Mountains define the weather and climate conditions in Tajikistan. Winter temperatures
in the mountains can be as cold as –60°C, while summer temperatures in the lowlands can reach +40°C. Half the country is above 3 000 metres, with the highest summits exceeding 7 000 metres.
Glaciers cover nearly 6 per cent of the country, twice the area of its forest cover. Glaciers and
snow in the mountains comprise essential water
reserves for the Amu Darya River.
Tajikistan is the least urbanized nation in Central Asia. Its rapidly growing population depends on rain-fed agriculture for food, and on irrigated agriculture for cotton exports. Deforestation,
soil erosion and excessive livestock grazing are increasing the vulnerability to climate change.