Gorno-Badakhshan

Gorno-Badakhshan, officially called the Badakhshan Mountainous Autonomous Region, is a special area in the eastern part of Tajikistan. It is located in the beautiful Pamir Mountains. This region covers almost forty-five percent of the country's land, but only about two percent of the people live there. Because of its high mountains and remote location, Gorno-Badakhshan is a place of great natural beauty and quiet, making it special for those who live there or visit.

Name

The official name of this area is the Badakhshan Mountainous Autonomous Region. The word Badakhshan comes from an old title used by a group called the Sasanians. Gorno-Badakhshan means "mountainous Badakhshan" and is the name used in Russian. In Russian, it is called Gorno-Badakhshanskaya avtonomnaya oblastʹ. People often shorten this to "GBAO" when writing about it.

History

See also: Badakhshan

The area now known as Gorno-Badakhshan has had many rulers throughout history. From the 17th to the 19th century, small independent states controlled the land. Later, the regions of Kokand and Bukhara took control until Russia colonized the area in 1896. This set the borders we see today.

During the time of the Soviet Union, Gorno-Badakhshan became an autonomous region in 1925. The Soviet government built roads and schools, helping the local people. After the Soviet Union broke apart, fighting broke out in Tajikistan. The people of Gorno-Badakhshan wanted more self-rule and joined a group seeking democracy.

In 2011, Tajikistan agreed to give a small piece of land to China, ending a long border argument. Some people were upset about this decision. Since then, there have been protests and tensions between local people and the government.

Districts and geography

Gorno-Badakhshan is a special area in eastern Tajikistan, mostly covered by the Pamir Mountains. It has several districts that follow the valleys of rivers flowing into the Panj. The western part, called Darvoz District, is like a narrow arm reaching out. Murghob District takes up most of the eastern half and is a wide, open area with tall mountains to the west.

The region touches three countries: China to the east, Afghanistan to the south, and Kyrgyzstan to the north. Inside Tajikistan, it borders other areas to the west. The Pamir Mountains here hold some of the tallest peaks in Central Asia, including Ismoil Somoni Peak, Ibn Sina Peak, and Peak Ozodi.

Demographics

Gorno-Badakhshan is home to about 226,900 people. The largest city is Khorog, with around 30,300 residents, and Murghob is the second largest, with about 4,000 people.

Most people in Gorno-Badakhshan are Pamiris. Some also see themselves as Kyrgyz or belong to other groups.

The official languages are Tajik and Russian. Many people speak several languages because they use different ones in different situations.

The area has many special languages from the Pamir languages group, such as Shughni, Rushani, Wakhi, and others. Sadly, some of these languages are in danger of disappearing.

Government

During the Soviet era, the most important leader in Gorno-Badakhshan was called the First Secretary of the Gorno–Badakhshan Regional Committee of the Communist Party of Tajikistan.

Today, the leader of the region is called the chairman of the Badakhshan Mountainous Autonomous Region. This leader is chosen by the president of Tajikistan.

Transport

Gorno-Badakhshan has important roads that help people travel. During the 20th century, roads were built to connect places like Osh, Khorog, and Dushanbe. Today, the Khorog–Osh and Khorog–Dushanbe roads are parts of the Pamir Highway. In 2004, a new road was built through the Kulma Pass to connect Khorog to Tashkurgan.

Even though these roads are important, local traders don’t benefit much from trade. Big companies and people from Dushanbe control most of the trade. Pamiri people often need expensive visas to travel to China. In June 2022, work began to improve a section of the Pamir Highway with help from China.

Energy

In 2019, the European Union and Germany worked together with Tajikistan to provide money for building a small power plant. This plant, which uses the flow of a river to make electricity, will help provide energy to the nearby area in Afghanistan.

Sports

Khorog is the highest place where the sport of bandy has ever been played.

Notable individuals

Here are some well-known people from Gorno-Badakhshan:

• Qimmatgul Aliberdiyeva
• Tolibbek Ayyombekov
• Savsan Bandishoeva
• Nobovar Chanorov
• Nazarsho Dodkhudoev
• Akbarsho Iskandrov
• Manuchehr Kholiqnazarov
• Davlat Khudonazarov
• Ulfatmo Mamadambarova
• Mirsaid Mirshakar
• Muboraksho Mirzoshoyev
• Muhammadboqir Muhammadboqirov
• Qozidavlat Qoimdodov
• Nuqra Rahmatova
• Shodi Shabdolov
• Sabzajon Shoismoilova
• Shirinsho Shotemur
• Khudoyor Yusufbekov
• Gurminj Zavkibekov