Turkmenistan

Located in Central Asia, Turkmenistan is a nation characterized by contrasts and complexities. Though it ranks as the 35th most populous country in Asia with a population of more than 7 million, ironically it is among the most thinly populated countries on the continent. This fascinating paradox prepares the ground for a nation whose rich past entwines with modern issues and aspirations, long a crossroads of empires and cultures.

Geographically, Turkmenistan enjoys a strategic location with borders on Afghanistan, Iran, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan, as well as a western coast along the Caspian Sea. Historically, Turkmenistan has been at the junction of several civilizations, which helps to create its varied cultural tapestry. Serving as the political and economic hub, Ashgabat, the capital and biggest city, reflects the mix of modern development and classic Central Asian legacy.

One cannot overestimate Turkmenistan’s historical relevance. Once a gem of the Silk Road, the ancient city of Merv is evidence of the nation’s central importance in the trade of goods, ideas, and civilizations between East and West. Merv was not only among the biggest cities in the world but also a lighthouse of Islamic knowledge and practice at its height. Even as the Turkmen nation negotiates the complexity of the modern world, this legacy of intellectual curiosity and cultural interaction has profoundly shaped their identity.

For Turkmenistan, the path to statehood has been one of foreign rule and autonomy struggles. With the annexation of the Russian Empire in 1881, the area came under outside control—a condition that would last through the Soviet era. The Turkmen Soviet Socialist Republic’s founding in 1925 helped the nation to become part of the larger Soviet Union, influencing its political, social, and economic systems for years to follow. Turkmenistan did not become an independent country facing the possibilities and difficulties of newly acquired sovereignty until the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991.

Authoritarian government has defined Turkmenistan’s political scene since independence. Leaders who have tightly regulated every facet of society have passed through the nation in turn. From the cult of personality around President for Life Saparmatur Niyazov, known as Türkmenbaşy or “Head of the Turkmens,” to the later governments of Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow and his son Serdar, Turkmenistan has battled problems of democratic governance and human rights. Concerns regarding the absence of press freedom, religious liberty, and the treatment of minorities within the nation have regularly been expressed by foreign observers.

Notwithstanding these political obstacles, Turkmenistan has great economic potential mostly because of its large natural resources. The nation boasts the fifth-largest natural gas reserves worldwide, which has shaped both its foreign policy and economic plan. From 1993 to 2019, Turkmenistan’s abundance of natural resources has let it give its people certain advantages, including free electricity, water, and natural gas. But the great reliance on hydrocarbon exports has also made the nation susceptible to swings in world energy markets.

The Karakum Desert dominates Turkmenistan’s terrain and spans most of the nation. Although this hostile environment has historically presented difficulties for agriculture and settlement, it has also helped the Turkmen people to develop their own unique cultural adaptation. With its clear beauty and ecological value, the desert landscape serves both as a natural barrier and a potential benefit for the growing tourism industry of the nation.

Turkmenistan has lately tried to diversify its economy and draw foreign visitors. Designed to boost the tourism infrastructure of the nation, the Awaza tourist zone on the coast of the Caspian Sea marks this effort. Still, limited international exposure and tight visa regulations have hampered major expansion in this field. Turkmenistan reported in 2019 the arrival of just 14,438 foreign visitors, which emphasizes the difficulties in building a strong travel industry.

Turkmenistan presents a variety of attractions for those who visit that speak to its rich past and natural beauty. Structured visits give access to historical sites including Konye-Urgench, Nisa, and Ancient Merv, illuminating the nation’s rich past. Avaza’s beach resorts as well as the medical tourism facilities in Mollagara, Bayramaly, Ýylysuw, and Archman serve guests looking for leisure and wellness opportunities.

Often referred to as the “Gateway to Hell,” the Darvaza gas crater is among Turkmenistan’s most well-known and unusual attractions. Thought to have been burning since a Soviet drilling accident in 1971, this fiery pit has captivated visitors and come to represent the abundance of natural gas in the nation. But in a reflection of shifting priorities, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow directed the fire to be extinguished in January 2022, citing environmental and health concerns as well as the aim to boost gas exports.