# Tajikistan

> sovereign state in Central Asia

**Wikidata**: [Q863](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q863)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tajikistan)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/tajikistan

## Why It Matters
Tajikistan plays a critical geopolitical role in Central Asia due to its strategic location bordering China, Afghanistan, and other Central Asian republics. As a landlocked nation with significant mountainous terrain—including the highest point in the former Soviet Union—Ismoil Somoni Peak (7,495m)—it serves as a key geographic connector and a potential trade corridor. Its membership in organizations like the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and the Collective Security Treaty Organization underscores its importance in regional security and economic cooperation, particularly concerning stability in neighboring Afghanistan. Economically, the country's GDP has grown from approximately $8.9 billion in 2021 to over $10.4 billion in 2022, reflecting its development trajectory within the region.

## Notable For
- **Highest Peak**: Home to Ismoil Somoni Peak (formerly Communism Peak), the highest mountain in Tajikistan and the former Soviet Union at 7,495 meters.
- **Ancient Heritage**: The region is historically significant, with roots tracing back to the Tajik Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic established in 1924 and the Tajik Soviet Socialist Republic in 1929.
- **Strategic Borders**: Shares a 1,206 km border with Afghanistan to the south, a focal point for regional security dynamics.
- **Cultural Distinctiveness**: The only Persian-speaking country in Central Asia, with Tajik as the official language.
- **Hydropower Potential**: While not explicitly detailed in the source, its geography (lowest point at Syr Darya, highest at 7,495m) implies significant water resources and elevation changes.
- **Demographic Profile**: Has a relatively high fertility rate (3.49 estimated in 2014) and a young age of majority set at 17 years.

## Body

### Political Structure and Governance
Tajikistan operates as a unitary state and a presidential system. The current head of state is Emomali Rahmon. The head of government has been in office since November 23, 2013, following a predecessor who served from December 20, 1999, to November 23, 2013. The legislative body is the Supreme Assembly. The highest judicial authority is the Supreme Court of Tajikistan. The nation's democracy index was recorded as 1.94 in 2021 (ranked 157), indicating an authoritarian regime classification according to common index interpretations. The age of majority is 17, and the marriageable age is 18 for all genders.

### Geography and Location
Tajikistan is located in Central Asia (Asia continent) with coordinates approximately 38.58°N, 71.37°E. It is a landlocked country covering 143,100 square kilometers. It shares borders with:
- **Uzbekistan**: To the northwest (border length 1,161 km).
- **Kyrgyzstan**: To the north (Tajikistan–Kyrgyzstan border).
- **China**: To the east (China–Tajikistan border).
- **Afghanistan**: To the south (border length 1,206 km).

The country's terrain varies significantly, with its lowest point at the Syr Darya (300 meters) and its highest point at Ismoil Somoni Peak (7,495 meters). Geographic coordinates for specific points include the northernmost (41.03°N, 70.43°E), easternmost (37.41°N, 75.16°E), and westernmost (39.30°N, 67.34°E) extents.

### History and Independence
The entity that is now Tajikistan has evolved through several political stages:
- **1924-10-27**: Establishment of the Tajik Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic.
- **1929-10-16**: Establishment of the Tajik Soviet Socialist Republic.
- **1991-09-09**: Declaration of Independence (Independence Day), replacing the Tajik Soviet Socialist Republic and the Soviet Union.
- **1992-03-02**: Admission to the United Nations.

### Economy and Development
The economy of Tajikistan uses the Tajikistani somoni (TJS), introduced on October 30, 2000, replacing the Tajikistani ruble. The nominal GDP was recorded at $8.94 billion in 2021 and $10.49 billion in 2022. The country has a Value Added Tax (VAT) rate of 20%. Key development indices include:
- **Human Development Index (HDI)**: 0.685 in 2021 (Medium development).
- **Inequality-adjusted HDI**: 0.599 in 2021.
- **Gini Coefficient**: 34 (2015), indicating moderate inequality.
- **Unemployment Rate**: 11% (2014 estimate).

### Demographics and Society
The population has shown steady growth, with estimates ranging from 9.2 million in 2019 to 9.5 million in 2021. Population data indicates a rural majority (e.g., 7,046,761 rural vs. 2,703,303 urban in 2021). The birth rate in 2022 was 26.025 per 1,000 population, while the death rate was 4.695 per 1,000. Life expectancy has fluctuated, recorded as 71 years in 2022. The total fertility rate was estimated at 3.49 children per woman in 2014.

### International Relations and Diplomacy
Tajikistan maintains diplomatic relations with numerous countries, including Russia, the United States, China, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, India, Pakistan, and others. It has established relations with North Korea since February 5, 1992. It is a member of major international bodies:
- **United Nations (UN)**: Since March 2, 1992.
- **Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)**: Since April 26, 1996.
- **Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)**: Since 1992.
- **Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE)**: Since January 30, 1992.
- **Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS)**.
- **Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO)**: Since 1994.
- **World Trade Organization (Accession process implied by IBRD/IFC membership)**: Member of International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (June 4, 1993) and International Finance Corporation (December 2, 1994).

### Infrastructure and Utilities
- **Electricity**: Mains voltage is 220 volts at 50 Hz. Plug types used include the Europlug and AS/NZS 3112.
- **Railways**: Railway traffic operates on the right side.
- **Telecommunications**: Telephone country code is +992. Mobile country code is 436.
- **Emergency Services**: The universal emergency number is 112.

### Culture and Symbols
- **Flag**: Flag of Tajikistan.
- **Anthem**: "National anthem of Tajikistan".
- **Coat of Arms**: Emblem of Tajikistan.
- **Official Names**: Ҷумҳурии Тоҷикистон (Tajik), جمهوری تاجیکستان (Persian), République du Tadjikistan (French), República de Tayikistán (Spanish).
- **Languages**: Tajik (Official), Russian (Vehicular). Regional languages include Ishkashimi, Shughni, Wakhi, and Yaghnobi.

## References

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8. [Interpol](https://www.interpol.int/Member-countries/World)
9. [Source](https://www.interpol.int/Who-we-are/Member-countries/Asia-South-Pacific/TAJIKISTAN)
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11. [Source](https://www.opcw.org/about-us/member-states/tajikistan)
12. [Source](http://www.unesco.org/eri/cp/ListeMS_Indicators.asp)
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28. [Source](https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SI.POV.GINI)
29. [Source](http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS)
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42. [Source](http://uic.org/country-codes)
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44. Aligned ISNI and Ringgold identifiers for institutions
45. [UNESCO Institute for Statistics](http://data.uis.unesco.org/index.aspx?queryid=239)
46. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)
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