Background: Tajikistan

Independence: September 9, 1991 (from Soviet Union);

Adjacent Countries: Afghanistan (south), China (east), Kyrgyzstan (north), Uzbekistan (west);
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Government: Republic; Capital: Dushanbe
Chief of State: President Emomali RAHMONOV (since 6 November 1994)
Head of Gov't: Prime Minister Oqil OQILOV (since 20 January 1999)

Population (July 2001 est.):
6,578,681

Infant mortality rate (2001 est.):
116.09 deaths/1,000 live births

Life expectancy at birth (2001 est.):
Total Population: 64.18 years
Male: 61.09 years
Female: 67.42 years

Ethnic groups:
Tajik - 64.9%
Uzbek - 25%
Russian - 3.5% (declining because of emigration)
other - 6.6%

Religions:
Sunni Muslim - 80%
Shi'a Muslim - 5%

Languages:
Tajik (official), Russian widely used in government and business

Literacy: (definition: age 15 and over can read and write)(1989 est.)
Total Population: 98%
Male: 99%
Female: 97%