Tajikistan - A Compendium of Nations

Author: Liu Qiyun
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-05-01
Features: Tajikistan is the only landlocked alpine country in southeastern Central Asia, bordering Xinjiang, China to the east. Over 90% of its territory is mountainous, with more than half of the country's land area above 3,000 meters in altitude. Agriculture plays a significant role in the economy, with long cotton fiber renowned worldwide. The country is rich in mineral resources, with uranium reserves ranking among the highest in the world. Its mining and metallurgy and textile industries are well-developed. This book provides a comprehensive analysis and description of Tajikistan's geography, politics, culture, and military. Tajikistan is a multi-ethnic country with 86 ethnic groups. The Tajik ethnic group is the dominant majority, accounting for 70.5% of the total population. Tajiks adhere to Islam, with the majority being Sunni and a minority being Shia. Tajikistan has a long history and is a great and ancient country crossed by the magnificent "Silk Road," known as a shining pearl on the Silk Road. The Great Silk Road was famous worldwide due to the merchants of Bactria and Sogdiana, the ancestors of the Tajiks, and their swift horses and two-humped camels. As early as the 5th and 8th centuries, Panjikent was highly prosperous, with magnificent palaces and temples, earning it the title of the "treasure of Central Asia." Three major Silk Road routes—Sogdiana, Kanatgum, and Pamir—run through Tajikistan, connecting Persia, Greece, China, and the Arab countries. These routes made significant contributions to economic development and cultural exchange. As President Rahmonov of Tajikistan said, "The Silk Road passed through the areas inhabited by Tajiks, bringing not only material wealth but also great cultural and spiritual wealth." Tajikistan has endured centuries of changes and finally established its own state—the Samanid Empire—in the 9th century. Ancient cities such as Istfanobon and Shastan, with numerous mosques, well-preserved castles, and mausoleums, are still present. Tajikistan boasts unique wooden carvings from the 10th to 11th centuries and distinctive architectural styles. The famous religious city is Kurgand. Historically, many scientists, writers, historians, and poets have emerged, with representative famous historical figures including Jafar al-Rudaki, Firdausi, Ibn Sina, and Abu Nasr al-Farabi. Tajikistan is relatively rich in natural resources, primarily in non-ferrous and rare metals. Among them, its uranium reserves rank first in the CIS. Tajikistan is the source of rivers in Central Asia and also home to the world's largest land glaciers. It has abundant hydropower resources, with per capita hydropower reserves ranking among the highest in the world. Hydropower generation is an important export commodity for the country. Tajikistan's current economic foundation and strength are weak, with a single economic structure and high dependence on foreign countries, primarily serving as a raw material base. Tajikistan is one of the least urbanized and poorest countries among the former Soviet republics. During the Soviet period, 50% of Tajikistan's national budget relied on subsidies from the union center, and 54% of residents' consumer goods had to be imported from other republics. After independence, due to civil war, the economy regressed by nearly half a century. Industry is mainly focused on electricity and the extraction of non-ferrous and rare metals. Agriculture is dominated by cotton cultivation, producing the "white gold" of cotton.