Tajikistan

National name: Jumhurii Tojikiston

Government
Republic.

Geography
Ninety-three percent of Tajikistan’s territory is mountainous, and the mountain glaciers are the source of its rivers. Tajikistan is an earthquake-prone area. The central Asian republic also includes the Gorno-Badakh Shan Autonomous region.

Historical Background
The Tajik people came under Russian rule in the 1860s and 1870s, but Russia's hold on Central Asia weakened following the Revolution of 1917. Bolshevik control of the area was fiercely contested and not fully reestablished until 1925. Tajikistan became independent in 1991 following the breakup of the Soviet Union, and it is now in the process of strengthening its democracy and transitioning to a free market economy after its 1992-1997 civil war. Tajikistan is in the early stages of seeking World Trade Organization membership and has joined NATO's Partnership for Peace.

Name

Republic of Tajikistan

Capital

Dushanbe

Government

Unitary semi-presidential republic-President Emomalii Rahmon-Prime Minister Oqil Oqilov

National Language

Russian [3]

Area

Total 143,100 km2 (102nd) 55,251 sq mi

Population

2010 estimate 7,995,754[4] (96th)-2000 census 6,127,000

Currency

Somoni (TJS)