te: 4.38 children born/woman (1996 est.)

Nationality:
noun: Tajik(s)
adjective: Tajik

Ethnic divisions: 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: age 15 and over can read and write (1989 est.)
total population: 98%
male: 99%
female: 97%

Government
----------

Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Tajikistan
conventional short form: Tajikistan
local long form: Jumhurii Tojikistan
local short form: none
former: Tajik Soviet Socialist Republic

Data code: TI

Type of government: republic

Capital: Dushanbe

Administrative divisions: 2 oblasts (viloyatho, singular -
viloyat) and one autonomous oblast* (viloyati avtonomii); Viloyati
Avtonomii Badakhshoni Kuni* (Khorugh - formerly Khorog), Viloyati
Khatlon (Qurghonteppa - formerly Kurgan-Tyube), Viloyati Leninobod
(Khujand - formerly Leninabad)
note: the administrative center names are in parentheses

Independence: 9 September 1991 (from Soviet Union)

National holiday: National Day, 9 September (1991)

Constitution: new constitution adopted 6 November 1994

Legal system: based on civil law system; no judicial review of
legislative acts

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:
chief of state: President Emomali RAHMONOV (since 6 November 1994;
was Head of State and Assembly Chairman since NA November 1992) was
elected for a five-year term by universal suffrage; election last
held 6 November 1994 (next to be held NA 1999); results - Emomali
RAHMONOV 58%, Abdumalik ABDULLAJANOV 40%
head of government: Prime Minister Yahyo AZIMOV (since 8 February
1996) was appointed by the president
cabinet: Council of Ministers was appointed by the president who
proposes them to the Supreme Assembly for approval

Legislative branch: unicameral
National Assembly (Majlisi Oli): elections last held 26 February and
12 March 1995 (next to be held NA 2000); results - percent of vote
by party NA; estimated seats - (181 total) Communist Party and
affiliates 100, People's Party 10, Party of People's Unity 6, Party
of Economic and Political Renewal 1, other 64

Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges are appointed by the
president

Political parties and leaders: People's Party of Tajikistan,