Official Name: Turkmenistan
Capital: Ashgabat
Area: 491,200 square kilometers; Water surface covers about 4.9% of the total area
Population: Approximately 6 million people
Languages: Turkmen (official language), Russian (widely spoken in major cities), Uzbek (in northern regions)
Religion: Predominantly Islam (Sunni), with a minority of Orthodox Christians
Electricity: 220V AC, 50 Hz; Standard double-pin plug
Time Zone: UTC+5
Internet Domain: .tm
International Dialing Code: +993
Currency: Turkmen manat
Major Cities: Ashgabat, Turkmenabat, Dashoguz, Balkanabat, Turkmenbashy, Mary
Location: Turkmenistan is situated in Central Asia and is bordered by the Caspian Sea to the west. It shares land borders with Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, and Iran, and maritime boundaries with Russia and Azerbaijan. The country lacks direct access to the world’s oceans. Its landscape is predominantly flat, with nearly 80% covered by the Kara-Kum desert, one of the largest deserts globally. The Kopetdag Mountains in the south serve as a natural boundary between Turkmenistan and Iran.
Land Borders: 3,736 kilometers
Population Distribution (2016 data):
Language: Turkmen, the official language, is a member of the Turkic language family. It is also spoken by Turkmen communities in Iran, Turkey, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Russia (Stavropol region). The Turkmen alphabet is based on Latin script and consists of 30 letters. The language has numerous dialects corresponding to various ethnic Turkmen groups, such as Teke, Jomud, Ersarin, Salyr, Saryk, Chodur, and others. The dialect spoken by Turkmens in Stavropol is known as Trukhmen.
Religion: The predominant religion is Islam, with about 89% of the population adhering to Sunni Islam. Christians make up around 9%, while other religions account for 2% of the population. The state ensures freedom of religion and conscience and maintains a separation between religious institutions and state functions. Public education is independent of religious organizations.
Political System: Turkmenistan is a unitary republic with the President serving as the head of state.
Legislature: The Mejlis is the unicameral parliament.
Administrative Divisions: Turkmenistan is divided into vilayats (Ahal, Balkan, Dashoguz, Lebap, Mary), which are further subdivided into etraps, gengeshliks, and other populated areas.
Flag: The flag features a green field with a vertical red stripe adorned with five traditional carpet patterns (guls), representing the country’s five regions. Olive branches beneath the patterns signify the country’s permanent neutrality. To the right of the stripe, there is a crescent and five white stars.
Emblem: The emblem of Turkmenistan consists of an eight-pointed green starburst with golden edges, enclosing two circles. The emblem’s central features include:
The red disc surrounding these elements displays five major carpet guls (Akhalteke, Salyr, Ersary, Chodur, Jomud), symbolizing the unity and friendship of the Turkmen people. The blue circle depicts the Yanardag, the Akhalteke horse, which is a symbol of pride for Turkmenistan.