Fast Facts About Tajikistan

Geography

Land Area:
143,100 square kilometers (55,082 square miles) (slightly smaller than Wisconsin)

Terrain:
Pamir and Alay mountains dominate the landscape. Western Fergana Valley in north. Kofarnihon and Vakhsh Valleys in southwest

Arable Land:
6.52% (2005)

People

Population:
7,011,556 (July 2008)

Population Density:
48 per square kilometer

Age Structure:
0-14 years: 34.6%
15-64: 61.7%
65 years and older: 3.7%

Population Growth:
1.89% annually (2008)

Major Cities:
Capital is Dushanbe 582,400. Other cities:  Khujand, Qurghonteppa, Kulob, Khorugh, Urbanites 28%

Ethnic Groups:
Tajik 79.9%, Uzbek 15.3%, Russian 1.1% (declining because of emigration), Kyrgyz 1.1%, other 2.6% (2000 census)

Languages:
Tajik (official), Russian widely used in government and business

Literacy:
99.4% (male=99.6%,female=99.1%) (2003)

Languages with Scriptures:
3 Bibles, 3 work in process

Religions:
Sunni Muslim 85%, Shi'a Muslim 5%, Christian 1.38%, other 8.62%

Religious freedom is guaranteed, but the government closely watches all religious activity. Proselytism is not forbidden, but any activity causing religious tension is quashed.

Communications

Telephones:
280,200 (2005)

Mobile Telephones:
265,000 (2005)

Radio Stations:
AM 8, FM 10, shortwave 2 (2002)

Radios:
1.291 million (1991)

Television Stations:
6 (2006)

Televisions:
820,000 (1997)

Internet Service Providers:
2,050 (2007)

Internet Users:
19,500 (2005)

Data Sources:
World Factbook 2008 and Operation World 2001