Area: 143,100 sq km
Population: 8,051,512
Capital: Dushanbe
President: Emomali Rahmon
Currency: Somoni
Official languages: Tajiki, Persian, Russian
Major cities: Khujand, Kulob, Qurghonteppa, Istaravshan, Vahdat, Rasht
Tajikistan is a newly independent state on the southern tip of Central Asia. Beautiful and remote, Tajikistan has much to offer to the mountaineer, the hiker and the independent
traveler in search of remote locations and unusual cultural experience. There are opportunities for alpine mountaineering, rock climbing, hiking, horse or camel riding, historical exploration, cultural experiences or simply relaxing among dramatic mountains and lakes. The republic is bounded by China in the east, Afghanistan to the south, and Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan to the west and north. Geographically, Tajikistan is generally subdivided into five natural and geographic zones: Northern Tajikistan, Southwestern Tajikistan, Central Tajikistan, the Western Pamirs, and the Eastern Pamirs. These zones differ from each other in climatic conditions, relief, geological structure, vegetation, animal world, and anthropocentric load. The climate of Tajikistan is continental, characterized by considerable seasonal and daily fluctuations of temperature, humidity and other meteorological elements. The annual average sunshine varies from 2,000 to 3,160 hours.
