Tajikistan
About Tajikistan
Nature has given Tajikistan a precious advantage over its neighbours, namely some of the most inspiring, high-altitude landscape in the world. Tajikistan landscape is dominated by the Pamir and Fann mountains. The largest body of water is Karakul lake, located in the Tajik National Park in the Pamir area.
Tajikistan is almost all mountains (93%), dominated by the Alay Range in the north and the Pamir Mountains to the southeast. In fact, more than half of the country is higher than 3,000 m, (9,842 ft.) in elevation.
In terms of water reserves Tajikistan takes the first place in the Central Asia.
Landscape 143,100 km2
Tajikistan is the smallest of the five former Soviet republics in the region. It has an area of 143,100 square kilometres, with 400 square kilometres covered by water. Despite its small size, Tajikistan is known for its mountainous terrain, which makes up about 93% of the country’s landscape.
The Pamir Mountains, often referred to as the “Roof of the World,” are a notable feature, contributing to the country’s rugged topography and its relatively low population density compared to its size. Tajikistan shares borders with Afghanistan, China, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan, which gives it a strategic position in Central Asia.
Population 10,108,990
As of 2024, Tajikistan’s population is estimated to be around 10.9 million. The majority ethnic group is Tajik, comprising about 85% of the population. The country is home to several other ethnic groups, though they are smaller in number. The largest of these are Uzbeks, who make up around 8% of the population, and there are also smaller communities of Russians, Kyrgyz, and others.
Historically, the Russian and other Slavic populations were more significant, but many left after the collapse of the Soviet Union in the 1990s, leading to a more homogeneous Tajik population today. Additionally, Tajikistan has a notable minority of Pamiris, who speak Pamiri and different languages and have distinct cultural practices.
Currency Somoni (TJS)
Tajikistan’s currency, the somoni (TJS), was introduced in 2000, replacing the Tajik ruble at a rate of 1 somoni to 1,000 rubles. The currency is named after Ismail Somoni, a prominent historical figure from the 10th century who is considered a symbol of Tajik unity and the founder of the Samanid dynasty. The somoni is subdivided into 100 dirams, though the diram is not widely used in everyday transactions.
Over the years, the somoni has faced challenges due to Tajikistan’s economic structure, which is largely dependent on remittances and commodity exports. The central bank periodically introduces new banknotes to counter inflation, and in 2018, Tajikistan issued new series of somoni bills with updated security features. The somoni remains a symbol of Tajik sovereignty, even as its value fluctuates, reflecting the broader economic conditions in the country.
Tajik, Russian, Pamiri
Tajikistan’s official state language is Tajik, which is a variety of Persian, sharing many similarities with the Persian spoken in Iran and Afghanistan. While Tajik is the primary language used in government, education, and media, Russian continues to be widely spoken, especially in business and among officials. This is a legacy of the Soviet era when Russian was the dominant language in Central Asia.
In addition to Tajik, there are several regional languages spoken throughout the country. In the mountainous areas, different variants of Tajik are spoken, reflecting the linguistic diversity of these regions. The ancient Sogdian language, once an important trade language in Central Asia, can still be heard in the Fann Mountains. Meanwhile, in the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region (GBAO), the Pamiri languages, a group of Eastern Iranian languages, are spoken by the Pamiri people, adding another layer of linguistic richness to the country.
Tajikistan Quick tips
Drinking water
It’s not safe to drink tap water in Tajikistan as there are mostly no working purifying systems even in big cities. Bottled water can be purchased across the country from every shop.
Safety
Tajikistan maintains a low rate of violent crime. Do double-check weather and road conditions before traveling in the mountains, particularly the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region, which is prone to close or damaged roads, mudslides, and avalanches.
Best time to go
The best time to enjoy Tajikistan would be summer. The markets are full of cheap fruits and vegetables, which any tourist will enjoy and appreciate. If you are going to Pamir, the weather in summer there is pleasant above 3000 m and actually, some of the roads in Pamir like the Bartang valley and South-East of Murgab become only accessible during the summer period.
In the lower lands, spring and autumn are also pleasant as the summer usually brings +40 degree heatwaves.
Currency exchange
US Dollars, Euros and Russian Rubles can be freely changed mainly in the banks. It’s rare to find exchange offices.
Travel Budget
The cost of living in Tajikistan is very low. The cheapest accommodation could be about 10$- 17$ in hostels or homestays and fast food lunch can be bought with 3$.
However, traveling to Pamir Highway and beyond might be not cheap due to the road conditions and the requirements of transportation.
Credit Card
Tajikistan’s economy is based on cash and therefore international banking services are limited.
There are ATMs in Dushanbe and other larger cities that offer both US Dollars and Tajik Somoni, however, they are often out of order or out of cash so better resupply on cash when you have the chance. Restaurants or shops do not always accept cards, especially outside Dushanbe.
Local SIM card
Foreigners can buy local sim cards in the operator shops with a registration from the hotel or other accommodation.
The fares for the mobile data are considerably high (higher than Western prices) and the quality of service even in Dushanbe is far from adequate. A lot of Western digital services like Facebook or Youtube are only usable through VPN.
WIFI
In Tajikistan, internet speed is slow compared to Kazakhstan or Kyrgyzstan. Watching online videos is only possible during the low traffic times meaning the middle of the day and late at night.
Most hotels and hostels in cities provide free Wi-Fi access. Rural areas commonly have no internet access at all.
Religion
The majority of the population in Tajikistan are Muslims, with 85 % Sunni and 5 % Shiah. The other 10% comprise orthodox Christians and the rest are Baptists and Roman Catholics.
Nevertheless, tourists can find light alcohol anytime in shops in Dushanbe and other bigger cities.
Must Visit Cities of Tajikistan
Interesting Facts about Tajikistan
- Civil servants in Tajikistan are prohibited from having gold teeth.
- A beautiful lake of Iskanderkul in the Fan Mountains is named after Alexander the Great.
- Tajikistan is the smallest state in Central Asia. Almost the entire territory of this country (almost 93%) is mountainous.
- The Nurek hydroelectric power station entered the Guinness Book of Records as the world's tallest dam - its height is 304 meters, that is, it is higher than the Eiffel Tower.
- Tajikistan is the only non-Turkic country in Central Asia.
Check out the latest numbers concerning Tajikistan from the Tajik agency on statistics.
Page last updated 5.2.2024
