Dushanbe, the capital and most populous city in Tajikistan, is also its largest. Dushanbe was home to 863,400 people, a majority of the Tajik, as of January 2020. The city was previously known as Dyushambe in Russian, but it was renamed Stalinabad from 1929 to 1961, after Joseph Stalin. Dushanbe lies in the Gissar Valley. It is bordered by the Gissar Range to the east and north, and the Babatag and Aktau, Rangontau, and Karatau mountains to the south. It has an elevation of between 750-930 m.

Khujand, the capital of Tajikistan’s northernmost Sughd Province, is the second-largest Tajikistani city.

Khujand, which dates back approximately 2,500 years to Persian Empire, is one of Central Asia’s oldest cities. Khujand, located at the mouth of the Fergana valley’s Syr Darya River, was once a major city on the ancient Silk Road. It was captured by Alexander III in 329 BC and renamed Alexandria Eschate. Since then, it has been part of several empires, including the Umayyad Caliphate (8th Century), the Mongol Empire (13), and the Russian Empire (19th Century). The majority of the population is ethnic Tajiks. It lies close to Uzbekistan’s borders.

Kulob, also known as Kulyab, is a city located in the Khatlon Region of southern Tajikistan. It is located 203km (126 mi) southwest of Dushanbe, on the banks of the Yakhsu. It is the country’s largest city. The city’s population is 106,300, while the city with outlying communities has a population of 214,700 (2020). Kulob Airport serves the city.

Khorugh, the capital of Tajikistan’s Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region is (GBAO). It is also the capital city of the Shughnon District in Gorno-Badakhshan. The population is 30,500 (estimated 2020). Khorugh stands at 2,200m (7,200 feet) above sea level in the Pamir Mountains (ancient Mount Imeon), at the confluence between the rivers Panj and Ghunt.

The Shakhdara (south) and Ghunt (north) border the city. They merge in the eastern portion of the city and flow through it until they reach their delta in Panj, near the border with Afghanistan. Khorugh is famous for its large number of poplar trees, which dominate the city’s flora.

Panjakent, or Penjikent, is a city located in the Sughd Province of Tajikistan along the river Zeravshan. It has a population estimate of 52,500 (2020). It was an ancient Sogdiana town. On the outskirts of the city are the remains of the old town. The Sarazm Important Bird Area is located downstream of the city, on the tugay-vegetated river floodplain.