The Flag of Iran
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Notice that the Tajik flag reverses the order
of color elements compared to the Flag of Iran.
The joyful red, and the purity of white
in the middle dominate over the green, symbolizing
Islam. In this symbolism, Islam is a foundation,
but not dominant
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Uzbekistan
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This emblem designed for the 1100 year anniversary
of the beginning of the Somonid dynasty emphasizes
the scepter, symbolizing rule, the seven stars symbolizing
the Tajik contribution to world culture,and the radiating light
as the diffusion of the benefits of enlightened rule.
Notice the mountain design at the center of the "crown" of the scepter.
The right hand side lettering in English, which many Tajiks find strange,
represents the desire by the state for international recognition
of its claim to the heritage of the Somoni legacy.
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A political map, such as above, reveals borders so convoluted,
that they result in an "island" of Tajikistan
completely isolated within Kyrgyzstan
Uzbekistan also has two island enclaves entirely surrounded
within the territory of Kyrgyzstan.
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This map shows an enlarged view of the northern
region to emphasize
the role of island enclaves, which cause great difficulty
for the residents of these regions, who must cross borders
for even the simplest local trade. These borders divide water,
irrigation, drainage and power systems. They separate children
from the schools they need to attend and in manifold ways
exacerbate the potential for ethnic conflict.
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This satellite view emphasizes the barriers posed by mountains
as well as the importance of the watershed shared by the Central Asian States.
Tajikistan includes the mountainous region north of the Amu Dar'ya river,
the area drained by the Vaksh River, and a small part of the Ferghana Valley,
which is the source of the Syr Dar'ya River. The unlabeled river in between is the
Zarafshan river, which begins in Tajikistan east of Aini, and flows west through
Panjikent, then past Samarkand in Uzbekistan, before disappearing near Bukhara.
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Notice how two separate mountain
ranges separate the northern section--
formerly Leninabod, now Sughd--from the capital, Dushanbe.
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This map by Gennadi Koupai offers the clearest representation
of the important arterial roads and the regional boundaries within Tajikistan.
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This is a small section, showing the area around the northern city of Khujand,
From the most detailed historical soviet map, available from the
UC Berkely library.
[Notice: Images associated with that page are Copyrighted © 2003
The Regents of the University of California
Reproduction limited to Fair Use Copyright Law restrictions.]
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