Tajikistan is an old and very beautiful country in Asia. It is known for its tourist centers and also wonderful culture. There is a lot of general knowledge about Tajikistan, but there are untold stories about Tajikistan that will surprise you. Do you know that about 90% of Tajikistan is covered in mountains?
We will be uncovering some historic, cultural, food, and religious facts, and more in the article. If you want to visit Tajikistan or just want to know more about that beautiful country, this article will surely be an eye-opener for you.
1. Fedchenko Glacier located in Tajikistan is the longest glacier outside Earth’s Polar Regions and measures up to 47 miles.
2. The Pamirs located in the center of east Tajikistan are part of the ‘roofs of the world’.
3. The capital of Tajikistan, Dushanbe means Monday in the Persian language.
4. Nurek Dam, Tajikistan is the tallest embankment dam and the 2nd tallest dam in the world and measures about 984ft.
5. The deadliest earthquake in Tajikistan occurred in Qaratog in the year 1907which claimed the lives of about 12,000 people.
6. Tajikistan was originally part of the Soviet Union from 1929 until it got its independence in 1991.
7. The Iskanderkul lake in Tajikistan is named after Alexander the Great.
8. The 7 gold stars on the flag of Tajikistan represent unity among the different social classes of the country.
9. Tajikistan means a Republic in Central Asia.
10. There are about 947 rivers in Tajikistan with Amu Darya being the largest.
11. Lake Karakul is the largest lake in Tajikistan measuring about 13,000 feet below sea level. It has sulfate salt found in the lake which makes its water taste brackish.
12. There is a tradition celebrated in Tajikistan known as Navruz where families visit their relatives, throw out old belongings, clean the house, and play field games.
13. Tajikistan was originally part of the Silk Road.
14. There are only 2 UNESCO World Heritage entries that Tajikistan can boast of in their country.
15. Tajikistan was once a part of the Mongol Empire.
16. The highest peak of Tajikistan is the Ismoil Somoni Peak which measures about 7,495 meters.
17. Tajikistan was formerly known as Tadjikistan due to a transliteration from Russia.
18. Lake Sarez was formed about 90 years ago by a strong earthquake in the Murghob River.
19. Tajikistan has a lot of medieval mosques and soviet-style buildings, monuments, and the ancient city remains.
20. The Pamir Highway is the 2nd highest-altitude international highway in the world and it measures about 4,655 meters.
21. The white part of the flag of Tajikistan represents the cotton that made them famous.
22. While under the Soviet Union, Tajikistan was known as the Tajik Soviet Socialist Republic.
23. The Rogun Dam still under construction is expected to be the highest dam in the world and may be completed in 2028.
24. Gushtigiri the national sport of Tajikistan is a traditional wrestling game for the people.
25. The largest sector of Tajikistan’s economy is agriculture, and it contributes about 22.6% of the country’s GDP.
26. In Tajikistan, beards are not allowed by the government for all men. This is in order to enhance the battle against radicalism.
27. The major electricity source of Tajikistan is hydropower followed by imported oil, gas, and coal.
28. Tajikistan boasts about 1,450 lakes, some of them measuring 4,000 meters above sea level.
29. Tajikistan is a very mountainous country with about 966 mountains.
30. Non-Tajik citizens of Tajikistan like Uzbeks, Kyrgyz, and Russians are referred to as Tajikistan.
31. The currency of Tajikistan, the Tajikistani somoni is named after the father of the Tajik nation Ismail Samani. It was put into circulation on 30th October 2000.
32. The Dushanbe Flagpole situated in front of the Palace of Nations, Dushanbe, Tajikistan is the 2nd tallest flagpole in the world and it measures about 541 feet.
33. The tap water in the streets of Tajikistan is not allowed for drinking due to the risk of rust in the water as well as typhoid.
34. In traditional Tajikistan, the unibrow is regarded as a mark of beauty. Some women who do not have it either result to herbal medicines or paint it.
35. The temperature of Tajikistan can be very severe, ranging from 0°C to 36°C.
36. One of the most famous sports of Tajikistan, Buzkashi involves scooping a dead goat and landing it in their goal.
37. Despite Qurutob being the national dish of Tajikistan, plov is their favorite dish.
38. Tajikistan is one of the world’s greatest illegal drug trafficking routes. This is because about 90% of the world’s heroin is produced in Afghanistan which lies north of Tajikistan.
39. The oldest city in Tajikistan is Penjikent which is more than 5,500 years old.
40. The former currency of Tajikistan was the ruble which had denominations of up to 10,000 rubles.
41. The capital of Tajikistan, Dunshabe was formerly known as Stalinabad.
42. Traditionally, each town in Tajikistan is divided into districts called ‘mahallas’ and they each have their own tough man called ‘alufta’ who is the best wrestler in the district.
43. Out of more than 200,000 glaciers in the world, about 8,000 are located in Tajikistan.
44. Despite the large size of Tajikistan which is about 142,600 km², it shares its borders with only 4 countries including China, Kyrgyzstan, Afghanistan, and Uzbekistan.
45. Tajikistan exports a lot of goods like electricity, cotton, aluminum, textiles, and cotton amongst others.
46. Some part of Tajikistan’s culture was adapted from Islamic Religion and Zoroastrianism.
47. The Tajikistani Somoni was replaced at a rate of 1 Somoni to 1,000 Rubles. The Somoni is also subdivided into 100 dirams.
48. In some remote regions of Tajikistan, traditions like fire jumping, fighting ‘devils’ with fire, and dancing around the fire are still practiced.
49. The Tajikistan Ruble is believed to have been subdivided into 100 tanga, but no coin nor were banknotes issued denominated in tanga.
50. Tajikistan is a very mountainous country with about 90% of it covered in mountains.
51. The tradition of Tajikistan is very old and has a lot of similarities with Iran and Afghanistan.
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