Following independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, Tajikistan developed a new flag on Nov. 24, 1992. The green stripe is for agriculture, while red is for sovereignty. White is for the main crop--cotton. The central crown contains seven stars representing unity among workers, peasants, intellectuals, and other social classes.

Tajikistan Official name: Jumhurii Tojikistan (Republic of Tajikistan). Form of government: parliamentary republic with one legislative house (Supreme Council [181]). Chief of state: President. Head of government: Prime Minister. Population (1997): 6,112,000. Population projection: (2000) 6,303,000; (2010) 7,497,000. Natural increase rate per 1,000 population (1996): 25.4 (1994; world avg. 15.7). Gross national product (1996): U.S.$1,964,000,000 (U.S.$340 per capita). Land use (1994): forest 3.8%; pasture 24.8%; agriculture 6.0%; other 65.4%.

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