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Travel Warning:
Some parts of Central Asia can be unstable: check current
government advice before travel. Ongoing military operations
in the region mean Western tourists can be the target of terrorism.
About Tajikistan
Mountains cover 93 percent of this breathtaking country,
with nearly half of the interior more than 10,000 feet above
sea level. Intersected gorges and canyons carry the overflow
from the mountain's rainfall from the great Tien Shan and
Pamir ranges. It is a land-locked country, hemmed in by the
Pamir and
Alay mountain ranges. The climate in Tajikistan can be
ferocious with scorching summers, and bitterly cold winters.
In the mountains you'll feel the extremes even more so.
Independence was achieved on 9th September 1991, but the following
civil war damaged the already weak economy, causing decline
in industrial and agricultural products. Since the end of
the civil war in 1997, the economy is struggling to rebuild
itself, but 60 percent of the population still remains in
poverty.
There is a risk of earthquakes in this region and possible
floods; check the latest tourist advice before booking. The
most recent serious earthquakes occurred in 1911 and 1946,
flattening many structures and killing hundreds.
Islam was introduced to the region around the seventh century
with the Arab conquest. Several invasions followed including
the Samanids, whose creativity in the region increased
learning and nurtured talents like the great philosopher-scientist
Abu Ali ibn Sina. The Mongols controlled the
whole region, along with the Russians much later. The
Soviet Union collapsed in 1991 and Tajikistan became independent.
However the country quickly descended into civil war. A peace
treaty was signed in 1997 and President Rakhmanov took
power.
Tajikistan locations
Dushanbe
Tajikistan's capital city unfortunately has little for the
visitor besides its pretty exterior. With the mountains providing
the backdrop and the oriental-inspired buildings, it generally
looks good but there's not much here to make for a prolonged
stay. The Barakat Market is poor compared with its
Central Asian neighbours but there are two museums: the Professional
Museum of Ethnography, housing some good displays of Tajik
art such as pottery, carpets, jewellery and musical instruments;
and the Tajikistan Unified Museum has interesting exhibits
on natural history and art. The Ayni Opera and Ballet Theatre
has the finest interior in the city and is worth visiting
for a performance.
Khojand
Pronounced 'Ho-jan', this is Tajikistan's second city and
one of the country's oldest. Alexander the Great founded
Khojand over 2,300 years ago at the entrance to the rich Ferghana
Valley. Here it enjoyed great prosperity with palaces,
grand mosques, and a citadel. However, after the onslaught
of Mongols in the early thirteenth century, the city
was completely destroyed and a less impressive version was
rebuilt. The Soviet interference in 1929 saw the Ferghana
Valley split between the Tajik and Uzbek SSR.
In more recent times, the Tajikistan civil war has raged
and the city has been fairly secure behind the Fan Mountains,
avoiding the worst of the fighting. It remains the wealthiest
region of the country, and is generally safe for travel. The
river and green parks make it a pleasant stop for a couple
of days relaxing, and there are a few interesting sites for
the visitor. There is a modern mosque and medrassa, and the
Mausoleum of Sheikh Massal ad-Din is worth a visit.
The Panchshanbe Bazaar is equipped with all the traditional
sights and smells of a Central Asia market.
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