Tajikistan is a landlocked country that forms a part of Central Asia. A mountainous country, it has ninety percent of its area precipitous and rocky. The country stands bordered by Afghanistan in the south, Uzbekistan in the west, Kyrgyzstan in the north, and China in the east. Forming its border with Afghanistan are Amu Darya and Panj rivers, while its mountains are the major source of surfeit for the Aral Sea. Majority of the population in Tajikistan is from the Tajik ethnic group and shares its culture and history with the Persians. In the following lines, we have provided more information on Tajikistan. Read on and explore the country further.
Fun & Interesting Facts about Tajikistan
- The official name of Tajikistanis the ‘Republic of Tajikistan’.
- The official language of Tajikistanis Tajik, though Dari, Russian and Uzbek are also spoken there.
- Majority of the population in Tajikistancomprises of Sunni Muslims, followed by Shiite Muslims and Christians.
- The largest ethnic group in Tajikistan comprises of Tajiks.
- The currency of Tajikistanis Somoni.
- The capital of Tajikistanis Dushanbe.
- Tajikistanfollows the system of Unitary Presidential Republic.
- Tajikistan was initially a part of the Samanid Empire, but was created as an Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic, within Uzbekistan, in 1924.
- Tajikistan was separated from Uzbekistan in 1929 and became a Soviet Socialist Republic.
- Tajikistan became an independent nation in 1991, after the dissolution of USSR.
- Tajikistan suffered from a devastating civil war in the late 20th century, which lasted from 1992 to 1997.
- The terms ‘Tajikistan’ literally means ‘Land of the Tajiks’.
- ‘Ismoili Somoni’ (7,495 m) forms the highest point in Tajikistan.
- The Iskanderkul Lake of Tajikistan has been named after Alexander the Great.
- Fergana Valley is an area that is shared by Tajikistan, with Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan.
- Sarazm, near Penjikent, is a settlement that was in existence in the Bronze Age.
- The ‘Silk Road’, forming a major trade route between China and Europe, passed through Tajikistan.
- Karabair and Lokai horses are reared in Tajikistan.
- Tajikistan consists of 4 administrative divisions - provinces of Sughd and Khatlon, the autonomous province of Gorno-Badakhshan (GBAO) and the Region of Republican Subordination.
- Tajikistan is amongst the smallest nations in Central Asia, in terms of area.
- More than fifty percent of Tajikistan land is over 3,000 meters (approx. 10,000 ft) above sea level.
- Over ninety percent of the area in Tajikistan is mountainous.
- Aluminum, zinc, lead, chemicals and fertilizers make up the major industries of Tajikistan.
