Tajikistan is a country of sunny and blossoming valleys, high mountains, turbulent rivers, age-old glaciers and picturesque lakes. Cloudless alps and reserved trails attract alpinists and tourists from all over the world. Malachite greens of Temur Dara canyon, rainbow chain of seven "sisters" Marguzor lakes, turqouise smooth of Aloudin lakes tempts with its primeval beauty.
Iskanderkul lake is one of the most picturesque lakes in Tajikistan. In Pamir mountains, at the height of 3263 meters above-sea level there is the youngest and unique Sarez lake formed at the beginning of century as a consequence of earthquake that occured in the Center of Badakhshan.
Dushanbe is the capital of Tajikistan with population of more than 600 thousand people. It is located in the scenic and fertile Gissar valley, at the height of 750-930 meters above-sea level. It is one of the high-mountain capitals of the world and one of the largest cultural centers in Asia. Khudjand is the second city and administrative center located in the northern part of the country.
Tajikistan is situated in the south-west part of Central Asia. It boarders Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzia in the west and north, Afganistan - in the south and China - in the east, in the high-mountain part. Mountains that belong to the mountain system of Pamir and Tyan-Shan with absolute height which ranges from 300 to 7,495 meters, occupy 90% of the territory of Tajikistan. Amudarya, Sirdarya (in the north), Zeravshan (Amudarya inflow) and also Vakhsh and Pyandj are the largest rivers. More than 200 mineral springs of valuable properties such as Shaambari, Khodja-Obi-Garm, Garm-Chashma and others are registered in the territory of Republic.
The Government of Tajikistan headed by President, is high executive body of the Republic. Nowadays, Tajikistan is independent democracy that was recognized by 117 countries of the world. Country is competent member of UN and of number of another international organizations. On the 9th of September, in 2007, Repubulic of Tajikistan celebrated its 16th anniversary of independence and sovereignty.
Tourism is the most popular kind of holiday activity in our country. The material resources for tourism in Tajikistan is developing and strengthening. Nowadays, the Republican Council on tourism and excursions combines 25 lower tourist excursion organizations and companies.
Ancient cities such as Pedjikent, Khudjand, Ura-Tube are located within the territory of modern Tajikistan. Pedjikent is the most developed city in the ancient Central Asia. The architectural monuments of Sugd civilization are represented by the real masterpieces. Architectural composition of palaces and temples of Pedjikent is unique and is not analogues with any constructions either in Central Asia or in another East Countries.
Pamir is empire of alpinists and snow leopard. Deep and wide valleys, numerouos tablelands with canyons of turbulent mountain rivers are located among the high mountain peaks with the height of to 7000 meters and higher.
People in Pamir are very hospitable and in spite of their poor life, they will always invite tourists to the house and offer sheepskin blanket and hot "Shir Chai" cooked with goat's milk, salt and butter. Annually, more than 30 thousand tourists visit the country. Along with popular mountaineering, ecotourism is actively developing in Tajikistan.
The national cuisine of Tajik people in some respects is similar to the cuisine of other Central Asian nations who used to contact with each other through the roads of the Great Silk Road. However, the national traditions and peculiarities of cooking methods impart certain zest to Tajik dishes.
At meal-times the Tajiks like to sit on special exaltation called sufa around a low little table called dastarkhan. Meal is served in ceramic and wooden crockery: in cups called piala, in deep plates called kasa, or on round and oval dishes or trays.
A small party for friends or a feast organized for guests begins with indispensable piala of hot green tea. Sweets, fruits and flat bread are served on separate trays. The Tajiks have special, respectful attitude towards bread: it cannot be dropped on the ground or on the floor; bread should never be put on dastarkhan with its bottom side up; it should be cautiously broken and under no circumstances be cut by a knife. Especially tasty is flat bread - katlama made from a puff pastry, greased with fat, twisted as a roll and slightly rolled out and then fried in oil.
After tea the guests are offered soup with rice called shavlya or with peas called shurbo. The most favourite meat dishes in Tajik cuisine are so called kabob - sausages made from chopped marinaded meat and fried on skewers over the burning coals, pilav made from mutton with rice, and so called shekhlet - cabbage leaves stuffed with meat. Indispensable addition to the Tajik table is flaky meat patties called sambusa, tukhum-barak and pilita - sweet dish made from dough.
The traveller in mountainous areas of Tajikistan will always be sheltered for the night in one of hospitable homes where he will be offered hot tea shirchoy - black tea filled with goat's milk, salt and oil. And as a main meal, more often, you will be treated to kaurdak made from meat of mountain partridge or a quail. Hospitality and respect to a guest has always been the national feature of Tajik people. Once coming here you will be looking forward to returning to this wonderful land with its unique nature and beauty again and again.
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