Tajikistan: this small country bordering on Afghanistan on the south, China on the east, Uzbekistan on the west and Kyrgyz Republic on the north, is located in one of the most isolated and difficult-to-access regions of the world. Ninety-three percent of the country is covered by mountains, laying extraordinary challenges before the Tajiks who live there: agriculture land is limited; rural roads are closed for most of the winter; water, heat and gas are not always available (especially a challenge in sub-zero temperatures!).

The country has not had an easy history, either. Being the most remote of the former Soviet states and playing a strategic role for the Soviet Union, it was used to receiving substantial transfer payments from Moscow. The collapse of the Soviet Union plunged Tajikistan's economy into devastation, and at present over 80% of the population lives below the poverty line. Add to that four years of civil war, three years of severe drought, and a neighbour in the name of Afghanistan.

However, the economy is starting to move in the right direction, and the hardiness and warmth of the Tajiks will see them through in time. With all the negative reporting about Tajikistan, it's understandable but unfortunate that the lovely Tajik peoples and their culture are overlooked in the process. Their charm is turaly an asset to the country.

If you like places with few tourists, a warm local culture and plenty of natural beauty, you will love Tajikistan as a destination for unique tourism.

More pictures of Tajikistan and of the rest of Central Asia are available on my web site: www.newyoke.com