March 29, 2024
Tajikistan fun facts

69 Tajikistan Interesting Fun Facts – History, Culture, Life, Travel

(Last Updated On: March 2, 2022)

Tajikistan fun facts are quite interesting for readers. Tajikistan is officially known as the Republic of Tajikistan, Tajik Tojikiston, or Jumhurii Tojikiston. This country is also spelled Tadzhikistan, a country lying in the center of Central Asia. This article will feature many more interesting Tajikistan fun facts for you!

It is bordered on the north by Kyrgyzstan, on the east by China, on the south by Afghanistan, and on the west and northwest by Uzbekistan. The Gorno-Badakhshan (“Mountain Badakhshan”) autonomous region of Tajikistan, with Khorugh as its capital, is part of Tajikistan (Khorog). Tajikistan has the lowest geographical area of the five Central Asian republics, but it outstrips them all in terms of height, with more and higher mountains than any other country in the region. Tajikistan was a constituent republic of the Soviet Union from 1929 until 1991 when it gained independence. Dushanbe is the capital.

Tajikistan’s national identity is more complicated than that of other Central Asian countries due to ethnic relationships and foreign influences. Tajiks have a close family and the same language with a considerably larger community of Tajiks residing in northeastern Afghanistan, where a major part of the population speaks Dari, a Persian dialect understood by Tajiks. Despite their sectarian differences (the majority of Tajiks are Sunni Muslims, whilst Iranians are mostly Shia), Tajiks have significant links to Iran’s culture and people; the Tajik and Persian languages are closely related and mutually intelligible. The Tajiks’ long-standing economic partnership with oasis-dwelling Uzbeks further muddles the articulation of a unique Tajik national identity. Tajikistan has been riven by strife between the government and the Islamic opposition and its allies since its independence.

Tajikistan was a part of the Soviet Union until 1991 when it gained independence. The 1990s, which should have given optimism and independence to the people of Tajikistan, instead delivered a civil war that wreaked destruction and put the country back significantly. Keep going for more Tajikistan fun facts!

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Tajikistan, sometimes known as the Republic of Tajikistan, is a landlocked Central Asian republic. Between 1929 and 1991, it was a constituent country of the Soviet Union, sandwiched between Kyrgyzstan, China, Afghanistan, and Uzbekistan. Due to a nearly decade-long civil conflict, the nation stayed off the map even after the fall of the Iron Curtain. However, as the new century approaches, the nation is slowly but steadily acquiring a reputation as an unconventional vacation hotspot, particularly among mountaineers and outdoor enthusiasts who come to the country for its breathtaking landscape and high-altitude attractions.

Tajikistan, Central Asia’s smallest and poorest nation, is situated between Afghanistan and China, as well as Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan. It is 93 percent mountainous, with some of the most daring treks and one of the finest road excursions in the world — the Pamir Highway. 

Tajikistan Fun Facts

Let’s find below some interesting Tajikistan fun facts!

1. Tajiks are an Iranian ethnic group who live mostly in Afghanistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Tajiks are Tajikistan’s largest ethnic group, and Afghanistan and Uzbekistan’s second.

2. Tajikistan is one of the nations with the biggest hydroelectric potential in the world, and hydroelectric power accounts for the majority of the country’s electricity generation. Hydroelectric power has been generated from several of the fast-flowing mountain streams.

3. Tajikistan was partitioned from 1860 onwards, with the north falling under Russian authority and the south being conquered by the Emirate of Bukhara.

4. Tajikistan’s two official languages are Russian as an interethnic language and Tajik as the state language, as defined in Article 2 of the Constitution: “Tajik will be the state language of Tajikistan.”

5. Tajikistan is mostly a hilly country. More than 90 percent of the nation is covered by mountain ranges, with roughly half of the country rising above 3000 meters above sea level. Tajikistan’s tallest peak is the 7,495-meter-high Ismoil Somoni Peak.

6. Tajikistan sits in a seismically active zone, making it particularly vulnerable to earthquakes. The earthquakes of 1907 and 1949 were the most deadly, with thousands of people killed.

7. Drug trafficking has wreaked havoc on the country that was formerly part of the Silk Road. It’s now one of the main routes for Afghan heroin to reach Russia and Europe.

8. Tajikistan’s region was formerly located on one of the most significant Silk Road routes connecting the East with the West. Bactria, Tokharistan, Soghd, Istaravshan, and Fergana were connected to India, Afghanistan, and China by this route. Tajik is also mentioned in Persian, Greek, Chinese, and Arabic texts as an important cultural and commercial impact between the 5th and 12th centuries.

9. For males, a tunic-style shirt, broad trousers, a quilted dressing gown, a waist scarf, a skull-cap or turban, leather boots, galoshes with pointed toes (which are commonly worn over boots); for ladies, a tunic-style dress, wide pants, a kerchief or a skull-cap.

10. The nation is full of alpines, but Iskanderkul is the most beautiful of them all. This glacially-fed lake, located on the northern slopes of the Gissar Range in Tajikistan’s Fann Mountains, will enchant you with its exquisite morning reflections. On the Fann Mountains, there are several routes that lead to the lake.

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Facts Tajikistan

11. Lakes, like mountains, are an important aspect of Tajikistan’s natural environment. In total, there are around 1450 lakes in the nation. Karakul is Tajikistan’s biggest lake. It’s in the country’s northern-eastern corner, at a height of 3914 meters above sea level.

12. Tajik, also known as Tajiki Persian, Tajiki, and Tadzhiki, is a dialect of Persian spoken by Tajiks in Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. It is closely connected to Dari, with whom it forms a linguistic continuum of mutually intelligible Persian dialects.

13. Following the disintegration of the Soviet Union in 1991, the Tajik republic proclaimed independence and changed its name to Tajikistan, one of the fun facts.

14. Because Tajikistan is made up of 93 percent mountains, your vacation will undoubtedly involve some adventures among the peaks; nevertheless, be warned that altitude sickness is a genuine danger if you travel over 4000 meters. Almost as perplexing and concerning is the state of the public ‘toilets’ (filthy at best), therefore bring your own toilet paper and hand sanitizer with you at all times.

15. Low pay and insufficient training often lead to a lack of professionalism among police officers (who are often more concerned with coercing bribes from drivers). Tourists are periodically stopped by the police and asked to show their identification. Keep a photocopy of your passport with you at all times. It’s safest to keep your passport hidden in an underwear money belt or in a hotel safe.

16. More concerning are the tiny, often inexplicable attacks that occur from time to time in Dushanbe, the capital. As with many terror attacks, some have targeted venues frequented by ex-pats and foreign visitors, such as nightclubs and restaurants — these have been small-scale so far, but the tendency is growing. As a result, the Tajik government conducts counter-terrorism operations on the outskirts of Dushanbe on occasion.

17. Following anti-government protests, a civil war erupted. From 1992 to 1997, the war claimed the lives of at least 20,000 individuals.

18. Tajikistan was captured by Genghis Khan in the 13th century, along with the rest of Central Asia, and became part of the Mongol Empire.

19. The UNESCO-listed Tajik National Park (Mountains of the Pamirs) is situated in the heart of the “Pamir Knot,” a junction of the continent’s highest mountain ranges.

20. Since attaining independence in 1991, Tajikistan has been working its way out of poverty. The country’s over-reliance on remittances, on the other hand, has caused its economy to stagnate. As a result, there is a hungry workforce and a scarcity of employment to feed them.

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Interesting Facts about Tajikistan

21. Tajikistan is a multi-ethnic country with 14 ethnic groups. The majority of Tajiks are Muslims (95 percent Sunni and 3% Shia), whereas Pamiris are practically entirely Ismaili Muslims. Shorts, vests, and short skirts are not acceptable attire in a Muslim country.

22. ‘Gushtingiri’ is Tajikistan’s national sport. It’s a traditional sport of wrestling in which districts compete against one another. Each region has its own ‘alufta,’ the best wrestler in the area. They become a well-liked member of the community, but lower-ranking members constantly challenge them to battle.

23. There are four unique seasons in each place. The spring season, which runs from March to May, is moderate, as are the fall months, which run from September to November, with average temperatures in the lowlands ranging from 68°F to 86°F.

24. The Pamir Highway, the world’s second-highest road, is located in Tajikistan. The Pamir Highway, also known as the M41, is recognized for its stunning landscape and secluded location.

25. The capital, Dushanbe, looks very different at night than it does during the day. In the morning, the streets are bustling with strolling ladies, laughing children, and old men enjoying tea at sidewalk cafés; but, by evening, the streets are deserted, and boy racers (some of whom are most likely inebriated) speed up the main drag, Rudaki, making crossing the road dangerous.

26. In Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Tajikistan, the minimum legal age to purchase alcohol is 21, whereas in Uzbekistan it is 20. Only Kyrgyzstan permits those under the age of 18 to buy alcohol. The sale of alcohol is prohibited in Turkmenistan on all holidays and non-working days, including Saturday and Sunday.

27. Tajikistan’s capital city is Dushanbe, which means Monday in Persian. The city used to be at the crossroads of a big market held every Monday, one of the Tajikistan fun facts.

28. Dushanbe is a lovely city surrounded by beautiful parks. The Ismoil Somoni golden statue, which rests in Friendship Square, dates from the 10th century. It’s also home to the Dushanbe, the world’s second-tallest flagpole, which stands 164 meters tall.

29. Tajikistan, like the rest of the Soviet Union’s republics, was ruled by the Tajik republican branch of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union in all aspects of government, politics, and society.

30. Iskanderkul is Tajikistan’s most famous and picturesque lake. At a height of 2,195 meters, this triangular-shaped lake may be found. Furthermore, tradition has it that Alexander the Great stopped by this lake, and the lake was named after him (his Persian name was Iskander).

31. Unexploded mines may be present in places surrounding the nation, notably along the Afghan, Uzbek, and Kyrgyz borders, however, they are normally properly marked. These locations should not be visited, and it is important to keep up with Tajikistan’s news since insurgent activities might have an impact on the security situation. Only a river separates two nations in certain locations.

32. The most important health regulation in Tajikistan, particularly in the capital Dushanbe, is to avoid drinking tap water. Perhaps self-evident, but there is still a severe risk of rust in the water, as well as Typhoid — boiling water is normally safe. If you fall ill, the Prospekt clinic (on Sanoi Street) in Dushanbe, which has English-speaking doctors, is your best choice for western-style therapy and/or medications.

33. Beauty standards differ from one culture to the next. In Tajikistan, the majority of women have a single brow. Unibrows are thought to be quite appealing in the nation, and females with distinct brows often paint them to give the appearance of one brow.

34. Taxis, many of which are unlicensed, meet shared taxis (locally known as marshrutkas) coming in the middle of the night in Dushanbe — do not allow the driver’s companions to enter the car under any circumstances, even if it means getting out. Men should be warned that prostitutes may seek them at certain of Tajikistan’s lower-cost hotels. Commercial sex prostitutes aiming for international clientele frequent the Dior and Port Said nightclubs.

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Fun Facts about Tajikistan

35. Winters are cold, with an average temperature of 0 °C (32 °F) in January, while summers are hot, with an average of 28 °C (82 °F) in July, with a night minimum of 21 °C (70 °F) and a high of 36 °C (97 °F).

36. Tajikistan is on the heroin highway, which runs from Afghanistan through Russia and eventually into Europe. As a result, Tajikistan has a major drug issue, as well as an increasing HIV infection rate. Travelers are unlikely to be targeted by the criminal groups who run the company.

37. Because Tajikistan is a largely Muslim country, many of the country’s official holidays and provincial festivals are based on Islamic lunar calendar events. The majority of Tajiks participate in the Ramadan celebrations at the end of the holy month.

38. Tajikistan has a fairly cheap cost of living. Living in Dushanbe (Tajikistan’s most costly city) is 2-3 times less expensive than living in other capital cities throughout the world, according to expatistan.com. The cost of living in other Tajik cities is significantly lower.

39. Buzkashi is also a prominent winter sport. Players seek to scoop up a dead goat and land it in their goal, which is similar to polo but played on horseback, one of the Tajikistan fun facts.

40. Tajikistan is the Tajik word for “place of the Tajik (people).” Tajikistan literally means “Land of the Tajik [people]” since the Persian ending “-stan” denotes “place of” or “country.”

41. Peak of Imeni Ismail Samani, formerly known as Communism Peak or Stalin Peak, in the western Pamirs of Tajikistan. It is the highest point in Tajikistan and the Akademii Nauk Range, rising to a height of 24,590 feet (7,495 meters). In 1933, a Russian team became the first to climb it.

42. Tajikistan has started construction on what is projected to be the world’s highest dam in 2016. The 335-meter-high Rogun Dam will be taller than China’s 305-meter-high Jinping-1 Hydropower Station. The project is scheduled to be finished in 2028.

43. Tajikistan became a fully-fledged component republic of the USSR in 1929, after having previously been part of the Turkestan (1918–24) and then the Uzbek (1924–29) Soviet Socialist Republics (SSRs).

44. Khujand is Tajikistan’s second-largest city. Take a stroll around Panjshanbe Bozor, a busy and colorful city where you may learn about the local culture. Later, go to the Historical Museum of the Sughd Region to discover more about Khujand’s thousands of years of history.

45. Because Tajikistan is an Islamic nation, visitors should dress modestly and take standard precautions. Many Tajik men may have had little experience with western women, and there is a sense that some are confused about how to respond — as is customary, mentioning a husband, even if fake, is a good idea.

46. Many families visit relatives on Navruz, tossing out old items, cleaning the house, and playing field activities. Specialty meals are also available. Fire leaping, dancing around the fire, and battling ‘devils’ with fire are all pre-Islamic Tajik practices that still exist in the most isolated places.

47. Thousands of glaciers may also be found in Tajikistan. The Fedchenko Glacier, located in the Pamir Mountains’ Yazgulem Range, is the world’s longest glacier outside of the Polar Regions. It covers 47 miles (77 kilometers) across 435 square miles (700 sq. km). Meltwater from the glacier flows into the Muksu, Vakhsh, and Amu Darya rivers, eventually reaching the Aral Sea 1,200 miles (2,000 kilometers) distant.

48. The world’s second-highest dam is located in Tajikistan. The Nurek Dam (300 m) was erected to create hydroelectricity on the Vakhsh River in Tajikistan. It held the title of the world’s highest dam until 2013 when China surpassed it with the Jinping-I Dam (305 m).

49. Aluminum, agricultural items, and light industries are the most common Tajik exports. Turkey is Tajikistan’s most significant market, although the country’s exports also go to a range of Asian, European, and CIS countries.

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Tajikistan Interesting Facts

50. Tajik, also known as Tajiki Persian, Tajiki, and Tadzhiki, is a dialect of Persian spoken by Tajiks in Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. It is closely connected to Dari, with whom it forms a linguistic continuum of mutually intelligible Persian dialects.

51. Unprocessed stones and metals, as well as jewelry without a hallmark, are forbidden to export or possess (mark of authenticity). Even if tourists have proof proving that such products were legally purchased in Tajikistan, they must be disclosed before departure.

52. The Pamir Mountains are an adventurer’s paradise. The Pamir Mountains of the nation draw visitors from all over the world due to their isolation, cultural experiences, and breathtaking landscape. The Pamirs are a mountain range that extends from the Hindu Kush and Karakorum, and the Pamir Plateau, also known as Bomi Dunyo or “Roof of the World,” is a plateau. Tajikistan’s Pamir National Park contains 18% of the country’s total area. UNESCO designated the park as a World Heritage Site in 2013.

53. Relief cutting (clear-cut), flat cutting, deep cutting, double-sided cutting, and facing (cladding) cutting are some of the methods used in Tajikistan’s wood carving (kandakory). Large geometric designs, circles, and other patterns are cut using a roller to create streamlined shapes.

54. Power outages, poorly lighted roads, and poorly lit buildings all necessitate the use of a flashlight. Worst of all is the occasional open manholes in the capital, one of which recently resulted in a traveler brutally injuring her leg, cutting her vacation short just as it had begun — be wary!

55. According to local scholars, the country is over 90% Muslim, with the majority following the Sunni Hanafi branch of Islam. Ismaili Shia Muslims make up around 4% of the Muslim population, with most of them living in the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region in the country’s east.

56. Shake-downs are typical at Dushanbe International Airport. If you pass through the airport with a lot of cash and don’t verbally clarify how much you’re carrying, this might promote a large ‘tip.’ One traveler reported being fined $700 US dollars for not having her documentation in order (a missing permit in this case).

57. Tajikistan’s flag is horizontally striped red-white-green with a gold crown in the center. Green represents agricultural productivity, red represents “state sovereignty,” and white represents Tajikistan’s famed cotton. An arc of seven gold stars adorns the crown, symbolizing solidarity among the country’s many socioeconomic strata, including workers, peasants, and intellectuals.

58. In Tajikistan, do not be lured to acquire jewels. You could be given ‘rubies’ in the Pamirs (which are more likely to be spinel from local mines) — anything, but especially stones, exported from Tajikistan (in baggage or otherwise) requires special approval.

59. Every year, millions of dollars worth of opium (heroin) move through Tajikistan. The nation has a 1,300-kilometer border with northern Afghanistan, which produces 90% of the world’s heroin. “One of the world’s greatest volume illegal drug trafficking routes,” according to the CIA.

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Tajikistan Facts

60. Tajikistan is a republic that operates under a presidential system and has elections for the presidency and parliament. It is, nevertheless, a two-party system, with the People’s Democratic Party of Tajikistan having a large majority in Parliament on a regular basis.

61. Tajikistan’s national dish is qurutob, however, plov is the most popular meal in the country, if not all of Central Asia. In a special kazan cauldron, pieces of beef are cooked in oil and served with rice, onions, and carrots.

62. The Qaratog earthquake struck Tajikistan in 1907. It was one of the world’s worst earthquakes. It claimed the lives of almost 12,000 individuals. Thousands of people died in the Khait earthquake in 1949. Because the country is located in a seismically active zone, earthquakes are common.

63. Every year, millions of dollars worth of opium (heroin) move through Tajikistan. The nation has a 1,300-kilometer border with northern Afghanistan, which produces 90% of the world’s heroin. “One of the world’s greatest volume illegal drug trafficking routes,” according to the CIA.

64. Since at least the 4th millennium BC, Tajikistan has been inhabited. Sarazm, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has ruins of towns dating from the 4th to the end of the 3rd millennia BC. It is one of Central Asia’s oldest cities.

65. Aluminum processing and chemical manufacture are Tajikistan’s only two heavy industries. The former, which accounted for 40% of industrial output in 2005, is centered on the Tursunzoda processing facility, while the latter is concentrated in Dushanbe, Qurghonteppa, and Yavan. In 2005, aluminum output grew by 6%.

66. A thick and hearty soup, such as shurbo, is usually served as the main course. Steamed beef dumplings (mantu) and Tajik street food like samosas are also popular in Tajikistan (sambusa). Tajikistan’s most popular foods are meat and soup, with salads of diced cucumber and tomato also popular.

67. Tajikistan has a continental, subtropical, semiarid climate with some desert parts. The climate, on the other hand, varies dramatically depending on height.

68. Tajik identity and culture extend back many thousand years, and in terms of language, beliefs, and traditions, it is quite similar to those of Afghanistan and Iran. The great majority of the population is Muslim, which has influenced the culture, especially in the areas of art, food, music, and festivals.

69. Tajikistan will be simpler for female tourists than nations like India and Egypt, where staring and touching are far more widespread. However, a few traveler accounts of too affectionate tour guides and improper remarks by drivers and guides have made female visitors, particularly lone travelers, feel uneasy.

 

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