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|  | TURKMENISTAN COUNTRY SNAPSHOT AND INTERESTING FACTS | Turkmenistan shares borders with Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan and Iran. To the west is the Caspian Sea. Nearly 80 per cent of the country is taken up by the Kara-Kum (Black Sand) desert, the largest in the CIS. Turkmenistan's tourist trade is relatively undeveloped. Almost all the attractions lie around the fringes of the desert and in oases. The capital, Ashgabat, on the southern rim of the Kara-Kum desert, is a modern city. It replaced the one founded in 1881, which was destroyed in an earthquake in 1948. The Sunday market in Ashgabat is the best place anywhere to buy Turkmen carpets. Mary, due east of Ashgabat, is Turkmenistan's second city. It lies near the remains of the city of Merv, which was once the second city of Islam until Ghengis Khan's son Toloi, reduced it to rubble killing many inhabitants in 1221. Plov - pronounced 'plo' - is the staple food for everyday and celebrations and consists of chunks of mutton, shredded yellow turnip and rice fried in a large wok. Ashgabat has an opera and ballet theatre, which shows both Russian and European works and a drama theatre. Annexed by Russia between 1865 and 1885, Turkmenistan became a Soviet republic in 1924. It achieved its independence upon the dissolution of the USSR in 1991. President NIYAZOV retains absolute control over the country and opposition is not tolerated. Extensive hydrocarbon/natural gas reserves could prove a boon to this underdeveloped country if extraction and delivery projects were to be expanded. The Turkmenistan Government is actively seeking to develop alternative petroleum transportation routes in order to break Russia's pipeline monopoly. 5 provinces (welayatlar, singular - welayat): Ahal Welayaty (Ashgabat), Balkan Welayaty (Balkanabat), Dashoguz Welayaty, Lebap Welayaty (Turkmenabat), Mary Welayaty
note: administrative divisions have the same names as their administrative centers (exceptions have the administrative center name following in parentheses). Turkmenistan is largely desert country with intensive agriculture in irrigated oases and large gas and oil resources. One-half of its irrigated land is planted in cotton; formerly it was the world's tenth-largest producer. Poor harvests in recent years have led to a nearly 46% decline in cotton exports. With an authoritarian ex-Communist regime in power and a tribally based social structure, Turkmenistan has taken a cautious approach to economic reform, hoping to use gas and cotton sales to sustain its inefficient economy. Privatization goals remain limited. In 1998-2004, Turkmenistan suffered from the continued lack of adequate export routes for natural gas and from obligations on extensive short-term external debt. At the same time, however, total exports rose by perhaps 30% in 2003 and 19% in 2004, largely because of higher international oil and gas prices. Overall prospects in the near future are discouraging because of widespread internal poverty, the burden of foreign debt, the government's irrational use of oil and gas revenues, and its unwillingness to adopt market-oriented reforms. Turkmenistan's economic statistics are state secrets, and GDP and other figures are subject to wide margins of error. In particular, the rate of GDP growth is uncertain. | Open here a detailed map in a new window. Map Server Travel-Island.com. | 
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| RESORTS AND EXCURSIONS | Turkmenistan's harsh desert conditions and terrain mean that tourism has been relatively undeveloped. Almost all the attractions lie around the fringes of the desert and in ancient ruins such as Merv (now Mary).
Ashgabat
The capital on the southern rim of the Kara-Kum desert, is a modern city. It replaced the one founded in 1881, which was destroyed in an earthquake in 1948 which measured 10.5 on the Richter scale, killed 30 per cent of the population and razed the city to the ground. Some of the more recent additions to the capital include the Arch of Neutrality, a 75m-high monument with a revolving 12m tall golden statue of President Niyazov at its peak. At the base of the monument there is a café and lifts which can be taken to the viewing platforms. Nearby stands the magnificent white marble Palace of Turkmenbashi, decorated with gold mirrored glass together with an Islamic-motifed dome.There are a number of museums, including a fine-art museum and the National Museum of Turkmenistan. There is a small carpet museum attached to the carpet factory on ul. Kuragli (formerly Piervomaiskaya), which houses the world's largest handwoven rug. The Tolkuchka bazaar (Sunday market) in Ashgabat is the best place anywhere to buy Turkmen carpets, misleadingly called Bukhara carpets in the West.
Excursions
Close to Ashgabat are the remains of Old Nisa, the capital of the Parthian kings who ruled from the third century BC to the third century AD over an empire which included Iraq and stretched as far as Syria.
The national horse stud, Turkmenbashi Stud Farm, is 10km (6 miles) from Ashgabat and pure-bred Akhal-Teke horses can be viewed here. Trips are best organised through a local travel agency.
Twenty kilometres (12 miles) east of Ashgabat is the modern town of Anau, once the site of the destroyed 15th century city. The ruins of the famous mosque (revered for its striking mosaic tiles and 8m-long dragons) can still be seen.
Chuli is a popular mountain resort reached by taxi or private car through a picturesque gorge. Climbing and hiking trips can be arranged and visitors can stay here.
A pleasant day trip is to Bakharden, 90km (56 miles) west of Ashgabat. The underground mineral lake (known in Turkmen as Kov Ata(father of lakes) is fed by hot springs and has a constant temperature of 37°C (97 °F). Bathing is permitted although there is an admission fee. Accommodation is not available.
Mary
Due east of Ashgabat, Mary is Turkmenistan's second city. A large industrial centre, Mary has little to recommend it other than its interesting Regional Museum. However, it lies near the remains of the city of Merv, which was once the second city of Islam and known as the 'Queen of Cities' until Ghengis Khan's son, Toloi, reduced it to rubble and reportedly killed a million of its inhabitants in 1221. The remains of that Merv and of the many that both preceded it and succeeded it are spread over a large area. Most of what remains are the brick-built mausolea of rulers and holy men - including the impressive Mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar, completed in 1140. Time, weather and invasions have taken their toll on the mud-built cities of the Turkmen.
Dashgouz & Konye-Urgench
Dashgouz is the largest city in the northern region of Turkmenistan, on a direct train route, 500km (311 miles) from Ashgabat, across the Kara-Kum desert. Although there are a few places to stay and eat, the main sights lie outside the city. Principally, the ruins of Konye-Urgench, an ancient fortress town with relics dating back to the 14th century, is well worth visiting. Entry is approximately US$2, payable in Manat. Things to see include the Kutlug Timur Minaret, one of the tallest minarets in Asia at 67m high and built in the 1320s; the Sultan Tekesh, Turabeg Khanym and Najm-ed-din Kubra Mausoleums.
Turkmenbashi
Situated to the west of Ashgabat, Turkmenbashi was known as Krasnovodsk, but it was renamed in honour of President Saparmurat Niyazov, who has been given the title 'Turkmenbashi' or 'leader of all the Turkmen'. Situated on the shores of the Caspian Sea, it is a Russian creation, built as a bridgehead for the campaign to subdue Central Asia, and later to become the terminal for the Trans-Caspian Railway. There are some panoramic views from the mountainside surrounding the town and visitors can enjoy some good beaches and swimming a little further out of town. The Museum of Regional History and Natural History makes an interesting visit.
The Silk Road
This ancient trading route was used by silk merchants from the second century AD until its decline in the 14th century, and is open in parts to tourists, stretching from northern China, through bleak and foreboding desert and mountainous terrain to the ports on either the Caspian Sea or Mediterranean Sea. For further details of the route see The Silk Road in the China section.
Among the many silk route attractions worth seeing in Turkmenistan are the vibrant Sunday Tolkuchka market in Ashgabat (selling such wares as traditional carpets, camels and pistachio nuts), the historical silk road cities of Konye-Urgench and Merv (including Kyz-Kala, a windowless castle known locally as the 'House of the Maiden Tears' and the mausoleum of Mohammed Ibn-Zeida) and the Kugitang Nature Reserve which reportedly bears impressions of hundreds of dinosaur footprints.
Travel along the silk road can be quite difficult due to the terrain, harsh climate and lack of developed infrastructure. Visitors to the region are advised to travel with an organised tour company or travel agent. | PASSPORT AND VISA APPLICATION Furthermore, in order to get into many countries on the stay abroad you will require a visa of some type, even if you are just visiting. This is usually an insert, stamp or sticker which is placed in your passport and the duration of its validity varies from place to place. If you do intend to work or study in the country to which you are traveling, however, you should organize your visa even further in advance as this can take longer to process.
As well as your passport you should ensure that you have at least one other form of identification with you. This may be a driver’s license, birth certificate or any other form of ID which is acceptable worldwide. As with passports, bring at least two copies of all forms of identification in case of loss or theft.
Help to Passport and Visa Application Forms. How to find the right one(s)?
A passport is issued to you by your home country as proof of citizenship. Visas are stamped into your passport to allow you entry into other countries. Although there are exceptions, you are usually required to display your passport when entering or leaving a country. Once you arrive at your destination, carry a photocopy of your passport and keep the original in a safe place.
A visa is an endorsement or stamp entered into your passport by a foreign government. It allows you to enter that country for a specific reason and period of time. Start applying for visas as soon as your passport is available so that all your documentation is completed well before your departure date. To receive a visa you need to send your passport to an embassy or consulate of the country you want to visit. Most countries have embassies and consulates worldwide, and travel agents can usually tell you where the nearest ones are located. Keep in mind that your passport may be tied up for days or weeks until the paperwork is done, so plan accordingly. In addition, some countries require proof of yellow fever vaccination before they will issue you a visa. The amount of time spent mailing your passport to the various agencies involved can really add up if you are visiting several countries. Plan ahead if possible. If you only have a few weeks to prepare, a commercial visa service can often speed up the process. |
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