Tajikistan, officially the Republic of Tajikistan, is a mountainous landlocked country in Central Asia. Afghanistan borders to the south, Uzbekistan to the west, Kyrgyzstan to the north, and China to the east. Tajikistan also sits next to Pakistan but is separated by the narrow Wakhan Corridor. The country is geographically, politically and culturally divided in the center: the sparsely populated Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region (GBAO) occupies the mountainous eastern half; while the agrarian and urban centers of Tajikistan make up the western and far northern parts. Most of Tajikistan's population belongs to the Tajik ethnic group, who share culture and history with the Iranian peoples and speak a dialect of the Persian language (officially named Tajiki). However, the country is also home to many other ethnic groups, primarily Uzbeks, Kyrgyz, and a small minority of Russians, and most Tajiks speak Russian and understand Uzbek. The capital and largest city is Dushanbe, located among lowlands in the west of the country. In modern times, the country was part of the Russian Empire and Soviet Union, achieving independence in 1991. From 1992-1997, it experienced a devastating civil war, from which it has mostly recovered. Although tensions remain between various groups and the country faces economic challenges, Tajikistan today is a very peaceful and rapidly developing nation.

Tajikistan at a glance
Population: 7,200,000 (2008)
Area: 143,100 sq. km. (55,250 sq. mi)
Capital: Dushanbe
Major Languages: Tajik, Russian, Uzbek
Religion: Islam (Sunni and Shi'a), Orthodox Christianity
Monetary unit: Somoni (1 Somoni = 100 Diram)
Time Zone: UTC +5
Internet Domain: .tj
President of the Republic of Tajikistan: Emomali Rakhmon
Coordinates: 38°33'N 68°48'E (Dushanbe)