Flag of Turkmenistan

Flag of Turkmenistan

Facts

  • Population » 5.5 million
  • Language » Turkmen, Russian
  • Religion » Islam
  • Life expectancy » 64 years (men), 71 years (women)
  • Currency » Turkmen manat

Geography

  • Area » 488,100 sq km (188,456 sq miles)
  • Located in Central Asia bordered by the Caspian Sea and largely covered by the Karakum Desert.
Map of Turkmenistan

Map of Turkmenistan (Source » France)

Maps

Notes

  • Oil rich
  • Pricy hotels – targeted towards business people

Tourism

  • Canadians require a visa to visit Turkmenistan.
    • You will require a letter of invitation.
    • Reportedly, they only give 3 or 5-day transit visas for $55, which must be applied for in advance.
    • Will only issue visas for entry on specific dates
  • Unless you’re on a transit visa, you need a guide outside the capital
  • Ashgabat, the capital, was rebuilt in Soviet style in the mid-20th century and is filled with grand monuments honouring former president Saparmurat Niyazov.
  • Known for archaeological ruins including those at Nisa and Merv

Experiences

  • Darvaza gas craters in the Karakom Desert
  • Ashgabat is a bizarre and quirky white marble capital city

Overland

  • Drive » Right side

Media

Resources