Country Feature – Republic of Tajikistan
REPUBLIC OF TAJIKISTAN
GENERAL INFORMATION
Capital – Dushanbe
Location – the South-east of Central Asia
Territorу – 142,326 square kilometers
Population – 9,5 million people
Language -Tajik
Currency – somoni, introduced in October, 2000
Religion: The main religion is Islam. There are also small communities of Orthodox Christians, Protestants and Judaists
Big cities: Khujand, Bokhtar, Kulob, Khorugh
National holiday: Independence Day – 9 September
Natural resources: Coal, oil, natural gas, iron, zinc, antimony, mercury, gold, tin, tungsten, boron, edible salt, carbonates, fluorite, precious stones, semi-precious stones and other natural resources.
State borders – Length: 700 kilometers from west to east, 350 kilometers from north to south. In the west and north, Tajikistan has borders with Uzbekistan (1332,9 kilometers) and Kyrgyzstan (about 987 kilometers); in the south – with Afghanistan (1332,9 kilometers and in the east – with China (494,95 kilometers).
POLITICAL SYSTEM
Tajikistan acquired sovereignty in September 1991, when the Declaration of Independence was adopted. In December 1991 Tajikistan joined the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). Since 1992 Tajikistan has been a member of the United Nations, OSCE and other international organizations.
The President of Tajikistan is the head of state and of the executive branch. The legislative power belongs to the bicameral parliament (Majlisi Oli). Members of the lower chamber – Majlisi Namoyandagon – are elected for a five-year term.
STATE FLAG
The state flag of the Republic of Tajikistan consists of three horizontal stripes – of red, white and green colors. Red color symbolizes unity of Tajik people and its friendliness towards other nations of the world. White is a colour of the main source of country’s wealth – cotton, as well as the colour of ice and snow in the mountains. Green stripe symbolizes lush and fertile valleys of Tajikistan. On the white stripe, there is a depiction of a stylized gold crown with a semicircle above it formed by seven stars.
STATE EMBLEM
The state emblem of the Republic of Tajikistan is a depiction of a stylized gold crown with a semicircle of seven stars above it, aglow with rays of the sun, rising above the mountains, covered with snow. Ears of wheat surround the right side and cotton branches the left. The wreath is enlaced by a tricolour ribbon; in the lower sector of the emblem, there is a book placed on a stand.
Climate – continental. January from +220C (Panj) to -610C (Lake Bulunkul), July from -80C (Lake Bulunkul) to +450C (Panj).
The geography of the Republic of Tajikistan is mountainous with heights above sea level varying between 300 and 7495 meters. Mountains belonging to the highest ranges of Central Asia make up 93% of the total area of the country. There is the Farghona valley in the north, while in the northwest and the central parts there are the Turkmenian, Zarafshon, Hisor and Oloy mountain ranges. The southeast boasts the impressive Pomir range (its highest mountain, the Somoni’s Peak, with an altitude of 7495 meters, is one of the highest summits of the world); while the southwest has the Vakhsh, Hisor and other valleys.
The highest mountains
Height above sea level, meters
I.Somoni’s Peak 7495
Abuali Ibn Sino’s Peak 7134
Korjenevskaya’s Peak 6974
Moscow’s Peak 6785
K.Marx’s Peak 6726
Garmo’s Peak 6595
Soviet Officer’s
Peak 6233
Engel’s Peak 6510
Vudor’s Peak 6132
North Muzkol’s Peak 6128
Mayakovskiy’s Peak 6096
Pakhor’s Peak 6083
The Republic of Tajikistan has an abundance of lake’s and rivers. There are about 947 rivers longer than 10 kilometers with a total length of more than 28500 kilometers. The rivers account for 60% of all hydro-resources of central Asia.
The longest rivers (length, km through the territory of Tajikistan)
Panj 921
Amu-darya 65
Sir-darya 185
Zerafshan 306
Bartang – Murghab 491
Vakhsh 524
Kofarnihon 387
Gund 296
Tajikistan’s high mountains accommodate great supplies of ice and snow. The line of perpetual snow is situated at height between 3500 and 3600 meters in the west and rises up to 5800 meters in the east. The total area of the glaciers in Tajikistan covers more than 8476 square kilometers. There are over the thousand registered glaciers with a length of more than 1.5 kilometers. Sixteen glaciers (such as Fedchenko and Grumm-Grzymailo glaciers) have length of more than 16 kilometers.
Main glaciers
Square, km2 Capacity, km³
Fedchenko 156,0 93,6
Garmo 114,6 —
Vitkovskiy 50,2 6,882
Academy of sciences
of the USSR 48,0 5,242
Nalivkin 45,2 8,588
Bivachiy 37,0 8,05
Grumm-Grzhimailo 37,0 19,84
Tajikistan also abounds in lakes. There are some 1300 lakes with a total surface area of 705 km2. Karakul, Sarez and Yashikul are the largest expanses to have been created naturally. The lakes are mainly located at height of 3500 meters.
Largest lakes (surface area, km2)
Karakul 380,0
Sarez 79,64
Zorkul 38,9
Yashikul 38,0
Shorkul 16,3
Largest reservoirs Surface area, km2 Capacity,mln.m3
Kairokum 520,0 4160
Norak 106,0 10500
Tajikistan’s soil, and its flora and fauna are determined by the alpine environment. The flora abounds in wild fruit-bearing trees and in numerous species of plants, which are widely used by the population
Animals are also abundant. Tajikistan boasts some 80 species of mammals, more than 365 kinds of birds, 49 kinds of reptiles, 40 kinds of fish, 10 thousands of various insects. One can observe such predators as snow leopards, lynx, bears, hyenas, otters, wolves, foxes and martens, as well as deer and rock-goats.
At present, there are 4 natural reserves (“Tigrovaya balka”, “Romit”, “Dashti Jum”, “Zorkul”), 13 sanctuaries and 2 national parks in Tajikistan. The total protected are makes 21% of the total territory of the republic.
Agricultural capacities of Tajikistan
Arable lands – 864,4 thousands ha.
Irrigated lands – 592,3 thousands ha.
Total sown areas – 900,2 thousands ha.
Including grain legumes – 401,9 thousands ha.
Total industrial crops – 294 thousands ha.
Including cotton-plant – 262,9 thousands ha.
Potato plant – 27,9 thousands ha.
Vegetables – 35,8 thousands ha
Natural Resources
Tajikistan’s natural resources are very diverse. Currently, more than 400 deposits have been identified, about 100 of which are being exploited. Some 40 kinds of mineral raw materials are being extracted, such as fossil minerals (about 10), ores and non-metallic resources (about 90).
Tajikistan has the largest coal reserves in Central Asia. The estimated total geological coal reserves amount to some four billion tons. Eighty percent is coking coal. Deposits have been discovered for many rare and precious metals such as zinc, lead, bismuth, molybdenum, tungsten, gold, silver, antimony, mercury and fluorite, as well as gas and petroleum, among others. Tajikistan has plenty of unique healing springs and sources of mineral water.
Major macroeconomic indicators of Tajikistan 2021
The country’s economic growth in 2021 is the highest in the last 17 years.
International financial institutions also rated the economic development of Tajikistan in 2021 as the highest in the region.
The growth rate of the economy is due to the increase in investments in fixed assets by 23.3%, industrial production by 22%, passenger traffic by 12.6%, domestic trade turnover by 13%, agriculture by 6.6%, transportation by 2.7%, paid services by 7,9% and foreign trade turnover by 39.5%, including exports by 52.8%.
In 2021, the inflation rate was 8 percent, which is 1.4 percentage points lower than the same period in 2020 (9.4 percent). Inflation in the country has been formed due to a 7.3% increase in food prices, 7.5% increase in non-food prices and 11.3% increase in tariffs for paid services.
Growth of industry has been ensured by 16.3% increase in production of processing industry, 1.5 times increase in mining industry, 15.2% increase in electricity, gas, steam and air purification supply and 9.2% increase in water supply, purification, processing waste and secondary processing.
Electricity production in the country in 2021 reached 20,623.8 million kWh. and was ensured at the volume of 853.3 million kWh or by 4.3 percent more compared to 2020.
In 2021, the volume of agricultural production reached 39.8 billion somoni, which is 6.6 percent more than in 2020, including 5.9 percent in crop production and 8.4 percent in livestock.
As of January 1, 2022, 78 projects are being implemented (39 grant projects, 7 loan projects and 32 projects in mixed loan-grant financing), the total amount of which is 42 billion somoni ($3.7 billion).
Within the framework of these projects from the start till January 1, 2022 15.4 billion somoni ($1.3 billion) were disbursed.
The disbursement in 2021 is estimated at 5.4 billion somoni ($481.2 million), which is 96 percent of the total financial plan for the reporting period.
In 2021, the inflow of foreign capital in to the country amounted to $718.3 million, which is $289.9 million or 1.7 times more compared to the same period of the previous year.
The total foreign investments consists of $342.2 million direct investments and $376 million other types of capital investments.
The inflow of direct investments in 2021 compared to the same period in 2020 amounted to $179.7 million, which is 2.1 times more, and other investments $110.6 million, which is more by 42%.
Direct investments were mainly directed to the mining sector 56.9%, manufacturing 9.9%, construction 2.1% and other sectors 31.1%.
According to statistics, the volume of investments in fixed assets in 2021 reached 14757.2 million somoni, which is 23.3% more compared to the same period of 2020.
The volume of paid services in all spheres in 2021 will reach 15111.8 million somoni, which 7.9 percent more compared to the previous year.
Out of the total volume, paid services provided to the population amounted to 77.6% or 11721.2 million somoni, which is 1.4% more than in 2021.
In 2021, 82 million tons of cargo were transported by all modes of transport, which is 2.7% more than in the same period of the last year.
At the same time, the number of passengers transported amounted to 737.1 million passenger, which 12.6% more compared to the same period of the previous year.
According to statistics, the foreign trade amounted to $6359.1 million, which is considered the highest indicator in the history of independence, as an increase of 39.5% or $1801.3 million was recorded compared to the same period last year.
In 2021, exports reached $2149.6 million, and imports to $4209.5 million, which is correspondingly higher compared to 2020, when exports amounted to $742.7 million or 52.8% and imports amounted to $1058.6 million or 33.6 percent.
The main trade partners of the Republic of Tajikistan in 2021 were the Russian Federation, Kazakhstan, Switzerland, China, Uzbekistan, Turkey, India and Iran, Germany, Belgium, Japan, Sweden and other countries.
TOURISM DEVELOPMENT IN TAJIKISTAN
The rich history and cultural heritage, unique nature and heavenly places of Tajikistan are a stable basis for the development of tourism, which is considered one of the most reliable sources of development of the national economy. In this regard, tourism has made a significant contribution to economic and social development as a proven means of attracting domestic and foreign investment, creating new jobs, a source of income and enriching the state budget.
Taking into account these factors and in order to improve the socio-economic situation in the country’s regions, provide the population with productive employment and increase the level of economic activity of the population on the initiative of the Founder of Peace and National Unity – Leader of the Nation, President of the Republic of Tajikistan H.E. Mr. Emomali Rahmon the Government announced 2018 as “Year of Tourism Development and Folk Crafts” and 2019-2021 as “Years of Rural Development, Tourism and Folk Crafts”.
Tajikistan’s membership in the World Tourism Organization, the accession of our capital Dushanbe to the World Federation of Tourist Cities, the declaration of Dushanbe as the tourist capital of the Economic Cooperation Organization for 2020-2021, the inscription of the historical site “Sarazm” and “National Park” of Tajikistan in the UNESCO World Heritage List, as well as “Chakan-embroidery art of the Republic of Tajikistan”, “Navruz holiday”, “Oshi palov”, “Music of Shashmaqom” and “Falak” to the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage, being the proof of this, have facilitated the promotion of the positive tourist image of Tajikistan around the world.
To ensure the attractiveness of the sector for domestic and foreign investors, the Government of the country has established a number of incentives, and at the initial stage created the economic and legal framework for the improvement of tourist sites and the creation of the necessary infrastructure. According to the adopted documents, during the first five years of operation, tourism companies are exempted from income tax as well as for import of equipment and construction materials for the construction of tourist infrastructure from value added tax and customs duties, whereas the amount of customs duties for the import of new cars for tourism purposes has been reduced by 50 percent.
Granting of tax and customs benefits will further increase the interest of entrepreneurs, and only on the basis of these benefits today more than 30 tourist infrastructure projects are being implemented in the field of construction of tourist complexes, parks, cable cars, hotels and resorts and other tourist facilities.
In order to further improve the investment climate and encourage foreign investments, multi-entry five-year visas are issued to entrepreneurs who invest more than $ 1 million in the Tajik economy, and to facilitate the movement of Tajikistan-born compatriots residing abroad multi-entry three-year visas are delivered to them.
The introduction of electronic visa and unilateral visa-free regime with 52 countries, the implementation of a simplified visa regime with 126 countries, as well as the abolition of internal registration of tourists will allow tourists and other foreign citizens to travel abroad without applying to Tajik consulates but through www.evisa.tj to obtain an electronic visa and travel to our country.
According to international assessments, Tajikistan’s e-visa system has been included in the top five visa issuance systems and ranked fourth.
In Tajikistan, the contribution of law enforcement agencies in ensuring the safety of domestic and foreign tourists is significant, and the provision of safe recreation and tourism for tourists is always in the focus of special attention. Since 2018, a tourist police department has been operating under the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Tajikistan. There is a direct cooperation and communication between this department and tourism companies, which contributes to meeting the needs of tourists.
Currently, more than 239 tourism companies, 182 hotels, 29 hostels and motels, 49 sanatoriums, 8 health centers and clinics, 7 rest homes, 1 boarding house, 1 camping site and 4 tourist and recreation bases are operating in the market of tourist services of Tajikistan. Totally, there are 288 tourist facilities.
Dushanbe has attracted the attention of many tourists with its history, nature and cultural heritage. Attracting foreign investment in the construction of five-star hotels, medical facilities, cultural and recreational parks, modern residential and commercial buildings, teahouses decorated with national motifs, magnificent palaces built in modern ways, libraries and museums which are unique in Central Asia, are the priority areas of tourism development in Dushanbe.
The city of Dushanbe, as the main gateway for receiving tourists and hundreds of thousands of foreign visitors, annually turns its venues into a place of rest and relaxation for tourists heading to beautiful places of Badakhshan, Khatlon, Zeravshan, Romit and Varzob.
One of the tallest flags in the world with a height of 165 meters was erected in Dushanbe and recorded in the Guinness Book of Records, and today it has become one of the recreation and tourist sites of residents and guests of the capital.
Along with this, the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region is one of the most attractive tourist destinations and is famous for its beautiful rivers and lakes, mountains and unique landscapes. The availability of historical and medical sites, such as Lake Sarez, Garmchashma, Avj, Yamchun, Jelondeh, Bibi Fatimai Zuhro, the highest mountain ranges in the world and the glaciers of the Pamirs contribute to the development of tourism in the region.
In order to expand the material base for the stay of foreign tourists, along with modern hotels in the region, more than 50 small hotels, such as “Homestay” and “Guest House” have been established. Small hotels, established on the basis of housing of local residents, along with fulfilling their function of accommodation, allow foreign tourists to become familiar with the national culture and traditions.
Every year many tourists and mountaineers visit the peaks of Ismoili Somoni, Istiqloliyat, Korzhenevsky, Avicenna, Glaciers Fedchenko, Kherson, lakes – Karakul, Sarez, Yashilkul, Burunkul, healing springs Jelondeh, Garmchashma, Avj, Bibi Fatimai Zahro, Modiyon, National Park of Tajikistan, “Zorkul” Nature Reserve, Pamir Botanical Garden. Also, tourists visit the historical and cultural sites of the region, including the castles of Kahkaha, Yamchun, Karon, Vamar, mausoleums and museums, and get familiar with the ancient culture and traditions of the local people.
One of the most attractive tourist destinations in Tajikistan is the northern part of Sughd region, which is famous for its beautiful rivers and lakes, mountains and unique sights. The development of tourism in the region is due to the existence of historical sites, such as Sarazm, which dates back more than 5500 years, ancient Panjakent, the birthplace of Tajik and Persian classical literature, Ustod Abuabdullo Rudaki in Panjrud village, Fan and Archamaydon mountains, fabulous lakes, such as Haftkul and others.
Zerafshan valley fascinates lovers of history, culture and nature with its unique monuments, such as ancient Sarazm and ancient Panjakent and interesting views of the Fan mountains and lakes Marghuzor, Aloviddin, Kuli Kalon and Iskandarkul.
The study of tourism resources shows that the region has a great potential for the development of health tourism. Sanatoriums “Bahoriston”, “Shifo”, “Sohil”, “Zumrad”, “Havotogh” and “Avis-City” are popular among domestic and foreign tourists.
Khatlon with its ancient monuments, history and mysteries of its ancestors, beautiful nature, magic and vast valleys, medicinal plants and clear springs, fruits and pleasant weather have captivated the hearts of tourists.
In almost all districts, nature trips and visits to historical religious sites have become a tradition in the spring. Particularly, the mausoleum of “Mir Said Ali Hamadoni” in Kulob city, “Hulbuk Fortress” in Vose district, “Khoja Mashhad” mausoleum and “Chiluchorchashma” site in Shahritus district, “Zaynalobuddin” mausoleum in Dusti district, “Hazrati Sulton” mausoleum in Khovaling district, “Sarikhosor” waterfall site in Baljuvon district, “Childukhtaron” waterfall site in Muminobod district and dozens of other sites are attracting a large number of domestic and foreign tourists.
At present, there are 795 historical-cultural, archeological monuments, 36 museums, 37 resorts and sanatoriums, and 33 cultural and recreation parks in the territory of the region, which are visited by many tourists every year.
One of the most popular tourist destinations in the Gissar (Hisor) Valley, which is visited by a large number of visitors every year, is the Historical and Ethnographic Reserve “Gissar Fortress”. The reserve is an open-air museum of unique historical, archeological and architectural value.
Varzob district is one of the closest districts to Dushanbe, which has rich resources for tourism development and a well-developed infrastructure. The district has been declared a recreation, medical, sanatorium and tourism zone by the decision of the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan. There are more than 920 recreation areas registered in the district, of which 65 are public and seasonal recreation areas, and the activities of several important tourist facilities are regular, such as recreation areas “Kokhi Malika”, “Varzob Palace”, “Gulobod”, “Guli mayda” and “Safed-dara” ski and tourist complex. These regions have all modern conditions for receiving domestic and foreign tourists.
Agro-tourism is also developing in Tajikistan and is still considered a new and modern form of tourism. Interest in this type of tourism has been steadily growing. Because ecologically pure fruits of Tajikistan, including grapes, peaches, apricots, cherries, apples, pears and their collection directly in the gardens, fresh vegetables, melons, such as melons and watermelons, dried fruits, the most delicious honey, fruit and vegetable juices and other environmentally friendly products are the basis for the development of agricultural tourism or agro-tourism.
One of the main attractions of gastronomic tourism in Tajikistan is the Navruz dishes, including sumanak and haftsin, haftshin foodstuffs, which are prepared on the occasion of the International Day of Navruz. Navruz is presented as a tourism brand.
In the Republic of Tajikistan, Navruz, Mehrgon, Sada, Tirgon, honey, apple, pumpkin and other holidays are being promoted as a tourist brand in order to attract more tourists.
Surveys on the assessment of Tajikistan as a tourist destination by reputable international organizations and the world media.
Tajikistan has become an attractive destination for travelers around the world, and with the image of a safe and peaceful country in the region since independence has acquired the best opportunity for tourism development, thus securing one of the most notable rankings according to reputable international organizations and the world’s news networks:
In the framework of the World Tourism Exhibition Berlin – 2018, the awarding ceremony of “100 best global leaders in the protection of national culture, traditions and the involvement of people in tourism in 2018” was held. The mountainous region of Badakhshan in Tajikistan was placed in the top 100 countries, particularly gaining the first rank in the Asia-Pacific region.
According to the results of 2017, the analytical agency “TourStat” of Russia has developed a ranking of foreign tourist destinations and identified the most popular foreign destinations for Russian tourists in 2017. The Republic of Tajikistan is included in the list of 50 most popular foreign countries for Russian tourists TOP-50.
According to a survey conducted by the Russian analytical agency “TourStat”, the capital of Tajikistan, Dushanbe, has been included in the list of 10 cities of the Commonwealth of Independent States for tourism in spring and autumn.
According to the results of 2018, Tajikistan ranked first in the ranking of the growth of tourism, according to the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).
Dushanbe has been selected by the Economic Cooperation Organization as the “Tourism Capital of the Economic Cooperation Organization for 2020-2021”.
In 2019, according to a survey conducted by the Information Agency “TourStat”, the capital of Tajikistan – Dushanbe was included in the top ten cities of the Commonwealth of Independent States for autumn travel.
According to the results of 2018, one of the media outlets of the global tourism brand “AFAR” ranked Tajikistan in the first place in terms of growth in the number of tourists (an increase of 190.1%).
The American think tank Gallup has ranked Tajikistan second on the list of the safest countries in the world, according to a survey of citizens of 142 countries.
The popular British newspaper “The Telegraph” in its issue of August 16, 2019, published an article “The Lost City. Archaeologists have discovered “Machu Picchu” in Tajikistan”. This article discusses the excavations of the ancient city of Karon in Tajikistan, which was discovered by Tajik archaeologists a few years ago.
Kokhi Navruz of the capital of Tajikistan has been presented as a modern miracle and has been recognized as one of the 8 wonders of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
In 2019, foreign media, including the well-known state media of the Russian Federation – TASS, Uzbekistan – “UzA”, Kyrgyzstan – “Kabar” will cover the development of tourism in Tajikistan, unique nature, clear waters, beautiful landscapes, historical and cultural sites. Tajikistan is considered to be a country with great tourism potential in the scene of the international tourism market.
Tajikistan’s tourism industry has won the world’s most prestigious business award – “The BIZZ Business Excellence Award 2019”.
According to a survey conducted by the authoritative international magazine “Lonely Planet”, Tajikistan ranks first among the 10 best regions for travel and travel on the Silk Road in Central Asia.
The British travel magazine “Wanderlust” presented and recommended for tourists to visit the Fedchenko, Garmchashma, Iskandarkul, Lake Sarez, Vakhon, Karakul and Chapdara glaciers as 7 natural wonders in 2020.
The Pacific Tourism Association (PATWA), recognized as one of the world’s leading organizations in the field of tourism, in March 2020 declared the Republic of Tajikistan a stable and inviolable country for tourism.
Tajikistan Awarded the Prize for Asia’s Most Interesting Hiking Destination by Top 10 of Asia on February 28, 2023 in Malaysia.