Türkmenistan (About - Türkmenistan, and world türkmens, türkmennama) is located in the south-west of Central Asia, capital city is Ashgabat (wiki). Bounded by the Caspian Sea in the west and the Amu-Darya river to the east, Turkmenistan covers 488,100 sq. km, the second largest Central Asian (Turkic) republic after Kazakhstan. To the south it is fringed by the Köpet Dag range that forms a natural border with Iran and father south-east with Afghanistan. To the north-west Turkmenistan shares the border with Kazakhstan and to the east with Uzbekistan.
The landscape of Turkmenistan (see districts) unfolds like a fabled Turkmen carpet. the Caspian Sea forms the western edge while mountain ranges fringe the southern borders and parts east. It is surfaced by one of the largest expanses of sand in the world: the Karakum (black sand) desert [1], and with rich of natural resources on places like Köýten Dag. Türkmen alphabet (most close to common turkic alphabet) uses latin and consists of 30 letters, with some specific letters like: Ç ç, Ä ä, Ž ž, Ň ň, Ö ö, Ş ş, Ü ü, Ý ý and for character encoding - html entities.

The country is divided into seven oil and gas regions according to the geological development of the sedimentary complex: West Turkmen, Central Kara Kum, Beurdeshik-Khiva, Chardzhou, Zaunguz, Murgab, Badkhyz-Karabil. One of four rivers which is Amu-Darya, biggest one, flows in the east along the border with Uzbekistan.
The small Tejen and Murgab rivers run off the eastern slopes of the mountains and vanish in the desert, only the Etrek River that flows into the Caspian Sea. Turkmenistan has a unique and remarkable history.


Daily life Historical cities Ashgabat Akhalteke Horses
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Gündelikli durmuş Taryhy şäherler Aşgabat Ahalteke bedewleri


History, Prominent Figures, Ancient cities Top

Turkmenistan has a unique and remarkable history. The territory of present-day Turkmenistan has been inhabited since the Stone Age, with evidence of agricultural communities as early as 6000 BC and of planned irrigation works from 3500 BC. The first states were Margiana and Parthia, from about 1000 BC. In 7th-6th centuries BC, Margiana was part of Bactria, while Parthia was part of the Median state. In the 6th-4th centuries BC the region was ruled by the Achaemenids... Shortly the territory of what is now Turkmenistan provided the bedrock for many of the most powerful empires of their age. The Parthians, Oguzlar ancestors of Great Seljuks (Beyik Seljuklar) and the Khans of Khoresm all based their empires at various points on the edge of the Kara-Kum Desert [2].



Travel Guide for Tourists Top

Turkmenistan - one of the most ancient cultural centers of Asia. The history of Turkmenistan originates from III century BC. For centuries the Turkmen land saw the prosperity and fall of great empires and suffered from ruthless conquerors. Up to the present day Turkmenistan keeps the traces of a medieval history.

It's really impossible to list all possible excursion routes across Turkmenistan. Its territory is abundant in rare ancient monuments which have survived from ancient times. The legendary Nissa - the residence of Parthian kings. If you travel deeper inland you'll have a chance to see the remains of the ancient city of Merv, Kone Urgenc.

Capital city Ashgabat which means "the city of love" (World's 'White-Marble' City, Record 1, Record 2) - an oasis created by people loves hands among sands and mounts. It is a city of blossoming parks, masterpieces of architecture, sculptures, tremendous fountains, museums and monuments. Besides numerous antiquities Turkmenistan has a variety of unique natural landmarks: underground lakes, high mountain tops, deep crevices, paradise-like places high in the mountains are similar to none. Only in such wonderful country you will have a chance to taste original Turkmen delicacies from fresh mutton cooked on saxaul fire wood, to see the world-known Akhaltekin racers, the legendary handcrafted Turkmen carpets, to become an eyewitness of national rituals! [3]



Art, Culture and more - Sungat we Medeniýet Top

In a culture (turkmenkultur) where the strength of the family has always been important, weddings and the birth of children hold the highest priority (see ministry of culture, theatres). While society is changing, the traditional customs and rituals of the matchmaking process and the wedding ceremony are still precisely observed. Turkmen are renowned for their lavish hospitality, respect for seniors, honesty and sincere generosity. To this day, a visitor will be offered tea and food before even being allowed to explain why he has come! Among the most important values for the Turkmen are friendship and love, always maintaining friendly relations with their neighbors - it is said that "If your neighbor is happy, you will be happy too."



Carpets, Akhalteke Horses, and Alabai Dogs Top

Common saying concerns horses, which Turkmen have bred and trained for millennia: "Water is a Turkmen's life, a horse is his wings, and a carpet is his soul." The Turkmen's horse is virtually part of the family and the beautiful Akhal-Teke breed is the national emblem. The world today is home to more than 250 breeds of horses cultivated by man over many centuries. The Akhal-Teke is a decedent of the Turkoman horse that was bred by the Teke tribe in the Akhal Oasis in Turkmenistan. Akhal-Tekes are a rare exotic equine exhibiting unparalleled grace and power.

Turkmenistan produces some of the most unique and beautiful carpets in the world. Carpet weaving is an ancient art, and each tribe developed its own distinctive pattern. In the history or even today, because of ancient Silk Road, carpets are sold internationally under different names such as Bukharian or Afghan. Turkmen carpets have been traditionally woven by women (halyçy zenanlar), a practice that continues today in both home settings and large-scale factories.

Turkmen dog - Alabai is a beautiful and courageous animal. For many centuries it has helped Turkmen shepherds to safeguard flocks of cattle in heavy conditions of sandy desert. This magnificent dog can not be confused with one other breed. Strong, well built alabai is fascinating in its nobleness of movements, confidence and calmness. Alabai (top breed pup) can easily stand sharp weather changes. Alabai dogs adapt both to very hot weather, +45 degrees Celsius in shade, and to high-mountain temperature, up to - 30 degrees Celsius. Moreover Alabai dogs are the best friend and helper for shephared - read Dowardarçylyk - gadymy pudak.



Always in our memory - Hemişe hakydamyzda Top

Museums and books-kitaplar are said to be the best memory preservers. When you look at the new museum exhibition, or you read a book about history you realize this once again.



Books - Kitaplar (Çeper eserler pdf formatda)    

Books are my best friends. A good book is a good friend who is made by great authors. Reading a book by an author (especially by Magtymguly Pyragy - mp3 Ses ýazgysy bilen) you haven't read in a while - a favorite author - is something like meeting up with an old friend - a good friend.



Library - Kitaphana (edebiýat we başga sapaklar üçin okalga) Top

This section has collection of links about the Turkmen literature, language and other related subjects e.g. see also: kitaphana, library, world of literature. Turkmen literature's important well known poet, Makhtumkuli (1733- 1813), in the 18th century, composed mournful, painful poems about injustice, the decline of morals and the general harshness of life. Then came poets such as Mollanepes and Kemine whose works remain popular among Turkmen today.



Tools (Gurallar) and Local Stuff Top



Media - Broadcasting, Music, Newspapers, Online Forums Top



Photo, Music, and Video Galleries Top

The songs of Turkmenistan (Türkmen aýdymlary, mp3-list) are connected to every aspect of life - from lullabies to the songs children sing during their games, to maiden's songs and wedding songs, to the worksongs sung during camel milking and carpet weaving. The most vibrant and respected of musicians is the bakhshi [Tamdyraň Heňi, Bagşynyň Owazy]. A musician-storyteller, he travels from town to town, dressed in special clothing and carrying his own utensils and water drawn from his own well. The villagers will have prepared a carpet-covered platform for him and there, by firelight, up to 2,000 people will gather to listen as the bakhshi sings, starting before sunset and ending long after sunrise the next morning. The bakhshi accompanies himself on the two-stringed dutar (for halk aýdymlary) and every two hours he will take a short break, drinking tea and chatting.