Turkmenistan

Central Asia

Turkmenistan is a country in Central Asia, home to 7.5 million people, with an area of 488,100 km². Its capital is Ashgabat.

Capital: Ashgabat
Population: 7.5 million
Area: 488,100 km²
Region: Central Asia
Density: 15.4 / km²
Status: Sovereign state

Turkmenistan · Central Asia · map loads on click

Population: UN World Population Prospects, 2024 revision. Area: CIA World Factbook.

What Turkmenistan is known for

Turkmenistan is best known for Ashgabat, Ancient ruins and Kow Ata Underground Lake.

Turkmenistan is a country located in Central Asia. It is known for its extensive deserts, ancient ruins, and traditional nomadic culture.

Turkmenistan at a glance

Language: Turkmen is the official language, with Russian and Uzbek also widely spoken
Currency: Turkmenistan manat (TMT)
Religion: Islam is the predominant religion in Turkmenistan, with significant minorities practicing Christianity and Judaism
National dish: Plov, a rice dish typically made with lamb, carrots, and onions, is considered one of Turkmenistan's national dishes
Climate: Turkmenistan has a hot and arid climate, with temperature extremes ranging from below freezing in the winter to over 50°C (122°F) in the summer
Main industries: Natural gas, oil, agriculture, and textiles
GDP: $47.3 billion (nominal, 2021 estimate)
Development: Turkmenistan is considered a developing country with a human development index (HDI) ranking of 126 out of 189 countries (2020)

Things to do in Turkmenistan

Some of the main tourist attractions in Turkmenistan include:

Ashgabat the capital city known for its modern architecture and white marble buildings.
Ancient ruins the country has many ancient ruins dating back to the Silk Road era, including the city of Merv, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Kow Ata Underground Lake a natural underground lake located in the Dashoguz Province, popular for swimming and relaxation.
Darvaza Gas Crater also known as the "Door to Hell," a natural gas crater that has been burning for decades.
Yangykala Canyon a stunning canyon with colorful rock formations located in the Balkan Province.
Nisa another UNESCO World Heritage site, the ruins of the ancient Parthian city of Nisa are located near Ashgabat.
Gypjak Mosque one of the largest mosques in Central Asia, located in the outskirts of Ashgabat.
National Museum of Turkmenistan a museum in Ashgabat that houses a collection of artifacts from Turkmenistan's history and culture.
Carpet Museum of Turkmenistan a museum in Ashgabat dedicated to the art of Turkmen carpet weaving.
Turkmenbashi Ruhy Mosque a grand mosque located in the port city of Turkmenbashi.

These are just a few examples of the many attractions that Turkmenistan has to offer. The country is also known for its hospitality and unique cultural traditions.

Turkmenistan in pictures

Turkmenistan on video

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Turkmenistan compared with its neighbours

How it sits against the other countries of Central Asia.

Country	Population	Area	Capital
Kazakhstan	20.6 million	2,724,900 km²	Astana
Tajikistan	10.6 million	143,100 km²	Dushanbe
Turkmenistan	7.5 million	488,100 km²	Ashgabat
Kyrgyzstan	7.2 million	199,951 km²	Bishkek