The towering Pamirs rise in the southeast. The Alay and Tian Shan mountain ranges stretch across much of the rest of the country. The Amu Darya, a major river of central Asia, flows along part of Tajikistan's southern border. Another major river, the Syr Darya, flows across part of northeastern Tajikistan. Other rivers include the Vakhsh, Kafirnigan, and Zeravshan.
Earthquakes often occur throughout the region.
Summers in the valleys are typically long, hot, and dry. Winters in the highlands are long and cold. Agriculture accounts for almost two-fifths of the value of Tajikistan's economic production. Cotton is Tajikistan's chief agricultural product. Other crops include various fruits, grains, and vegetables.