The Republic of Tajikistan is a mountainous landlocked country in Central Asia. It borders Afghanistan to the south, Uzbekistan to the west, Kyrgyzstan to the north, and China to the east. It is home mainly to the Tajiks who share culture and history with the Iranians and speak Tajik, a language closely related to Persian. Once the location of the famous Samanid Empire known as the Tajik Soviet Socialist Republic. About 1% of the country's area is covered by lakes:- Kuli Sarez, Obanbori Norak, Qarokul, Shorkul, Yashilkul, Zorkul