 |
|
|
|
Idealo.co.uk
>
Travel-Home
>
|
|
|
|
|
Travel Information on Tajikistan
|
|
|
Tajikistan (TJ)
|
| Continent: |
Asia |
|
| Area: |
143,100 km² |
| Population: |
7,320,815 |
| Capital city: |
Dushanbe |
ISO code: |
TJ |
| National language: |
Persian-Tajik |
International dialling code: |
+992 |
| Currency: |
Somoni |
Licence plate number: |
TJ |
| Flight routes from Tajikistan: |
117 |
Flight routes to Tajikistan: |
118 |
| Popular airports: |
Dushanbe (DYU),
Khudzhand (LBD)
|
| Large cities: |
Dushanbe,
Khudzhand,
Kulob,
Uroteppa,
Konibodom,
Kofarnihon,
Tursunzoda,
Isfara,
Panjakent,
Hisor,
Boshkengash,
Dangara,
Vose',
Farkhor,
Chkalovsk
|
| Airlines based in Tajikistan: |
Tajik Air
|
|
|
|
Travelguide Tajikistan (Asia)
|
The Republic of Tajikistan is the smallest country in southeast central Asia, bordering on Kyrgyzstan, China, Afghanistan and Uzbekistan. The nation’s name is derived from the word "Tasi", the Turk word for Muslim. The Tajik’s are not Turks, but part of the Persian-Iranian peoples. The word Tajik denotes the Persian speaking peoples of central Asia.
Geography: more than 80% of the state territory consists of highland plateaus and mountains of which the almost 7,500 m (24,606 ft) high Pamir mountains in the east take up the most area. Another high mountain range is the Alai in the north on the Kyrgyz border. The foothills of this mountain range extend to Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan. The landscape came about millions of years ago due to tectonic movements that are still active; earthquakes are therefore to be expected at any point in time in Tajikistan. Only in the north does the country have access to agriculturally useful land, this is the very fertile Ferghana valley. The area is irrigated by the river Syr.
Mountains and rivers: the highest point in Tajikistan is the 7,495 m (24,589 ft) high Pik Ismoil Somoni in the Pamir mountain range. The longest river is the 2,200 km (1,367 miles) long river Syr Darja, a feeding river of Lake Aral.
Climate and best time to visit: the country is in an arid climate zone determined by extremely cold winters and very hot summers. Only in the low-lying Ferghana valley and in a few valleys in the south of the country is the climate subtropical and damp. The temperature differences in the valleys and the highlands are extreme, in the summer at times having a difference of 50° C. Rainfall is sparse even in the valleys and the vegetation tends to have a steppe type character. Nevertheless, the country does not have any water problems, as, due to the many mountains, there is water in abundance and Tajikistan therefore still owns 60% of the water resources in central Asia. The best and physically most bearable time to visit is during the transition months in the spring and autumn.
Language and communication: the official and national language is Tajik, which is closely related to Persian. Russian is spoken on an international level and used as a colloquial language by the population. Only the younger generation and employees of the tourist industry understand English. Knowledge of Russian is therefore essential when travelling in less developed areas such as the Pamir highlands.
Health and vaccinations: vaccination against hepatitis A, typhoid, diphtheria, polio and tetanus is recommended. Long clothing should be worn to provide protection against mosquitoes and other insects, and a locally purchased insect repellent should also be used. There is only a direct danger of contracting malaria in the area around the Afghanistan- Tajikistan border: on the river Darja between June and October. Please seek advice from your GP on effective anti-malaria medication. Medical care is only of a sufficient standard in the capital Dushanbe. In the mountains, medical and emergency care can be of a low standard partly due to the bad mobile phone reception. Especially in the case of a serious earthquake, organised disaster relief cannot be expected. Visitors are advised to take out comprehensive medical and travel insurance that covers repatriation costs. A first aid kit should be packed and fruit and vegetables peeled or boiled before being eaten.
Entry requirements: British nationals will need a visa to enter Tajikistan and should plan at least three weeks in advance of their planned departure date to arrange this. Visas are obtainable from the Tajik Embassy and applications must include a letter of invitation from an organisation in the country.
Some countries ask for documentary evidence of parental responsibility before permitting single parents to enter or leave the country: further information may be obtained from the Tajik embassy. More information on vaccination and entry requirements as well as current security issues is posted on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Website.
Arrival and onward journey: Air Astana and Rossiya Russian Airways currently provide flights from London to Dushanbe (DYU) on a national level, Tajikistan Airlines currently only flies to Khudzhand (LBD) from the capital. All other destinations have been discontinued due to the lack of demand and fuel shortage.
Capital city: the city of Dushanbe in the south west of the country has 650,000 inhabitants and is the capital as well as the political and cultural hub of this central Asian country. The entire intellectual elite of the country resides here as the city is home to all universities and academies. Attractions in Dushanbe include the National Museum with a large number of finds from ancient and modern history including the 14 m long Buddha of Khatlon, which was found in 1966 in excavations and is one of the biggest statues of the Buddha in central Asia. The 30 m high Somonij monument is another of Dushanbes attractions. It was built in honour of the Samanaid ruler Ismail I, who is considered the father of the nation. There is also a Friday mosque and the synagogue in the district of Rudaki.
Places of interest: Tajikistan is still not developed for tourism but provides visitors with the majestic and little explored Pamir mountain range. These mountains are ideal for mountain sports and in the long run provide a worthwhile alternative for Nepal tourists. The lakes are particularly worth visiting in the Pamir. Lake Sares only originated in 1911 as the result of an earthquake and the ensuing landslide. Lake Kara Kul, 3915 m (12,844 ft) above sea level is also interesting: due to its high altitude, the lake contains neither fish nor any other aquatic life form. A few local travel agents in the Pamir mountains offer helicopter tours to the summits. The city of Penjikent near the Uzbek border is also interesting. Worth seeing are the art frescoes that are famous even beyond the borders of Tajikistan, along with the remains of an old fortress. The lakes of Marghuzor provide visitors with a magnificent natural spectacle. The lakes glow in various hues of blue and green and change their colour depending on the time of day and light conditions.
Religion: Sunni Muslims are in the majority with 90 %. There are also a great number of orthodox Christians along with Bahá'í s, Zoroastrians and Jews.
Major Cities and accommodation: Dushanbe, Chudschand, Kulob, Qurghonteppa, Istarawschan, Konibodom and Kofarnihon.
|
|
|
Favourite Flights and Cheap Flights from and to Tajikistan / TJ
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
