FACTS

Location: Central Asia, west of China

Area (only Total) total: 143,100 sq km

Climate: midlatitude continental, hot summers, mild winters; semiarid to polar in Pamir Mountains

Terrain: Pamir and Alay Mountains dominate landscape; western Fergana Valley in north, Kofarnihon and Vakhsh Valleys in southwest

Population: 7,211,884 (July 2008 est.)

Main Language (only first): Tajik (official)

Government type: republic

Capital (Name): Dushanbe

Capital (Time Difference): UTC+5

Independence: 9 September 1991 (from Soviet Union)

National holiday: Independence Day (or National Day), 9 September (1991)