Tajikistan

Tajikistan (Republic of), also Tadzhikistan, independent country in Central Asia, bordering China (east), Afghanistan (south), Kirghizstan (north), and Uzbekistan (west). Its capital is Dushanbe.

Land and climate

Tajikistan is the smallest of the five Central Asian republics (55,300 sq mi; 143,000 sq km). The country is very mountainous, and has a continental climate.

People

Most of its inhabitants are Tajiks (62%), a people related to Sunni Muslim Iranians. Uzbeks constitute the largest minority (24%). The official language is Tajik. The major religion is Sunni Islam.

Economy

Farming and mining are the region's chief industries. Cotton, barley, rice, and wheat are important crops. Major products from mining include fluorite, lead, uranium, zinc, and tungsten. During the civil war (after 1992) part of the infrastructure was destroyed.

History

In the past, the area was frequently occupied by other peoples: Macedonians (Alexander the Great), Persians, and Turks. In the seventh century the population was converted to Islam. After the Mongolian domination the country was conquered by Russia (19th century). One of the 15 constituent republics of the USSR (Soviet Union), Tajikistan became independent in 1991. The country is part of the Commonwealth of Independent States. Formerly one of the 15 constituent republics of the USSR, Tajikistan became independent in 1991.

See also: Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.