Turkmenistan

The Secret Gem in Central Asia

The country of ancient history, beautiful nature and rare cultural heritage- the country of Turkmenistan that is hidden in the bosom of the Central Asian region. One of the countries that have historically remained in the shadow of some of its more famous neighbors, Turkmenistan is a country that gives a visitor an opportunity to see the world that is filled with old-world nostalgia and modern hopes. With its long history, amazing sights and unusual traditions, Turkmenistan is another interesting country to visit, being a combination of Karakum Desert which occupies the greater part of the territory and ancient city of Merv.

For an in-depth travel guide, visit the Official tourism guide for Turkmenistan 

In case you want to find more information regarding this country, such as its flag, language, area, currency, and population, you can produce and download free  this information by visit in our Random Country Generator tool. 

Note: The tool provides rapid research access on relevant country facts that can be used both in school and personal application

Geographical Location

Turkmenistan is in Central Asia, flanked by the states of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan and Iran. On the west, Turkmenistan is bound by the Caspian Sea. It is a vast desert state and is about 491,000 square kilometers with the Karakum desert covering much of the land mass. The geographical location of Turkmenistan has seen it become a historical meeting point of trade and cultural exchange between the western and the eastern worlds.

Natural Topography and Landforms

The largest geographical characteristic in the country is the Karakum desert that occupies more or less 80 percent of the land of this country. Turkmenistan, regardless of its desert setting, also has quite a few attractive natural features, such as Kopet Dag range on the south border with Iran. These mountains are of beautiful sight with rich wildlife. The Caspian Sea is the largest inland body of water on the earth, which also endows Turkmenistan with the exclusive sea-coast, which consists of beaches and fishing harbors. Other major natural attractions are the Darvaza Gas Crater or the Door to Hell, a burning natural gas field that has been burning down for decades.

Explore the stunning landscapes and rivers of Turkmenistan through National Geographic’s detailed coverage.

History Ancient and Medieval History

The history of Turkmenistan goes far back to thousands of years and Turkmenistan is a country that has several ancient civilisations. Merv is an ancient city that is now a part of the Silk Road because it is one of the most significant archaeological sites. Merv served as a significant trading center as well as industrial and cultural capital of the ancient times and is currently a world heritage site that is affiliated to UNESCO. The other historical sites are Nisa, the capital of Parthian Empire, and the very old city of Konye-Urgench which was a major center of Islam and culture in the middle ages.

Explore the stunning landscapes and rivers of Turkmenistan through National Geographic’s detailed coverage.

Liberation Period and Independence

In the 19th century, Turkmenistan was incorporated in the Russian Empire and subsequently, in the Soviet Union. Under the Soviet, Russian culture and political ideology had a significant impact on Turkmenistan and the economy turned towards producing cotton and oil. It happened in 1991 when Turkmenistan proclaimed its independence after the Soviet Union was dissolved. Since that time the country had gone through a number of rulers and the most outstanding in recent times is Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow dating back to 2007. Turkmenistan has been a country that has been practically cut off from the activities of the rest of the world being concerned with its sovereignty and self-control of its natural resources.

Current History and Development

Since independence, Turkmenistan has shifted its direction towards modernization and economic growth, especially in the aspects of energy generation. The nation is among the leaders in the world when it comes to production of natural gas and the economy is dependent on this money maker. In spite of the abundance in natural resources, Turkmenistan has issues of political freedom, human rights as well as being over-dependent on oil and gas exports. Nevertheless, the government has put plenty of money into infrastructure, such as modern buildings, roads and airports.

Ethnic Diversity and Religious Diversity

Turkmenistan is a rather culturally diverse country, but the principal part of its population (about 85 percent) is of Turkmen ethnicity. The country is also inhabited by minority groups, i.e. Uzbeks, Russians, and Kazakhs. The inhabitants of the country are majorly Muslims with Sunni Muslims being the majority and a small community of Shia Muslims occupying the southern part of the country. Other religions thrive in Turkmenistan, with religious tolerance also noted to be rich despite the dominance of Islam, with the other religions (such as the Russian Orthodox Christianity) being exercised by small communities.

Culture and Tradition

Turkmen people possess a high sense of cultural identity and pride to be remembered. The cultural heritage still includes such traditional practices as horseback riding and weaving and carpet-making. The country is known to produce high quality carpets that are intricately designed and are well made. A number of traditional annual festivals are celebrated by the Turkmen people such as the Nowruz or Persian New Year that is celebrated with the onset of spring due to which various festivals, music, and folk dances take place to celebrate the day.

Religious Festivals

Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha are important religious holidays in Turkmenistan, which are celebrated at the end of Ramadan and remembering the readiness of Ibrahim to sacrifice his son. The celebrations of these holidays are accompanied by prayers, family meetings, and feast. The government also has open public celebrations and holidays of the Islamic world.

National days and Special Days

Independence Day is a national holiday of Turkey in harmony. It is celebrated annually on October 27th, which is the date of the country’s independence from the Soviet Union. National pride, large parades and concerts are the marks of the day. Also, the Persian New Year called the Nowruz is a common celebration marked by cultural singing and dancing, foods, as well as cultural festivals.

Agricultural Sector

The agricultural sector has a rather long history of contributing to the economy of Turkmenistan especially through cotton farming. The primary agricultural export of the country is cotton and the cotton industry has been a target of government initiatives in growing its productions. But the agricultural sector is also engaged in the production of grains, vegetables and fruits. The government has been emphasizing better irrigation systems in the desert region so as to enhance agricultural production.

Power and Manufacture

With the finding of massive natural gas deposits in Turkmenistan the country has changed because of this oil richness. Turkmenistan is a leading natural gas producer, and the deposits of this type of resource occupy one of the first places in the world. The government has been keen in the development of its energy sector such as construction of pipelines and enlargement of its energy sales. The economy of the country is mainly led by oil and gas exports but there are focus on diversifying to include the other business areas like textiles, construction and telecommunications.

Economic Development

Turkmenistan has done tremendous things in terms of developing its infrastructure, especially in the capital, Ashgabat, whereby a lot of new shopping centers, government buildings and hotels have been established. The dependency on natural gas has also enabled the country to record significant economic growth but it is still affected by issues that are associated with economic diversification. The government is trying to develop the private sector and broaden the economy by investing in overhauling the infrastructure, agriculture and manufacturing industry.

Natural Attractions

The natural beauty of Turkmenistan is a significant tourist attraction. Some of the most exciting dunes made of sand can be found in the Karakum Desert and desert tourism can be in the form of camel rides or camping in the expanse of space. One of the most peculiar attractions of the world is called Darvaza Gas Crater or the Door to Hell. This is a burning natural gas field that has burned throughout decades, forming this bizarre, flaming territory.

Cultural and Historic Landmarks

The ancient landmarks portray the rich history of Turkmenistan. Merv is an ancient city and a place on the Silk Road that dates back more than 2,500 years and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Sapa is another significant historical place, the tomb of Sanjar Sultan, the ruins of Nisa as well as of Konye-Urgench. These archaeological landmarks are an informative source of Turkmenistan history and its contribution to the local history.

Healthcare System

The Turkmenistan healthcare system is state-organized and all the citizens are offered free healthcare services. Nevertheless, the system has some problems concerning the shortage of medical supplies, the obsolete infrastructure, and the lack of qualified specialists. The construction of new hospitals and clinics has also been undertaken to enhance urban healthcare by the government.

Education System

The Turkmenistan people consider education very important and this nation has done great work towards enhancing literacy levels. Education is compulsory up to the age of 15 and is free at primary and secondary level; and Ashgabat is the home to the largest educational institutions in the country with several universities. The government has been keen or concerned with the accessibility to education, which is yet to be improved especially in rural settings.

Transport Network

Turkmenistan also boasts of an effective arena of transport with highways, railways, and airports. Ashgabat is a capital which is connected by road and rail system to other big cities. The nation is also engaging in developing its transportation system especially in the oil and gas industries. The International Airport of Ashgabat links the entire world with Turkmenistan.

Urban Development

The capital city Ashgabat is also a monument to the process of modernization of Turkmenistan. The city is also famous with its magnificent white marble constructions, huge avenues and pompous pieces of architecture of governmental buildings. The government is mostly concerned with urban development, the development of infrastructure, public services, and tourism.

Ideal Seasons

The springtime (April-June) or fall season (September-November) are ideal times to go to Turkmenistan because it is much cooler and the visiting is more comfortable. Hot weather comes in the summer due to the extremes in temperatures (over 40 o C or 104 o F) in the desert regions especially.

Holidays and Celebrations

Tourists are free to organize around the celebration of the Nowruz and this is an exciting and culturally rich festival which takes place at the onset of the Persian New Year, and it presents much enthusiasm in Turkmenistan.

Conclusion: Future of Turkmenistan

Turkmenistan is a nation of enormous potential especially within its energy industry. And still, being a unique destination in the historical, cultural and natural matter, the country still continues to modernize and diversify the economy. The future growth and development is that Turkmenistan has a rich culture and substantial resources of nature.

Often Asked Questions

When should I visit Turkmenistan?

Spring (April to June) and Autumn (September to November) are the most appropriate times to visit because the weather is milder.

Which are the best attractions in Turkmenistan?

The main attractions are the Darvaza Gas Crater, Merv, Konye-Urgench and the old city of Nisa.

What are the Turkmenistan languages?

The language has been stated as Turkmen but with a considerable number of people speaking Russian, particularly in business and government circles.

On what is the economy of Turkmenistan based?

Its economy mostly consists of the production of natural gas, oil and cotton.

Is Turkmenistan a safe tourist destination?

Turkmenistan is also a safe country to tour and the tourist should take note of the local practices and policies of the government.

Which cultural festivals do I expect in Turkmenistan?

One of the best ways to experience the traditions of the country is the Nowruz festival (it marks the Persian New Year).

Turkmenistan is still a mysterious and wonderful place to visit with a rabble of historic tradition, vivid culture, and natural estate. It is also an interesting place to observe in the coming years with regard to its possibilities of growth and development.