Turkmenistan

circa 1000 BCE–500 CE – Inhabited by various Persian and Central Asian cultures

8th century – Arab conquest; Islam introduced

11th century – Seljuk Turks rise to power; Turkmen tribes migrate across regi

1220s – Mongol invasions under Genghis Khan

16th–19th centuries – Tribal confederations dominate region

1881 – Russian Empire annexes Turkmen territory after Battle of Geok Tepe

1924 – Turkmen Soviet Socialist Republic established as part of the USSR

October 27, 1991 – Turkmenistan declares independence from the Soviet Union (date of modern state formation) 1995 – Declared a permanently neutral state by the United Nations

2006 – Saparmurat Niyazov (Turkmenbashi) dies; succeeded by Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow

2022 – Serdar Berdimuhamedow becomes president, continuing dynastic rule

2023–2025 – Infrastructure development, expanded gas exports to China, continued isolation

Location: Central Asia
Capital: Ashgabat
Language: Turkmen (official); Russian and Uzbek also spoken
Currency: Turkmenistan Manat (TMT)
Population: ~6.3 million (last updated: April 2025)
Time Zone: Turkmenistan Time (TMT, UTC+5)

Borders: Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, Iran; coastline on the Caspian Sea
Landscape: Mostly desert (Karakum Desert), mountains, oases, steppe
Major Water Bodies: Amu Darya River, Caspian Sea, Garabogazköl Lagoon
Notable Features: Karakum Desert, Kopet Dag Mountains, Darvaza Gas Crater (“Door to Hell”)

Ethnic Groups: Predominantly Turkmen (~85%), with Uzbek, Russian, and Kazakh minorities
Religion: Predominantly Islam (Sunni), with small Eastern Orthodox Christian minority (last updated: 2021)
Urban Population: ~52% (last updated: 2023)
Population Structure: Youthful population, but with high emigration rates (last updated: 2024)

Famous For: Carpet weaving, traditional music and dance, neutrality, distinct architecture
Cuisine: Plov (rice dish), kebabs, manti (dumplings), chorba (soup), green tea
Arts: Traditional Turkmen carpets, jewelry, epic poetry (Gorogly), equestrian traditions
Sports: Horse racing, football, wrestling, traditional games with Akhal-Teke horses

Economy Type: State-controlled, resource-based
GDP: Approx. $60 billion USD (estimated; last updated: 2024)
Major Industries: Natural gas, oil, cotton, textiles, construction
Key Exports: Natural gas, oil, cotton fiber, textiles, petrochemicals
Unemployment Rate: Official data limited; estimated to be high due to informal economy (last updated: 2024)
Economic Zones: Awaza National Tourism Zone, gas production hubs in eastern Turkmenistan

Government Type: Presidential authoritarian republic
Head of State & Government: President Serdar Berdimuhamedow (last updated: April 2025)
Legislature: Bicameral (Halk Maslahaty and Mejlis – People’s Council and Assembly)
Constitution: Current version adopted in 2008, amended in 2016 and 2023
Notable Policy: Permanent neutrality status recognized by UN in 1995

Ashgabat: Monumental white marble buildings, Independence Monument, National Museum
Darvaza: Darvaza Gas Crater (flaming natural gas field)
Merv: Ancient Silk Road city and UNESCO World Heritage Site
Konye-Urgench: Historic ruins, mausoleums, and medieval Islamic architecture
Karakum Desert: Camel trekking, desert exploration
Caspian Sea Coast: Awaza resort area

UNESCO World Heritage Sites: 3 (last updated: 2023)