Some quick facts about Tajikistan

• Tajikistan is located over Afghanistan, with Kyrgyzstan above it, China on the east, and Uzbekistan to the west
• The capital is Dushanbe (pronounced doo-shawn-bay)
• 60% of the population is living below the poverty line (stat: 2006)
• The country gained independence in 1991, and in the ensuing five-year civil war, up to 50,000 people were killed and over one-tenth of the population fled the country.
• Tajikistan's population is about equal to Quebec's but in an area about one tenth the size.
• The population is 95% Sunni Muslim, 3% Shi'a and 2% other
• Most of the country's power is hydroelectric, so it faces severe electricity shortages during the winter. Citizens have as little as 2 hours of electricity per day
• Tajikistan's few natural resources include hydroelectric energy, aluminum and cotton
• The country is currently facing a food and energy shortage, as well as flooding and avalanches as the snow melts.

Sources: U.S Department of State, UN Central Emergency Response Fund, Theodora.com