Dushanbe, Tajikistan

Dushanbe is the largest city in Tajikistan, where the political, economic and cultural life of the country is concentrated. Dushanbe received the status of a city only in 1925, however, archaeological research indicates that the settlement on the site of the modern city appeared in ancient times.

The word Dushanbe is translated from Tajik as "Monday", this is due to the fact that in Dushanbe, which in the XIX century was a small village, a large bazaar was organized, it was on Mondays, so the name was fixed for this city. In 1929, Dushanbe was renamed Stalinabad in honor of Stalin and bore this name for 30 years.

Today, Dushanbe is the scientific, intellectual and cultural center of the republic. There are: the Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan, 17 research institutes, 17 universities, 8 theaters, 8 museums, 3 cinemas, 4 libraries. Various cultural and educational events, forums, symposiums, exhibitions, scientific conferences are regularly held. There are a number of stadiums, swimming pools, wellness centers, casinos, restaurants in the capital. The city itself is very green with beautiful parks, lakes and interesting architecture. In 2004, the city of Dushanbe was declared a city of peace by UNESCO.

Geographical location

Dushanbe is located in Central Tajikistan, on the southern slope of the Hissar ridge, in the picturesque and fertile Hissar Valley, at an altitude of 750-840 meters above sea level.

Climate

The climate in Dushanbe is continental subtropical, with dry and hot summers and humid cool winters. The average annual air temperature in Dushanbe is 14.7 °, while the average temperature in January is -20 °C, and in July +40 °C. Tours to Tajikistan it is better to plan for March-April or September.

Demographics

Population Dushanbe has 679.4 thousand inhabitants. More than 9% of the country's residents live in the city. According to the census, the ethnic composition of the city includes: Tajiks — 83.4%, Uzbeks — 9.1%, Russians — 5.1%, others — 2.4%.

Architecture

Beautiful buildings rise in the city: The Government House, the Rohat teahouse, the building of the S. Aini Opera and Ballet Theater, with its majestic columns, the A. Firdavsi National Library. On one of the most beautiful squares named after S. Aini, the largest local history Museum of fine Arts named after Behzod is located. Another characteristic feature of the city is the monuments to the great Tajik thinkers and philosophers Firdousi, Rudaki, Avicenna, Aini. 

Industry 

Dushanbe is a developed industrial center of Tajikistan. The knitted, cotton and silk materials produced here are prepared from local raw materials. There are about 90 industrial enterprises in the city.

 

History

The first known mention of Dushanbe dates back to the XVII century. In the sources, it is called kasabai Dushanbe, which indicates its urban status. But as the numerous finds of archaeologists, ethnographers, historians made recently on the territory of modern Dushanbe show, the age of the city is much older.

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Dushanbe - Sights of Interest