Tajikistan flag
Basic facts of Tajikistan
Official name: Republic of Tajikistan
Capital: Dushanbe
Area: 143,100 sq km, 55,250 sq mi
Population: 7,211,884 (2008 estimate)
Population growth rate: 1.89 percent (2008 estimate)
Population density: 51 persons per sq km, 131 persons per sq mi (2008 estimate)
Urban/rural distribution:
Share urban 24 percent (2003 estimate)
Share rural 76 percent (2003 estimate)
Largest cities: Dushanbe, Khujand, Kŭlob, Qurghonteppa
Languages: Tajik (official), Dari, Russian, Uzbek
Religious affiliations:
Sunni Muslim 80 percent
Shia 4 percent
Atheist 2 percent
Orthodox (Russian)
Christian 1 percent
Nonreligious 12 percent
Other 1 percent
Life expectancy:
Total 65 years (2008 estimate)
Female 68.2 years (2008 estimate)
Male 62 years (2008 estimate)
Literacy rate:
Total 99.5 percent (2005 estimate)
Female 99.2 percent (2005 estimate)
Male 99.7 percent (2005 estimate)
Form of government: Republic
Total number of military personnel: 7,600 (2004)
Introduction:
Tajikistan, landlocked republic in southeastern Central Asia, bordered on the north by Kyrgyzstan, on the north and west by Uzbekistan, on the east by China, and on the south by Afghanistan. Dushanbe is the country’s capital and largest city. Tajikistan contains the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region (Badakhshoni Kuhi), an ethnically based political subunit that occupies about 45 percent of the country’s territory.
In Tajik, the official state language, the country is called Jumhurii Tojikiston (Republic of Tajikistan). Tajiks, who speak a form of Persian, constitute a majority of the country’s population. In 1929 Tajikistan became the Tajik (or Tadzhik) Soviet Socialist Republic (SSR) of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). Tajikistan became independent in 1991. Shortly after independence, a civil war broke out between the Communist-dominated government and opposition groups. The two sides formally signed a peace accord in June 1997.
A mosque of Tajikistan
A majority of Tajikistan’s inhabitants are ethnic Tajiks, who are predominantly Muslim. Under Soviet rule (1921-1991), religion was severely restricted; mosques were closed and religious practice was prohibited outside of state-sanctioned places of worship. Restrictions were eased somewhat in the mid-1980s, but it was not until Tajikistan became independent in 1991 that Muslims were again able to freely practice their religion.
Tajik Muslims
A group of Tajik Muslims celebrate Novrux, the Muslim New Year. Although religious activity was severely restricted under Soviet rule, religion remained important to the Tajiks, most of whom are Muslims. Tradition is reflected in the people’s religious practices as well as in their dress, which includes loose cotton trousers and chapans (robes) for men, and the tuppi, or skullcap, worn by men and women alike.
Dushanbe, Tajikistan
Dushanbe is Tajikistan's capital and largest city. It was erected only a few years ago after city authorities allocated a plot of land to the community. During the years of Soviet control, religious practices in Tajikistan and other Soviet holdings were severely curtailed. Local Adventists had not had a church in which to meet since the 1920s, when the first members of the denomination arrived in the newly established city.
Horse and Riders in Tajikistan
Landlocked Tajikistan lies between Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, China, and Afghanistan. Most Tajiks of this former Soviet republic live in rural areas near rivers and oases, where they farm and raise horses, cattle, sheep, and yaks. Mountains cover much of Tajikistan, including the rugged Pamirs in the southeast.