Turkmenistan is a country in Central Asia bordered by Kazakhstan to the northwest, Uzbekistan to the north and east, Afghanistan to the southeast, Iran to the south, and the Caspian Sea to the west. The country has a population of approximately 6 million people and its capital and largest city is Ashgabat.

Turkmenistan is one of the least densely populated countries in the world, with most of its population concentrated in the capital city and around the country's few major cities. The country's economy is heavily reliant on its natural gas reserves, which are among the largest in the world. Other important industries include cotton production, agriculture, and construction.

Turkmenistan has a presidential system of government, with the President serving as both the head of state and the head of government. The current President, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, has been in office since 2006.

The country is known for its distinctive architecture, particularly in its capital city of Ashgabat, which has been dubbed the "City of White Marble" due to the extensive use of white marble in its buildings and monuments. Turkmenistan is also home to several historical sites and ancient ruins, including the ancient city of Merv, which was once a major center of the Islamic world and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Human rights in Turkmenistan are a cause for concern, with the country being ranked among the worst in the world in terms of freedom of speech, press freedom, and political freedoms. The country has also been criticized for its lack of transparency, corruption, and restrictions on civil society and religious freedom.

Telephone Code
993

Local Emergency Phone
3

Vaccinations
See WHO recommendations

Climate
Subtropical desert

Currency (Code)
Turkmenistani manat (TMM)

Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s)
220 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): C, F

Major Languages
Turkmen, Russian, Uzbek

Major Religions
Muslim 93%, Christian 6.4%, Buddhist <1%, folk religion <1%, Jewish <1%

Potable Water
Opt for bottled water

International Driving Permit
Suggested

Road Driving Side
Right

Tourist Destinations
Ashgabat (includes National Museum, Carpet Museum); Turabeg Khanym Complex; Kow Ata Underground Lake; Yangykala Canyon; Mary Regional Museum; Ancient Merv & Mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar

Major Sports
Soccer

Cultural Practices
It is best to use your right hand or both hands to give and receive gifts, as the left hand is sometimes considered unclean.

Tipping Guidelines
Tip guides $8-10 (USD) per person per day for a tour. Tour drivers may be tipped $5 (USD).

Souvenirs
Carpets, scarves, silk, gold statues, Turkmen calendars, Turkmen sheepskin hats

Traditional Cuisine
Ishleki — a flatbread-type dough wrapped around a filling including minced lamb, onions, and spices and then fried

Geography
Area
total: 488,100 sq km
land: 469,930 sq km
water: 18,170 sq km

Climate
subtropical desert

Natural resources
petroleum, natural gas, sulfur, salt

People and Society
Population
5,690,818 (2023 est.)

Ethnic groups
Turkmen 85%, Uzbek 5%, Russian 4%, other 6% (2003 est.)

Languages
Turkmen (official) 72%, Russian 12%, Uzbek 9%, other 7%

Religions
Muslim 93%, Christian 6.4%, Buddhist <1%, folk religion <1%, Jewish <1%, other <1%, unspecified <1% (2020 est.)

Population growth rate
0.95% (2023 est.)

Government
Government type
presidential republic; authoritarian

Capital
name: Ashgabat (Ashkhabad)

Economy
Economic overview
upper middle-income Central Asian economy; has 10% of global natural gas reserves, exporting to Russia and China; natural resource rich; authoritarian and dominated by state-owned enterprises; major central-south Asian pipeline development

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$92.331 billion (2019 est.)

Real GDP per capita
$15,000 (2019 est.)

Agricultural products
milk, wheat, cotton, tomatoes, potatoes, watermelons, grapes, sugar beets, beef, rice

Industries
natural gas, oil, petroleum products, textiles, food processing

Exports
$7.458 billion (2017 est.)

Exports - partners
China 82% (2019)

Exports - commodities
natural gas, refined petroleum, crude petroleum, cotton fibers, fertilizers (2019)

Imports
$4.571 billion (2017 est.)

Imports - partners
Turkey 25%, Russia 18%, China 14%, Germany 6% (2019)

Imports - commodities
iron products, harvesting machinery, packaged medicines, broadcasting equipment, tractors (2019)