About Tajikistan
The map shows
Tajikistan, a landlocked republic in
Central Asia. The country lies north of
Afghanistan, southeast of
Uzbekistan, and south of
Kyrgyzstan, and it borders
China to the east.
With an
area of 143,100 km², the country is about less than half the size of Italy, or slightly smaller than the
U.S. state of
Wisconsin.
Tajikistan has a
population of 10.5 million people (in
2025). The main ethnic groups are Tajiks (86%) and Uzbeks (11%). Spoken
languages are Tajik (a variety of
Persian spoken in Tajikistan and Uzbekistan by Tajiks). Russian is the official interethnic language. Tajikistan is a predominantly Sunni
Muslim country; over 90% of the population identifies itself as Muslims. Capital and largest city is
Dushanbe (Душанбе).
More about Tajikistan
The Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region in eastern Tajikistan. The Pamir mountain range in the background.
Photo: Ninara
Tajikistan, officially the
Republic of Tajikistan, is a landlocked country in Central Asia.
The former Soviet Republic is known for its dramatic mountainous landscapes and remote high-altitude terrain. Mountains cover over 90% of Tajikistan. The
Pamir and
Alay Mountains dominate the landscape of the country. These mountain ranges are among the highest and most rugged regions in the world.
Towering
Ismoil Somoni Peak, once known as Communism Peak and Stalin Peak, reaches 7,495 m. Fun fact: it was the highest point in the former
Soviet Union.
Tajikistan lies in a seismically active zone. Its landscape offers deep valleys, narrow gorges, and glacial rivers. Among them are the
Vakhsh and
Panj rivers, both major tributaries of the
Amu Darya.
In the west, the multi-ethnic
Fergana Valley is shared by Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and northern Tajikistan.
The eastern part of Tajikistan is known as the
Badakhshan Mountainous Autonomous Region, a vast, sparsely populated plateau with a raw beauty and a harsh climate.
Tajikistan is, together with
Bhutan, Kyrgyzstan, and
Lesotho, among the most mountainous countries in the world; its rugged geography has played a key role in its history and culture.