The Pamirs are one of the highest mountain ranges on the whole planet. The peaks soar more than 7,000 metres above sea level — that is almost as high as a passenger aeroplane flies. At those heights the air is very thin and cold, and snow covers the ground even in summer.
Wide, flat valleys called plateau valleys run between the mountains. Because the mountains are so tall, they block most rain from reaching Tajikistan, so many valleys look more like a rocky desert than a green meadow. Rivers that begin here flow all the way to China, Afghanistan and the lowlands of Central Asia.
People have lived in Pamir villages for thousands of years. The Pamiri people are expert at building warm homes from stone and wood that keep families cosy even when temperatures drop far below freezing outside. Their traditions — including special music, food and crafts — have been passed down for many generations.