Tajikistan has very diverse natural resources.  Some of these resources are: gold, silver, copper, ruby, pearls, topaz, amethyst, semi-precious stones, piezooptic raw materials, tin, antimony, uranium, bismuth, iron, manganese, table salt, and magnesium. These rare metals have immense export potential. The Republic also has unique and curative spring and mineral water. Furthermore, there are deposits of coal, gas, oil, marble, and construction materials. Tajikistan has many famous deposits such as: the gold fields of Pendjikent and Shugnan, the silver deposits of Bolshoy Kanimansur, the antimony deposits of Anzob, and the marble deposits in Vanch, Pendjikent, Darvoz, and Shahristan.

The rivers and lakes with systematic glacial feeding are one the main riches of the Republic; consequently, it has great hydropower potential.  The total length of Tajikistan’s 947 rivers exceeds 28,5 thousand km., and each river has a length of more than 10 km. More than 60% of Central Asian water resources come from these rivers.  Tajikistan’s glaciers exceed an area of 8,476 thousand sq. km., and the biggest glacier is Fedchenko. The main rivers are the: Pyandj, Syr-Dar’ya, Vakhsh, Zarafshon, and large lakes are the: Sarez and Karakul.  According to the assessment by the world atlas of hydropower engineering,” Hydropower & Dams” (1997), Tajikistan takes first place in the world on specific indicators of water resources, and it takes eighth place in the world on absolute indicators of water resources (300 billion K.W.H. per year). Nurekskaya is the largest hydro station not only in Tajikistan but also in Central Asia.  With a 2,700 megawatt capacity, it is among the 30 most powerful hydro stations in the world. Nurek is the world’s tallest hydro-station at 300 meters. The Rogunskaya and Sangtudinskaya hydro stations are being built on the Vakhsh River besides the Nurekskaya hydropower station.

Tajikistan is located in the most northern portion of the subtropical zone of the globe. The climate is characterized by large daily and seasonal air temperature fluctuations, intensive sun radiation, dryness of air, and low cloudiness. Relief complexity and a variety of heights cause large climatic differences in some regions. Consequently, the climate in mountainous regions varies from warm to cold depending on the height of the mountain. In valleys and submontane plains the average temperature in July ranges from +23 to +30 degrees Celsius, and in January it varies from –1 to +3 degrees Celsius. Annual precipitation ranges from 150 – 300 millimeters.

Researches and tourists have always been attracted to the rich history of Tajikistan. Archaeological evidence indicates the presence of human tracks in modern Tajikistan as early as 100 thousand years ago during the Stone Age. During the middle of the first millennium B.C. the first states, Bactria, Soghd and Khorezm, were formed.  Their main economic activities were agriculture, cattle breeding, and handicrafts. In the 6th century B.C. Central Asia became a part of Akhemenid’s state, and in the 4th century B.C. Alexander the Great conquered the land.  Later, the territory became a part of the Greek-Bactrian and Parthian states, and in the 8th century the area that is now modern Tajikistan as well as Central Asia became part of an Arab caliphate.

At the end of the 9th and 10th centuries the Tajik nation adopted the state system for the first time. The Samanids created an independent state in Central Asia with a capital in Bukhara. Under the Samanids there was rapid development of handicraft, trade, and culture, and the Tajik nation’s formation was completed. Many prominent scientists and thinkers such as Abuali ibn Sino, Rudaki (the founder of Tajik poetry), and the great poet Firdavsi were living and working in Central Asia during this period.  However, the Samanid’s state fell at the end of 10th century under the attacks of nomadic tribes who were united under the Karakhanid’s dynasty.

Despite persistent resistance, Mongols conquered Central Asia at the beginning of the 13th century.  The attack brought great devastation to the country, and most of the population was destructed. During the 14th and 15th centuries Central Asia became a part of the Timur state, however by the 16th century Tajikistan as well as other regions of Central Asia became part of Bukhara Khanate.
In the second half of the 19th century the Central Asian Khanates were added to Russia.  After the formation of the USSR, as a result of the national and territorial demarcation of Central Asia, the Tajik Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic (ASSR) was formed as part of the Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic in 1924. In October of 1929, the Tajik Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic (ASSR) was transformed into the Tajik Soviet Socialist Republic (SSR). Most economic development occurred during the 1950s and 1960s. During this period the essentials of modern industry, agriculture, and industrial and social infrastructure were put in place.  

In September 1991 Tajikistan gained its state independence.

Dushanbe is one of the most developed economic and cultural centers of Central Asia. The city is 124,6 square km. and is located in the Gissar Valley 750 to 930 meters above sea level.   The Varzob River cuts Dushanbe in half from north to south. The Varzob River merges with the Luchob River and forms the Dushanbinka River. Dushanbe’s average air temperature in January is +1 degree Celsius and in July is + 28 degrees Celsius.

The population of Tajikistan was 7,280 mln in November of 2006 and 6,2803 mln in 2005.   26,5% of the population was urban and 73,5% was rural.  646,4 thousand people were living in the capital city, Dushanbe, 2,463 mln. were living in Khatlon oblast, 2,609 mln. were living in Soghd oblast, 1,531 mln. were living in the regions of the Republican Subordination, and 218,4 thousand were living in Gorno-Badakhshanskaya Autonomous Oblast.  The average population density was 48,4 people per 1 square km., and there were representatives from 120 nations. The national population structure is composed of 80% Tajiks, 15,3 %, Uzbeks, 1,1 %, Russian, and 3,6 %other nationalities. The country uses the state language Tajik, Russian, and Uzbek.  However, English has been gaining popularity during the last few years due to the expansion of international organizations.

The Republic’s administrative structure consists of the capital city Dushanbe, Gorno-Badakhshanskaya Autonomous oblast (GBAO), Soghd and Khatlon oblasts, and Regions of Republican Subordination (RRS). In general, Tajikistan has 62 regions, 23 towns, 54 villages and 367 rural djamoats.  

According to the the Republic of Tajikistan’s Constitution, the supreme legislative and representative body of country is Parliament, Madjlisi Oli.  It consists of an upper chamber, Madjlisi Milli and lower chamber, Madjlisi Namoyandagon. Tajikistan’s supreme executive body is its government, and it is led by the President of the country who is elected for 7 years by popular vote.