brutal civil war as warlords fought for control over the new state structures. This, together with the end to subsidies from Moscow, has contributed to a painful economic decline that impacts every element of life, down to lack of access to potable water.

Tajikistan is now on the road to recovery, reinventing itself as a modern, democratic society with firm roots in its century old traditions.

area
143,001 sq km

population
6,213,000

capital
Dushanbe 528,600

topography
Mainly mountainous, with lower elevations in northwest, southwest, and Fergana Valley in far northern zone. Highest elevations in southeast, in Pamir-Alay system; numerous glaciers in mountains. Dense river network creates valleys through mountain chains. Lakes primarily in Pamir region to the east.

climate
Mainly continental, with drastic changes according to elevation. Arid in subtropical southwest lowlands, which have highest temperatures; lowest temperatures at highest altitudes. Highest precipitation near Fedchenko Glacier, lowest in eastern Pamirs.

official language
Tajik, Russian is widely used in government and business and as a second language.

religion
Islam practiced by about 90 percent of population, mainly Sunni; remainder Russian Orthodox, with some other small Christian and Jewish groups who now worship freely. Strong presence of Ismailis in the Pamir region of Gorno-Badakhshan.

Soviet efforts to secularize the population were largely unsuccessful. Islam, and especially its Ismaili version, was able to survive over 7 decades of repression partly because many holy places are located in Tajikistan and in rural, often hard to access, areas. Urban worship suffered more than the countryside which maintained Islamic teaching. Islam Folk sects prospered, the most popular being Sufism.