Tajikistan is a small Central Asian republic dominated by the Pamir mountain range — the 'Roof of the World' — sharing borders with Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and China.
Geography & landscape
Tajikistan sits in Central Asia, in the northern hemisphere of Asia. With an area of approximately 143,100 km², it is a mid-sized country, set in the northern hemisphere and exposed to the temperate climate band typical of its latitude. Its capital, Dushanbe, lies near coordinates 39°, 71°.
The country shares the cultural and geographic context of Asia, with neighbouring states and trade routes shaped by its position in the wider Central Asia region. Topography, watersheds and coastline (where present) define the practical realities of agriculture, settlement and transport across Tajikistan.
People & society
The population of Tajikistan is around 10M. Communities, dialects and customs vary by region, and the country’s sense of identity is shaped by its history, its borders and the everyday rhythms of its towns and cities.
The official language is Tajik, used in government, education and most public life. Regional dialects, minority languages and immigrant communities add further linguistic texture.
Government & politics
Tajikistan is structured as a presidential republic. Political authority is exercised through institutions based primarily in Dushanbe, with the head of state and head of government performing constitutional roles defined by the country’s legal framework. Domestic policy, foreign relations and the administration of public services all flow from this constitutional core.
Economy & currency
The official currency of Tajikistan is the Tajikistani Somoni (TJS). Monetary policy, banking, taxation and trade are managed nationally, often in coordination with regional and international institutions. Major economic activity tends to cluster around Dushanbe and other principal urban centres, with secondary economies built on the country’s natural resources, manufacturing capacity and service industries.
Culture & everyday life
The cultural footprint of Tajikistan shows up in cuisine, music, sport, religious life, festivals and design. National holidays mark the country’s historical pivots; family meals, café culture and street life follow patterns rooted in geography and tradition. International audiences usually meet Tajikistan through its sport, its music, its food, or the global diaspora that carries those things abroad.
Travel essentials
The capital, Dushanbe, is the natural starting point for first-time visitors. International dialling uses the country code +992, and clocks are set to the TJT (UTC+5) time zone. ISO standards identify Tajikistan as TJ (alpha-2) and TJK (alpha-3) — useful when booking flights, decoding number plates, or matching customs paperwork. The flag, 🇹🇯, appears at every border post and on every passport.
By the numbers
Sort or filter the table below to compare key metrics at a glance.
| Metric | Value | Unit / Note |
|---|---|---|
| Capital city | Dushanbe | — |
| Continent | Asia | — |
| Sub-region | Central Asia | — |
| Population | 10M | people |
| Area | 143,100 | km² |
| Currency | Tajikistani Somoni (TJS) | — |
| Calling code | +992 | international dialling |
| Time zone | TJT (UTC+5) | standard time |
| Government type | Presidential republic | — |
| ISO 3166 alpha-2 | TJ | 2-letter code |
| ISO 3166 alpha-3 | TJK | 3-letter code |
| Latitude | 39 | degrees |
| Longitude | 71 | degrees |
Did you know?
More than 90% of Tajikistan's land is mountainous, with peaks rising above 7,000 metres in the Pamirs.
