ZERAFSHAN VALLEY

The Zerafshan Valley is an alpine area located in the basin of up river of Zerafshan and spread by Turkistan, Zerafshan and Hissor mountain ridges, separated by Zerafshan and Yangob rivers.  “Zerafshan” – which means “Golden River” in Tajik –is the main stream which crosses the valley and which supplies its inhabitants with a most precious resource: water. The local population depends strongly on agricultural revenues, with which the “golden river” continues to help them. Greeks called Zerafshan “Politimitet” and Sogdians “Namik”, which also means “Golden River”. The Zerafshan is 877 km long. Its length in Tajikistan is 316 km. The river starts its way from the Zerafshan Glacier in Kuhistone Mastchoh flowing from east to west into neighbouring Uzbekistan.

In the literature this territory is famous as Kuhistan, which means “mountain country” and actually reflects the main feature of the nature of this part of the republic. High mountain ridges of the area, fan structurally splayed to the west, with the height of 2000 to 5500 and above meters, conjoined with enormous bowl of Alay Mountains.

On the territory of the Zerafshan valley three districts of the Soghd Province are located: Penjikent, Ayni and Gorno Matcha. The population of Zerafshan valley is 314’000 in 254 villages and one town. The majority of the population is ethnic Tajik, with an ethnic Uzbek minority and the small Jagnobi community in Jagnob valley.

The Zerafshan Valley is famous for its beautiful lakes: Alauddin lakes, Kulikalon lakes, Iskanderkul lake, seven lakes and others. The Tajik ancestors, called Sogdians, have lived more than 1500 years along the Zerafshan valley. The archaeological site besides Penjikent city, once a Sogdian trading city on the Silk Road, is the best-preserved example of a Sogdian City and is often referred to, as “The Pompei of Central Asia”. In the remote villages you could meet people who still speak language rooted to Sogdian Language. Closed to Penjiknet the most ancient settlement in Central Asia – Sarazm is located. Sarazm (sari zamin) – “beginning of the world” is more than 5500 years old is considered as outset of civilization of Tajik people.