DUSHANBE - sights of Tajikistan

Dushanbe is the largest city in Tajikistan, its magnificent capital. It is the political, cultural and economic center of the country. Here the squares breathe history, and ancient fortresses and museums can tell about the life of civilizations that lived on the city's territory a millennium ago. Here the representative of the Samanid dynasty, Ismail Samani, created his great power, after which Tajiks were given the name of their national currency (Somoni) and renamed the highest peak of the Pamirs (since 1998 the peak of Communism is called the peak of Ismail Samani). The population of the republic as of 2008 is 679 thousand 400 people. More than 9% of the population lives in the capital of the republic from the total number of inhabitants of the country. Here live Tajiks (83.4%), Uzbeks (9.1%), Russians (5.1%) and other nationalities (2.4%). Dushanbe is located at an altitude of 750-930 m above sea level within the densely populated Gissar valley in the south of Tajikistan. The city is one of the highest mountain capitals in the world. Literally a hundred meters from its border the mountains are already beginning. Dushanbe has a pronounced continental climate, with dry and hot summers and damp, cool winters. Through the city the river Dushanbe-dar'ya flows, feeding the artificial lake Komsomolskoe in the city center. To the north of the city is Varzob Gorge - there are numerous recreation centers. Today, Dushanbe is a modern world capital, a large sunny city with a developed infrastructure, which can be called a record for the number of streets, avenues, squares named by the names of poets and writers, which once again confirms the deep historical memory of the Tajiks. Dushanbe is the largest industrial center of the republic, producing more than one third of Tajikistan's industrial output. The transport system of Dushanbe is represented by rail, air and road transport. In addition, Dushanbe is an important center of science and culture. There is the Academy of Sciences of the Republic with 26 scientific research institutes, which work in all areas of modern science. In Dushanbe, there are 13 higher, dozens of secondary specialized vocational schools, as well as five theaters (the Ayni Opera and Ballet Theater, the A.Lahuti Dramatic Theater, the V.Mayakovski Russian Drama Theater, etc.), the Philharmonic, the Circus, more than 70 cinemas and film installations, film studio "Tajikfilm". Here is the State Library. Firdavsi, more than 180 public libraries, 5 museums, a radio and a television center, dozens of preschool institutions, etc. In recognition, the city's outstanding contribution to the strengthening of the values ​​of peace, tolerance and solidarity in everyday life On August 4, 2004, by the decision of UNESCO, Dushanbe was awarded the First Prize "City of Peace" of the Asia-Pacific region for 2003-2004. Representatives of the United Nations, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the International Monetary Fund and other influential international institutions, and the diplomatic corps of foreign states carry out their activities in Dushanbe. Here, with the participation of heads and heads of state, officials, politicians, representatives of world business, conferences, international symposiums and meetings on topical issues of today are held. The city's attractions. * Square named after Sadriddin Aini. This area is significant because here in 1978 a monument to the great writer was erected. Around the statue of Sadriddin Aini there are sculptures of the characters of all his works. * Area them. 800 anniversary of Moscow. It is one of the most beautiful squares of the city. It is surrounded by Indian lilac trees. In the center of the square there is a large fountain - a favorite recreation place for students, as well as artists, musicians, actors. * Putovsky Square. It is decorated with beautiful fountains, flowers and lush pine trees. Here is the Presidential Palace. * Republican Library named after Firdousi. The building of the library is built in the traditional Tajik style, combined with elements of modern architecture. It stores two million books in many languages. The real treasury is the collection of books of the peoples of the Ancient East, two thousand manuscripts of Rudaki, Firdousi, Ibn Sino, Saadi. * Russian State Drama Theater named after V. Mayakovsky. Located in the heart of the capital on the right side of Rudaki Avenue. * Tajik State Academic Drama Theater named after A. Lahuti. In turn, it is located not far from the theater named after V. Mayakovsky. * Museum of Ethnography. It houses a lot of samples of Tajik art with an exposition of earthenware, carpets, jewelry and musical instruments of all historical epochs of Tajikistan. * Hissar fortress. The former residence of the bek, governor of the Bukhara emir, is located 26 km to the west of the capital. The fortress with walls 1 m thick, with loopholes for guns and guns, was guarded by guards. Inside there was a swimming pool and a garden. Opposite the fortress there was a market square with a caravan-shed and many shops. Opposite the entrance to the fortress, an old medrese of the 17th century was preserved, in which the Koran was studied. Nearby there is a new madrasah of the 18th - 19th centuries. Here is a mausoleum of 16 - 17 centuries. Gissar Fortress is a historical and cultural reserve, an open-air museum.