Turkmenistan

Turkmenistan
Public domain · source
Capital	Ashgabat
Largest city	Ashgabat
Official languages	Turkmen language
Leader title1	President of Turkmenistan
Leader name1	Serdar Berdimuhamedow
Leader title2	Chairman of the Mejlis
Leader name2	Gulshat Mammedova
Area km2	491,210
Population estimate	5,662,441
Population estimate year	2019
Population cities	Mary, Turkmenistan, Türkmenabat, Daşoguz

Turkmenistan. Located in Central Asia, it borders the Caspian Sea to the west, Kazakhstan to the north, Uzbekistan to the northeast, Afghanistan to the southeast, and Iran to the south. The country's terrain is characterized by the Karakum Desert, with the Kopet Dag range stretching along its southern border with Iran. The capital, Ashgabat, is a major city, with other notable cities including Mary, Turkmenistan, Türkmenabat, and Daşoguz. The country is also home to the Amu Darya river, which flows through Uzbekistan and Afghanistan before emptying into the Aral Sea.

Geography

The geography of the region is dominated by the Karakum Desert, which covers much of the country. The Kopet Dag range stretches along the southern border with Iran, and the Great Kyzylkum Desert lies to the north. The country's terrain is also characterized by the Tedzhen River, which flows through the Kopet Dag range, and the Murgab River, which flows through the Karakum Desert. The Caspian Sea lies to the west, and the country's coastline stretches for over 1,200 kilometers. The Ustyurt Plateau is another notable geographic feature, located in the northwest of the country, near the border with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. The country is also home to several oases, including the Merv Oasis and the Tedzhen Oasis.

History

The history of the region dates back to the Ancient Silk Road, which passed through the area, with cities like Merv and Nisa serving as major stops. The country was later conquered by Alexander the Great and his Macedonian Empire, followed by the Parthian Empire and the Sassanian Empire. In the Middle Ages, the region was invaded by the Mongol Empire under Genghis Khan and later became part of the Timurid Empire under Timur. The country was also influenced by the Russian Empire and the Soviet Union, with the Turkmen Soviet Socialist Republic being established in 1925. The country declared its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, with Saparmurat Niyazov becoming the country's first President of Turkmenistan. The country has also been a member of the Commonwealth of Independent States and the United Nations since its independence.

Government

The government of the country is a presidential system, with the President of Turkmenistan serving as the head of state and government. The current president is Serdar Berdimuhamedow, who took office in 2022. The country has a unicameral legislature, the Mejlis, which is composed of 125 members. The country has also been a member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and the Economic Cooperation Organization since 2010. The country's government has been criticized by organizations like Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International for its human rights record. The country has also been a member of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe and the International Monetary Fund.

Economy

The economy of the country is dominated by the natural gas and oil industries, with the country having the fourth-largest natural gas reserves in the world. The country is also a major producer of cotton and wheat, with the Agricultural Bank of Turkmenistan providing financing for the agricultural sector. The country has also been investing in the development of its tourism industry, with the Avaza tourist zone being a major destination. The country has trade relations with countries like China, Russia, and Iran, and is a member of the Eurasian Economic Community. The country has also been a member of the World Trade Organization since 2010. The country's economy has been growing rapidly, with the GDP increasing by over 10% per year.

Culture

The culture of the country is a unique blend of Turkic and Persian influences, with the Turkmen language being the official language. The country is home to a number of festivals, including the Nowruz festival, which is celebrated in Iran, Afghanistan, and other countries in the region. The country is also home to a number of museums, including the National Museum of Turkmenistan and the Museum of Fine Arts. The country has a rich tradition of music and dance, with the Turkmen carpet being a famous example of the country's textile art. The country has also been influenced by the Islamic Golden Age, with the University of Al-Karaouine and the House of Wisdom being major centers of learning.

Demographics

The demographics of the country are characterized by a population of over 5 million people, with the majority being Turkmen people. The country is also home to a number of minority groups, including the Uzbek people, the Russian people, and the Kazakh people. The official language is the Turkmen language, but Russian language and English language are also widely spoken. The country has a high literacy rate, with over 95% of the population being able to read and write. The country has a relatively young population, with over 50% of the population being under the age of 25. The country has also been experiencing a rapid urbanization, with the Ashgabat being the largest city. The country is also home to a number of universities, including the Turkmen State University and the International University for the Humanities and Development.

Category:Countries in Asia