Full country name: Republic of Tajikistan

Population: 6,440,732

People: 64.9% Tajik, 25% Uzbek, 3.5% Russian (declining because of emigration)

Languages: Tajik, Russian

Religion: 80% Sunni Muslim, 5% Shi'a Muslim

Government: Republic

Government type: Republic

Capital: Dushanbe

Independence: 9 September 1991 (from Soviet Union)

Size: Approximately 143,100 square kilometers.

Topography: Mainly mountainous, with lower elevations in northwest, southwest, and Fergana Valley in far northern zone. Highest elevations in southeast, in Pamir-Alay system; numerous glaciers in mountains. Dense river network creates valleys through mountain chains. Lakes primarily in Pamir region to the east.

Climate: Mainly continental, with drastic changes according to elevation. Arid in subtropical southwest lowlands, which have highest temperatures; lowest temperatures at highest altitudes. Highest precipitation near Fedchenko Glacier, lowest in eastern Pamirs.

GDP - real growth rate: 5.3% (2002 est.)

GDP per head: US$990

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 46% (2002)

Labor force: 1.9 million (1996)

Labor force - by occupation: agriculture and forestry 50%, industry 20%, services 30% (1997 est.)

Unemployment rate: 5.7% includes only officially registered unemployed (December 1998)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 1.51% , hydro: 98.49%

Major industries: Aluminum, zinc, lead, chemicals and fertilizers, cement, vegetable oil, metal-cutting machine tools, refrigerators and freezers, cotton, grain, fruits, grapes, vegetables, cattle, sheep, goats

Major trading partners: CIS, the Netherlands, Switzerland, UK