capital of the Gorno-Badakhshan (“Mountain Badakhshan”) autonomous region, south-central Tajikistan. It is situated near the border with Afghanistan in the southwestern Pamirs range at an elevation of 7,200 feet (2,200 m) and on the Gunt River where it flows into the Pyandzh. The city is linked by road with Osh and Dushanbe and by air with Dushanbe. Originally two villages, it now has a hydroelectric station and factories. The Pamirs Biological Station and the Pamirs Botanical Gardens are nearby. Pop. (2000) 28,000.