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Ever since the world's yuppies, retirees, bo-bos and ferals stopped going to Nepal (too cold) - and since Lonely Planet Publications entered into an agreement with Alex Garland to destroy the beauty and culture of Thailand - there are few places left for over-educated, wealthy people to buy handicrafts. Let's face it, Turkey has great rugs, but who wants to get hassled night and day when all you want is to pay a fair price for a nice kilim and conquer? If you want the real deal, you want Bakpakhistan.
Bakpakhistan, ringed by the King Tüj Mountains (Tujbakoop, in the local Bakpashti language), is finally flinging open its doors to the world. For centuries this 'sleeping midget' (in the words of Napoleon) has laid low while northern neighbour Tajikistan has flexed its muscles and attracted the weight of international interest. Crystal-clear streams, soaring snow-capped mountains and some of the best hiking in the world can be found in New Zealand. Here in Bakpakhistan, it's all former-Soviet pollution, totalitarian fear and really, really cheap rugs.
DIRE WARNING
The outlook for travellers headed for Bakpakhistan isn't as bleak as, say, that for Angola or Montserrat, but the highly changeable political situation dictates that savvy backpackers dead set on reaching Hikinboot with their dog-eared guidebooks in one piece (and war stories aplenty) should keep their ears close to the ground and take all official state travel warnings with a grain of Red Sea salt.
Rebel anarcho-syndicalist forces are said to control a majority of the territory, including the vast barren hinterlands to the north, south, east and southwest of Hikinboot. However, the rebels are rumoured to be quite harmless and hospitable to travellers who are willing to contribute a few brand-name smokes and a World's Most Dangerous Places sticker. Those who fork over a few BK to the cause in return for a snapshot might even find they're offered a cup of hot yak-butter tea. Repeated UN attempts to broker a lasting peace have only resulted in an escalation of ethnic clan warfare. In January 2001, the easternmost separatist province of Wayoutback attempted to declare itself an independent republic after a short-lived and blood-soaked victory against government forces; it was unsuccessful.
Full country name: Bakpakhic Republic
Area: 28,540 sq km (111,306 sq mi)
Population: 17,451
Capital city: Hikinboot pop: 437
People: Bakpakhic (97%), Lonely Planet independent travelers (3%)
Language: Bakpashti
President: Snagult Ufqunt
Prime Minister: Slotcar Nascar
GDP: US$427 (1974 est)
Annual growth:-35%
Major industries: Poorly refined petrochemical products, rugs
Major trading partners: Tajikistan, Lonely Planet Publications
Disclaimer: Although we've tried to make the information on this web site as accurate as possible, we accept no responsibility for any loss, injury or inconvenience sustained by any person resulting from information published on this site. We encourage you to verify any critical information with the relevant authorities before you travel. This includes information on visa requirements, health and safety, customs, and transportation.
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