Dushanbe Travel Guide, Tajikistan

Dushanbe Overview, Tajikistan –

Location: Dushanbe, the capital city of Tajikistan, is also the largest city in Tajikistan. Dushanbe was formerly known as Dyusnhambe till 1929 and as Stalinnabad till 1961. The city is located at Gissar Valley which is 160 kilometers away from the Afghan border. The literary meaning of Dushanbe is ‘Monday’ and it seems that the city was developed at a popular Monday marketplace. Dushanbe is at an elevation of about 706 m above the sea level.

Population: As per the national census of 2008, Dushanbe has a population of about 679,400 people. According to the national census of 1989, Dushanbe population increased from just 5600 people in 1926 to 604,000. The main reason of the population increase was mainly due to the immigration of many Russians into the city. The largest groups of the population of the city are Tajiks and they consist of 39.1% of the total population. Other minority population of Dushanbe includes Russians, Tatars, Uzbeks, Ukrainians, Jews and Turks.

Economy: Dushanbe is an important industrial area of Tajikistan and the city has a high economic stability. There are many mining industries and minerals such as lead, arsenic and coal are produced. The city is also home to some of the leading textile industries of Tajikistan. Dushanbe produces silk, electrical appliances, leather goods, food, textile machinery and many other agricultural products on a large scale. The economic stability of Dushanbe is improving over the last few decades due to its increasing production.

Weather: The climate of Dushanbe is much damper compared to other Central Asian capitals. In spite of having an annual rainfall of about 500 millimeters, Dushanbe still has a hot and humid climate. The summer months of Dushanbe are dry and hot. The average temperature during the summer season is about 25 degrees Celsius. Winters are also not so cold because the cold air coming from Siberia is blocked by the mountains.

Transportation: Dushanbe has a good transportation system in and around the city. It is linked to Termez by railways and it also offers air links to Moscow and various other capitals of the Central Asian Republic. Dushanbe has efficient and reliable transportation systems provided by various government operated buses and mini buses. Moreover, many private transport companies in Dushanbe provide private taxis for its visitors.

Culture and the people: Dushanbe has some of the most important cultural centers in Tajikistan. Tajik Academy of Sciences and the Tajik State University are some of the cultural centers where a visitor can witness the rich culture of Dushanbe. The people of Dushanbe are very religious and they are known for their hospitality.

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