Message about turkmenistan. Turkmenistan: Shameful questions about one of the most closed countries in the world

Turkmen carpets And Akhal-Teke horses, Sunday markets and countless monuments of antiquity: the ruins of ancient fortresses of the Achaemenid dynasty and the settlements of the Parthian kingdom, ancient cities Merv, Kunya-Urgench, Nisa, medieval castles, forts, kavaran-sheds, mosques, mausoleums and tombs - that's what attracts tourists to hot Turkmenistan. Numerous studies and excavations have proved that people lived on the territory of Turkmenistan 3 million years ago!

Of the modern sights that are definitely worth a visit in Turkmenistan, the main ones can be distinguished: cyclopean mosque « Turkmenbashi Rukhy”, the palaces of Turkmenbashi and Rukhyet, the Monument of Independence and the Arch of Neutrality, and, of course, Carpet Museum, where, among the many ancient artifacts, a modern a giant carpet of 301 sq. m- "Golden Age of the Great Saparmurat Turkmenbashi".

In addition to the most interesting historical and modern monuments, Turkmenistan has many natural attractions: huge Karakum Desert with its classic dunes, the Bakharden cave and the underground sulfur lake Kou-Ata, burning Darvaza gas crater, dinosaur plateau - Khodzhapil, Yangikala canyons, Repetek, Kugitang and Kopetdag national parks and other interesting natural objects.

Turkmenistan can actually be compared with the traditional oriental beauty, which, due to established habits and religious national principles, does not have the right to keep its face open to everyone it sees in front of it, or those who themselves have an irresistible desire to admire her extraordinary beauty. Her appearance is the silhouette that appears before our eyes when a woman in a hijab appears, and her inner world is not known to almost anyone. However, in the event that a person has exceptionally noble and serious intentions in relation to her, she can open up to him and show all the beauty that was heard so much about, but until a certain moment remained hidden from the eyes.

Turkmenistan today, despite the strict visa regime, it is one of the popular tourist destinations Central Asia. And although the government of Turkmenistan does not strive to make life inside the country public and, in fact, is rather sparing in the development of foreign policy relations, however, the state hosts tourists, there are a number of modern hotels of the world's leading hotel chains, many private mini-hotels, etc. .

Turkmenistan surprises and delights, feeds delicious food and colorfully celebrates holidays - this country has been making connoisseurs of Asian culture fall in love with it for many years. The Turkmens themselves say that their land is sacred as the hearth of the Turkmen, pure as the conscience of the Turkmen, great as his pride and strong as his faith!

Useful information for traveling in Turkmenistan:

General information about Turkmenistan.

Location. Turkmenistan, which during its long history has been under the rule of almost all the major rulers of the East, is now a sovereign state. Located in Central Asia, it has borders with Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Afghanistan and Iran. The country does not have access to the World Ocean, but the Caspian Sea provides local residents with the opportunity to listen to the sound of the surf without leaving their homeland.

Square. The territory of the country is spread over 491,200 sq. km. The lands of Turkmenistan are 80% represented by deserts. Much less fertile than their neighbors, they nevertheless make the state one of the world leaders in natural gas production.

Population Turkmenistan - 5,169,660 people.

National composition. The indigenous nation of Turkmenistan is the Turkmen, they make up 91% of the country's population, 3% are Uzbeks and 2% are Russians. Teaching in general education schools is conducted in the Turkmen language. A significant number of Uzbeks live in the valley of the Amu Darya near the Turkmen-Uzbek border. Kazakhs are concentrated mainly in the north of Turkmenistan and along the coast of the Caspian Sea.

Political structure. The country is ruled by a president. The past decade has changed the political system of the state quite a lot. If until 2006 S. Niyazov was the permanent president, then the current head should be elected for a term of up to five years. Legislation in the country is handled by the Parliament, Majlis. Before the death of S. Niyazov, the People's Council, the Halk maslahaty, also functioned in the country, and was also involved in the preparation of bills. Relatively recently, parties began to appear.

Administrative-territorial division. Turkmenistan is divided into 5 regions / velayats and one city with the rights of the region - the capital.

Capital- the city of Ashgabat with a population of approx. 900,000 people, which became the Guinness book record holder for the number of buildings made of white marble. This material, as well as a mixture of elements of Eastern and European architecture, make the capital one of the most magnificent cities in Central Asia.

Official language. The only state language is Turkmen, which is natural, because the population consists of more than 77 percent Turkmen. However, many locals are fluent in both Russian and Uzbek.

Currency unit- manat. It is possible to make payments in the country only in manats, consisting of 100 tenge. The use of other currencies is officially prohibited.

Religions. The vast majority of the population - 89% profess Sunni Islam, 9% - Christianity. Only 2 percent are representatives of other religions.

The residence of the head of the Muslims of Turkmenistan - Kazi - is located in the city of Chardzhev. There are several Muslim shrines in Turkmenistan, where pilgrimages are quite often made. These are mainly Muslim cemeteries and tombs of the Middle Ages. Among them, the most revered are Ag-Ishan near Bakharden northwest of Ashgabat, two religious buildings Babaghammar (Gammarbaba) near Iolotan and Kushka, the mausoleum of Serakhsbab, built on the site of the tomb of Sheikh Abul-Fazl near Serakhs.

Standard Time Zone. Clocks in Turkmenistan do not translate. It constantly differs upwards from Greenwich Mean Time by five hours.

Electricity. Sockets are used standards B and F. The voltage in them is 220 volts with a current frequency of 50 hertz.

Climate of Turkmenistan.

The climate of Turkmenistan is continental, arid with large temperature fluctuations, low rainfall and high evaporation. Summers are usually hot and dry, with average July temperatures of 28-32°C. Winters are mild, with little snow, but in some years there are heavy but short-term snowfalls and temperatures can drop to -20°C. Average January temperatures range from -5°C in the northeast of the country to +4°C in the south. Of course, the maximum performance can scare anyone, but they are recorded extremely rarely. The presence of the sea has a positive mitigating effect on coastal regions, making recreation in them very comfortable.

A characteristic feature of the local climate is the almost constantly blowing winds of the northern component, which bring cold air masses from the steppe regions of Kazakhstan in winter, and hot winds and stock air masses from the mountain slopes in summer, causing sandstorms and dry winds.

The best time to visit Turkmenistan- spring ( March to May) and autumn ( September to November). From March to May, Turkmenistan is colored with fresh greenery, and the sweet aroma of flowering trees is in the air. September and October can also give a lot of pleasant sensations, when the summer heat has subsided, but nature still does not think to fall asleep. The capital of Turkmenistan has especially comfortable climatic conditions for recreation.

How to dress in Turkmenistan.

As in most secular states of Central Asia, there are no official prohibitions regarding the styles and colors of clothing in Turkmenistan. On the streets you can often meet people in national attire, but the locals do not condemn the wearing of European trousers, dresses and other outfits.

The only thing to avoid is visiting shrines in inappropriate and overly revealing clothes. The hot climate of the country suggests wearing the lightest possible clothes, mainly made of cotton and other natural fabrics.

In nature, you should not use styles of T-shirts where the shoulders and part of the back are open, as there is a risk of sunburn. It is also better not to neglect hats.

Urban shoes may well be limited to light sandals or flip flops, but outside of settlements, especially in desert areas, you should put your feet in sneakers, as the region is replete with poisonous insects.

Cuisine of Turkmenistan.

Despite their nomadic roots, which are present to some extent in most of the Central Asian republics, the people of Turkmenistan did not reduce their culinary traditions to only types of fried meat. Undoubtedly, meat has played and is playing an important role in the preparation of national dishes, but in this country, not so much second courses are common as first ones.

Nowhere in Central Asia can you find so many species soups like in Turkmenistan. This is flour porridge umpach-zashi and pea soup gaynatma, and tomato gara-chorba, and many other options. What unites all this diversity is that the basis for each type of soup is chorba - lamb broth. This is the same broth that is customary to drink among Kazakhs and which, seasoned with vegetables, is served to the table by Uzbeks (shurpa).

Fragrant kosushki of Turkmen soup often surpass in nutritional value similar stews of their neighbors, and a limited amount of spices allows the taste of meat and other ingredients to be fully revealed. After such first courses, the European is sometimes no longer up to the second.

Although, you should not rush to refuse, because the splendor of second courses in Turkmenistan will also impress a true gourmet. What is worth just one govurlan-et- fried lamb with tomatoes, where the balance of vegetables and meat is so well chosen that the former saturate the latter with delicate sourness, and the latter with fragrant spicy aroma and fat.

Do not ignore and Turkmen types of pilaf, even if he has already become quite boring during his trips to other countries of Central Asia. This dish is prepared in a completely different way. Very often, in addition to rice, meat, onions and carrots, various dried and fresh fruits are added, ennobling the rest of the components and bringing a touch of freshness and unusual piquancy. Only here you can taste the most unusual swim where instead of meat is used fish. It is impossible not to distinguish such pilaf from the number of similar dishes of the East.

It is worth noting that in Turkmenistan, the use in cooking seafood much more developed than in other countries of the region. This is explained by the presence Caspian Sea- a reliable supplier of this kind of goods to local markets. Therefore, dishes such as balyk-gavurdak- fish baked in pots are an integral part of the feast of local residents.

You can also enjoy the unusual taste of a number of dairy products in Turkmenistan. And many of them - chala, teleme, agarana and others are made from camel milk. Another culinary distinction of the country has become a favorite throughout the region Turkmen pastries. Cookie write me or pies Shilekli- all of them will appeal to both adherents of oriental cuisine and lovers of European cuisine.

The cost of food in Turkmenistan.

Guests will also be pleased with the prices for local dishes in restaurants and cafes. Food products in the country are relatively cheap, which ensures the formation of fairly democratic prices. In order to eat to satiety in a metropolitan cafe, it will be enough to have 10-15 US dollars with you, and in smaller towns you can spend 8 dollars on this.

Visa and registration.

With all the richness of its tourism potential, Turkmenistan has a rather inconvenient visa policy for travelers.

To visit the country, it is necessary to issue visa to Turkmenistan(more). Turkmen visas are issued on the basis of invitations issued by the State Migration Service of Turkmenistan. You can get a Turkmen visa either directly at Ashgabat International Airport (with the collection of consular fees necessary in such cases for the urgency of processing, there is also a possibility of refusal with subsequent deportation to your homeland at your own expense), and in advance at the consular department of the Embassy of Turkmenistan.

In connection with the internal policy of Turkmenistan, at present, issuance of positive decisions on obtaining visas at the request of travel agencies for citizens of the CIS is extremely rare. Refusal without explanation is issued in 95 out of 100 applications.

Registration. Foreign citizens arriving in Turkmenistan for a period of more than three working days, no later than the third working day from the moment of entry into the country, must register with the State Migration Service of Turkmenistan. The hotel staff also check in arrivals and provide them with relevant documents. These certificates must be kept, otherwise problems may arise when leaving the country. Staying at visiting points (stops) without registration is allowed for a period of not more than 3 days.

Visiting border areas requires special permission.

Customs regulations of Turkmenistan.

As well as everywhere else, it is forbidden for the entrant to carry weapons, drugs, ammunition, pornographic materials and materials that pose a potential threat to the constitutional order of the state. Foreigners are also prohibited from importing and exporting local currency.

currency other states can be imported in any quantity subject to mandatory declaration, but when leaving the amount should be less. customs declaration should be filled in as detailed as possible and kept until the moment of departure from Turkmenistan. If any products were purchased on the territory of the country, then appropriate certificates should be issued for them, confirming that they do not carry historical value.

Large souvenir shops prepare the necessary export documents for the goods sold in advance, so purchases made at such outlets will save a lot of time and nerves.

It is strictly forbidden to export from the country fish and black caviar. Also prohibited for export from Turkmenistan jewelry without hallmarks, precious and semi-precious stones and their semi-finished products; bee and snake venom, mumiyo, propolis; meat of all kinds and products of its processing; plants and animals listed in the Red Book of Turkmenistan; carpets and rugs without the appropriate permission of the State Association "Turkmenhaly".

When paying for any purchases and services, it is advisable to keep receipts.

Currency of Turkmenistan.

In Turkmenistan it is forbidden to make payments in foreign currency. To exchange it, you should contact banks and official exchange offices. Banks in the country rarely work after 17.00, but exchange offices at hotels and airports often operate around the clock.

They accept mostly new US dollars only. Banknotes must not have defects, otherwise the employees of the point or the bank may refuse to exchange. It is categorically not recommended to get involved with bazaar money changers and illegal businessmen, tk. there is a risk of being deceived or caught by the police in conducting illegal foreign exchange transactions.

Bank cards issued outside the state, practically do not have circulation in the territory of Turkmenistan. It is possible to use them only in large hotels and shopping centers of the capital.

Internet in Turkmenistan.

The Internet in Turkmenistan is limited (not all sites are accessible), the connection is not very high quality, the traffic speed is low, and the prices are quite high. In recent years, the situation with the Internet in Turkmenistan has been improving, but it is still far from universal high-quality Wi-Fi.

Photographing in Turkmenistan.

In Turkmenistan, it is allowed to capture on film everything except military and some government facilities. It is also not recommended to take pictures and shoot videos at airports and border areas.

Souvenirs of Turkmenistan.

In addition to numerous photographs from Turkmenistan, it would be nice to bring some souvenirs that remind you of this wonderful country. The most popular and world-famous Turkmen products are, of course, carpets.

Craftswomen make them exclusively by hand, using tools and machines that have not changed in the least for hundreds of years. The subtlety of the ornament of Turkmen carpets is amazing! Looking at them, one gets the impression of a striking volume. The only drawback of such a souvenir will be its price.

Turkmens know the value not only of their carpets, but also of horses. So, for example, to take out of the country argamak(Akhal-Teke horse) will not succeed for any money. But on the shelves of shops you can find a large number of figurines of this and other breeds of horses. Ceramic or wooden, it will become a worthy decoration of your desktop.

From ceramics funny whistles are made here. The sounds extracted with their help resemble the overflowing of streams, the whistling of the desert wind and the sound of the surf. Not only a child, but also an adult will be happy with such a gift from a distant country.

If you want to protect a loved one from the evil eye, then the artisans of Turkmenistan are ready to offer a variety of carnelian products. Jewelry made using this material drives away evil spirits and brings happiness to its owner. A guest who does not believe in either evil or good spirits, hot Turkmenistan gives the opportunity to take away a piece of his warmth, placed in a telpak - a national headdress made of white sheep's fur.

National characteristics, norms of behavior and local customs.

In everyday life and everyday life, Turkmens are benevolent and hospitable, calm and self-possessed people. Local customs and traditions are based on the ancient Turkic culture and Islamic religion. In the past, Iran had a strong influence on the region, then the Russian Empire.

In addition to official laws, there are well-established traditions and unspoken principles for solving everyday issues: tribal relations are still strong here; Turkmen society of the patriarchal type, dominated by men; Elderly people enjoy special respect among Turkmens, aksakals (elders) have indisputable authority.

National holidays in Turkmenistan.

.	January 1 - New Year.
.	January 12 - Memorial Day.
.	January 27 - Day of Defenders of the Fatherland.
.	February 19 - Holiday of the State Flag of Turkmenistan.
.	March 8 - International Women's Day.
.	March 21-22 - Novruz; National Spring Festival.
.	1st Sunday of April - Holiday "A drop of water - a grain of gold."
.	The last Sunday in April is the Day of the Akhal-Teke Horse.
.	May 9 - Victory Day.
.	May 18 is the Day of Revival, Unity and Poetry of Makhtumkuli in Turkmenistan.
.	The last Sunday of May is the Day of the Turkmen Carpet.
.	2nd Sunday of August - Turkmen Melon Day.
.	1 September is the day of knowledge.
.	October 6 - Day of Remembrance for the Victims of the 1948 Earthquake.
.	October 27 - Independence Day of Turkmenistan.
.	1st Saturday of November - Health Day.
.	December 12 - Day of Neutrality of Turkmenistan.

State symbols of Turkmenistan: flag, coat of arms and anthem.

Flag.
The flag of Turkmenistan was adopted on 02/19/1992 and is a rectangular green panel with a vertical red-burgundy stripe, which depicts five national gels, with a white crescent and five stars. Each of the gels is framed with a carpet ornament, the outer edge of which is aligned with the edges of the strip. In the lower part of the red-burgundy stripe, two olive branches intersecting at the base and directed upwards in different directions are depicted, symbolizing the status of permanent neutrality of Turkmenistan. Together with carpet gels, they form a single composition. Each olive branch consists of ten leaves decreasing towards the ends, arranged in pairs, except for the lower and upper. The larger green part in the upper left corner shows a crescent and five white five-pointed stars.
Five national carpet gyols, each of which is framed by a carpet ornament, also symbolize the velayats. There is a deep philosophical meaning in the symbolism of carpet gels. The word "gel" itself has different interpretations: gul (flower) or kol (lake). All gels are built on the principle of the golden section, in proportions of 21 to 34. At the bottom of the red-burgundy stripe one-sixth of the flag wide are two intersecting olive branches, a symbol of the independence and neutrality of the nation. February 19 - Day of the State Flag of Turkmenistan.

Hot Turkmenistan is the brilliant heart of Central Asia. The great dynasties of the past left behind magnificent palaces, mosques and caravanserais. Karakums, the capital Ashgabat and ancient Merv, horses, carpets and plov - all about Turkmenistan: map, cities, photos, tours.

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Consular office in Turkmenbashi: Magtumguly st., 81a; tel.: 243 770-83.

Codes of some cities: Ashgabat - 12, Turkmenabad - 422, Dashoguz - 322, Mary - 522, Balkanabat - 222, Turkmenbashi - 243.

Unified rescue service - 03.

Tourist safety

While in Turkmenistan, you should follow standard security measures: keep documents and valuables in a hotel safe, do not take large sums of money with you, and always keep an eye on your bag and wallet. In crowded places - in markets and bazaars, you need to beware of pickpockets. At night, it is better not to walk alone, especially in unfamiliar areas. A trip to the border regions of the country is possible only with official permission and with a Turkmen escort.

In conversations, one should not touch on the topic of politics and the controversial era of the reign of Saparmurat Niyazov, as well as everything related to this in one way or another: from the artistic value of the book “Rukhnameh” to the golden statue of the “father of the Turkmens” on the main square of Ashgabat. Considering that the state religion of Turkmenistan is Islam, one should show respect for the norms of Islamic morality and not dress provocatively.

You can drink only bottled or boiled water, wash fruits and vegetables and brush your teeth with it. In bars and restaurants, you should order pre-chilled drinks and refuse food ice.

Transport

The internal transport of Turkmenistan is represented by planes, trains, buses, minibuses and taxis - official and "illegal".

It is most convenient to cover long distances on the wings of Turkmenistan Airlines and other local carriers: many flights daily connect Ashgabat with Dashoguz, Mary, Turkmenabad and Turkmenbashi. The fleet consists of brand new Boeing 717s, which makes the trip very pleasant. The cost of tickets can be safely called a penny, the only inconvenience is the high demand for tickets with a limited offer; Reservations must be made as early as possible.

Officially, tickets for domestic flights go on sale 14 days before the date of the flight, but they are immediately swept away by resellers, so it is likely that you will have to overpay when buying a ticket at a travel agency.

By train, you can get from the capital to Turkmenbashi, Mary and Turkmenabad. There are no electrified lines, the trains run on thermal traction and move quite slowly: the journey from Ashgabat to Turkmenbashi, for example, will take about 12 hours.

Between cities it is convenient to travel by minibuses and buses - it's cheap and fast. The first ones traditionally set off when all the places are occupied, and the second ones go on schedule. A trip from the capital to Turkmenbashi by minibus will take 6 hours and cost about 8 USD, Mary can be reached in 4 hours and 3 USD. Travel in intercity buses will not cost more than 2-3 USD, even for the longest distances.

Taxis, most of which are privately owned bombers, are a convenient way to get around cities. In order to stop the car, just stretch out your hand while standing on the side of the road - it is guaranteed that if not the first, then certainly the second approaching car will stop. Fares by European standards are ridiculous - 0.30-0.40 USD for a short trip and 0.60 USD for a longer one. The price must be negotiated in advance and, of course, you must follow the elementary rules of caution when getting into an unfamiliar car. Prices on the page are for October 2018.

Rent a Car

To rent a car in Turkmenistan, you will need an international driving license. The age of the driver must be at least 21 years old, driving experience - at least a year. Roads outside the capital and major cities are narrow, unlit and often unpaved, so extreme caution must be exercised when driving.

The ideal option for renting a car in Turkmenistan is with a driver, since at any taxi rank you can find a driver with a car who is ready to ride you for a fixed fee for days on end. You can also hire a car with a driver at local travel agencies. Renting the most affordable option will cost 50 USD per day.

Climate of Turkmenistan

Turkmenistan is the hottest country in Central Asia. In July and August, the temperature in Ashgabat can reach +50 °C. In general, the country is dominated by a sharply continental arid climate with constantly blowing northern winds, which bring cold air from the steppes of Kazakhstan in winter, and heat, sandstorms and dry winds in summer. The average January temperature in the southern regions is +4 °C, in the north of the country - -5 °C, in the Karakum Desert - up to -25 ... -30 °C. In July, in the south of Turkmenistan, the average temperature is +35 °C, in the north - +27 °C, in desert regions the temperature reaches +50 °C during the day and +14...+17 °C at night. In the Caspian lowland, the climate is milder, quite comfortable both in summer and in winter. The best time to visit the country is from April to June and from September to early November.

shopping

Carpets and horses are the two main treasures of Turkmenistan. It is unlikely that it will be possible to take home the handsome Akhal-Teke horse (although nothing is impossible), but anyone can buy an authentic Turkmen carpet or rug. The largest selection is in the bazaars of Ashgabat, as well as in the store at the Museum of Carpets, but you can easily find a product to your liking and wallet in any city of Turkmenistan. Knotted carpets made of wool or silk are the most expensive goods, and felt mats "koshma" will cost much less, while they are no less pretty.

It is more convenient to buy a carpet in a state store - in this case, all taxes are already included in the price and it is enough to present a sales receipt at the border to export the product. When purchasing a carpet in a private store, it will be necessary to send it at your own expense for examination to the Expert Commission at the Carpet Museum in Ashgabat, which will certify that the age of the carpet does not exceed 50 years.

From Turkmenistan, you can bring items of national costume, which are not a rarity here - they are still worn daily by middle-aged and older people, especially outside the capital. Hats are popular - well-known from the Soviet past, a skullcap and a fur hat made of sheep's wool "telpak". It is worth paying attention to the bright, thin and extremely durable Turkmen silks "keteni". Among other souvenirs are figurines of Akhal-Teke horses of all styles and sizes, national silver jewelry - both for women and men. From the "goodies" we recommend buying a couple of jars of Turkmen halva, as well as cognac and local wines.

In Turkmenistan, you should definitely try the Caspian sturgeon or stellate sturgeon - baked in a clay oven "tandoor", smoked or grilled.

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Turkmenistan

Cuisine and restaurants

As in neighboring Asian countries, the main dish of Turkmen cuisine is plov. It is prepared from rice, lamb, with the addition of many aromatic herbs, seasonings and spices, dried fruits and nuts. It is customary to drink fatty dishes with sour-milk drinks: “airan” and “chal” from camel milk or yogurt.

From soups, shorba with meat and vegetables, spicy and spicy stew of camel meat “gaynatma”, soup of lamb and crushed hard flatbread with onion “dograma” are common. A very tasty, albeit fatty dish - "kaurma" - a lamb cooked in its own juice. Everywhere you can taste real manti - dumplings with steamed lamb and hearty pies: "ishlekli" from meat with onions and "gutapy" - meat, potatoes, spinach and pumpkin.

Finish the meal with "gok tea" - green tea with mint and dried fruits. As for alcoholic beverages, you should pay attention to Turkmen cognac, wines and Turkmenbashi vodka.

Entertainment and attractions of Turkmenistan

Turkmenistan is the center of the monuments of the great dynasties of the past: Timurids, Sassanids, Khorezmshahs, whose offspring built new cities and erected majestic palaces, laid mosques and caravanserais, created the basis for magnificent libraries and observatories. The ancient cities of Kunya-Urgench, Merv, Nisa, stops of the Great Silk Road, medieval forts and mausoleums are the basis of the Turkmen “excursion”. In addition, there are many natural attractions on the territory of the country: the Karakum desert, the sulfur lake Kou-Ata, the burning crater of Darvaza, the Repetek, Kugitang and Kopetdag national parks and many other interesting places.

In Ashgabat, it is worth visiting the settlement of Nisa (1000 BC), which was once the capital of the powerful Parthian kingdom. Here you can see the remains of two fortresses, temples, palace halls, the graves of the Arsacids dynasty. You should definitely walk around the colorful medieval bazaars: the huge Dzhygyllyk, Gulistan, Lalezar and the Tekinsky bazaar. The Carpet Museum interestingly tells about the history of carpet weaving, traditions and methods of weaving carpets, and many artifacts are exhibited - from the oldest copy (17th century) to the modern giant of 301 square meters. m, named, of course, "The Golden Age of the Great Saparmurat Turkmenbashi." The theme continues with the cyclopean-sized Turkmenbashi Rukhy mosque, built in the native village of the former president, 15 km from the capital, and the abundance of architectural structures of our time: the palaces of Turkmenbashi and Rukhyet, the Independence Monument and the Arch of Neutrality, business centers, parks and fountains.

The sights of Mary, ancient Merv - the citadel of Erk-Kala of the Achaemenid dynasty, the medieval settlement of Gyaur-Kala with the ruins of monasteries and castles of the nobility, the Seljuk settlement of Sultan-Kala and the citadel of Shahriyar-Ark, the ruins of the Parthian city of Gebekly, the sacred city of Gonur-Depe, the medieval castles of Haram -Keshk and Akuyli-Koushuk, mosques, mausoleums and tombs.

In Turkmenbashi, the Shir-Kabib mausoleum of the 10th century, the Parau-bibi mosque, which is an important center of pilgrimage for Muslim women, the Tasharvat caravanserai, the Dehistan valley and the ruins of the medieval city of Misrian with two well-preserved 20-meter minarets, are of interest.

In Turkmenabad, it is worth visiting the Repetek nature reserve, part of the Karakum desert, the hottest place in all of Central Asia, the settlement in Amul-Chardjuy, the city-museum of Atamurat with the mausoleum of Almutasir and Astana-baba, the ancient Bai-Khatyn caravanserai, in which relief fragments have been preserved decorative stone carving with the names of the righteous caliphs - Omar, Abu Bakr and Ali.

a state in Central Asia. In the north it borders with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, in the east - with Uzbekistan and Afghanistan, in the south - with Afghanistan and Iran. In the west it is washed by the Caspian Sea.

The name of the country comes from the ethnonym of the people - the Turkmen.

Official name:

Capital: Ashgabat

The area of the land: 491.2 thousand sq. km

Total population: 4.8 million people

Administrative division: It is divided into 5 velayats (regions), 37 etraps (districts).

Form of government: Republic.

Head of State: President elected for a term of 5 years.

Composition of the population: 81% - Turkmens, 9% - Uzbeks, 3.5% - Russians, 1.9% - Kazakhs, 0.8% - Azerbaijanis, 0.8% - Tatars, 0.8% - Baluchis, 0.7% - Armenians, 0.3% - Ukrainians, 1.2% - others.

Official language: Turkmen, one still remains a wag of the Russian language.

Religion: 89% - Muslims, 9% - Christians, 2% - other confessions.

Internet domain: .tm

Mains voltage: ~220 V, 50 Hz

Phone country code: +993

Climate

The climate of Turkmenistan is sharply continental, arid, with large annual and daily temperature ranges, low air humidity, high evaporation and low precipitation.

Such a climate regime is due to the location of Turkmenistan in the lower latitudes, a significant distance from the World Ocean, the features of atmospheric circulation, the nature of the surface structure, the presence of mountain systems in the south and southeast. The absence of orographic barriers in the north and northwest allows cold air masses to freely penetrate the country's territory, which often causes a sharp cooling (especially in the winter-spring period) in almost all regions.

In general, the climate is characterized by extreme instability in the cold half-year and relatively stable hot and dry summers, as well as mild and little snow, sometimes cold winters, short wet springs, and dry autumns. The average temperature in January is from -5° C in the northeast to +4° C in the Atrek region; the absolute minimum is -32° С in the Tashauz region, -29° С in the foothill zone of the Kopetdag and -10.3° С in the south of the Caspian Sea coast. The average July temperature is +28°C in the northeast and +32°C in the south; absolute maximum +49.9° С.

The average annual precipitation is about 80 mm in the middle reaches of the Amu Darya, 150 mm in the Karakum Desert, 200–300 mm in the foothills and intermountain valleys, and over 400 mm in the mountains. Hot dry winds and dust storms are typical for the plains.

The snow cover is unstable, usually lasts for several days (in the northern regions and mountains). Winds are constant, northeast, north, northwest prevail; in the foothills of the Kopetdag in summer the dry hot wind garmsil blows. The growing season is 200–270 days.

Geography

Turkmenistan is located in the southwestern part of Central Asia. In the north and east it borders with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, in the south - with Afghanistan and Iran. In the west it is washed by the waters of the Caspian Sea.

Only three types of landscape can be found here: desert plains, oases and mountains.

Most of the country's territory (about 80%) is a plain occupied by the Karakum desert, stretching from west to east for 880 km. (375,000 sq. km). In the northwest, near the coast of the Caspian Sea, there is the Kara-Bogaz-Gol Bay with a height of 35 m below sea level. In the south and southwest lie the mountains of Kopetdag and Paropamiz. The largest lake is Sarykamysh (salty). The main rivers are the Amu Darya, Murgab and Tejen.

Flora and fauna

Vegetable world

Desert vegetation prevails in Turkmenistan. Shrubs grow on the sands: white and black saxaul, kandym, cherkez, sand acacia, astragalus, swollen sedge prevails in the grass cover. On solonchaks and sors grow comb, sarsazan, potash, etc. On the Ustyurt plateau there are shrub saltworts: karadzha-cherkez, kevreik, biyurgun, tetyr, gray wormwood. The river valleys are dominated by insular tugai forests (mainly petta poplar, turanga poplar and goose).

Wormwood, saltwort, saxaul, ephemeral and other communities are widespread. The vegetation is very sparse and has a small phytomass, but due to good autumn-winter-spring vegetation, it is able to provide livestock with fodder.

The desert lowlands and foothills of the Kopetdag are characterized by semi-shrub vegetation - southern and gray wormwood and ephemeral forbs. On the foothill plain, in the foothills of the Kopetdag Mountains, on Karabil and Badkhyz, herbaceous vegetation of the ephemeroid type (bulbous bluegrass, desert sedge, ferula) and ephemera are common. In the upper and middle mountain belts (starting from 1000 m and above), on mountain plateaus and gentle slopes, one can see feather grass and couch grass steppes; at altitudes above 1500 m, juniper forests are found.

The gorges of the Western Kopetdag are rich in wild fruit trees and shrubs (grapes, apple, hawthorn, cherry plum, almond, pomegranate, walnut, fig, pistachio). On Badkhyz, there is a woodland of pistachios. Most of the desert is used (if grass grows) as year-round pastures.

Animal world

Animals are well adapted to existence in deserts. Many of them are nocturnal, some can go without water for a long time and are distinguished by the ability to run fast over long distances. There are 91 species of mammals, 372 species of birds, 74 species of reptiles and about 60 species of fish in the country.

Of the large mammals, it should be noted such animals as the goitered gazelle, argali, jackal, wolf, dune cat, steppe cat, corsac fox; from rodents - gerbils, ground squirrels and jerboas; from reptiles - agamas, monitor lizards, efa, gyurza, snake-arrow, steppe boa constrictor, cobra, steppe tortoise; from birds - saxaul jay, larks, desert raven, sparrows; from invertebrates - beetles, scorpions, spider-karakurt, phalanxes.

In the foothill zone, along with a rich fauna of reptiles and rodents, there is an abundance of bird fauna: crested lark, hoopoe, grouse, little bustard, kite, black vulture, griffon vulture, etc. In the mountains there are wolves, foxes, leopards, argali, bezoar goats, markhorn goats, wild cat; birds - pheasant, keklik, Caspian mountain turkey (ular), etc.

In Badkhyz there are kulan, argali, goitered gazelle, hyena. In the Amu Darya valley - wild boar, Bukhara deer (hangul); from birds - pheasant, etc. In the Amu Darya itself there are thorn, barbel, asp, carp, false shovelnose, etc .; In the Karakum Canal and reservoirs, as well as in the Amu Darya, introduced herbivorous fish are common - grass carp and silver carp. There are many waterfowl along the banks of the reservoirs.

Attractions

Turkmenistan is the center of magnificent, unique architectural masterpieces of the past. Mausoleums erected over the graves of the most prominent people, so common in our country, have become traditional in the Islamic world since the 9th-10th centuries. The indisputable pearl among them is the mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar in the old city of Merv, the architecture of the Merv ensemble of the 15th century is interesting. - the mausoleum of askhabs, companions of the prophet Muhammad. The mausoleum of Astana-baba, full of secrets, is admired, near which you can always meet pilgrims.

On the territory of modern Turkmenistan there are a number of large architectural monuments:

Old Nisa - a palace and temple complex of the times of the Parthian state, I - III centuries. BC.
New Nisa is an ancient settlement with dwellings of slave owners and a large natural zone of the 1st - 18th centuries.
Fortress Geok-tepe (XIX century)
Parau is a medieval settlement with the mausoleums of Parau-bibi, Parau-ata of the 12th century.
Dehistan is a historical region in the west of Turkmenistan, consisting of a large cemetery Mashat with the Shir-Kabir mausoleum of the 10th century. and the ruins of the city of Missirian X-XV centuries.
Abiverd is a medieval city with the ruins of a fortress, a mosque, buildings of the 10th-18th centuries.
Mausoleum of Abu Said Mitkhene XI-XV centuries.
Sarakhs is an ancient settlement with a fortress wall, mausoleums and Abul-Fazl (Sarakhs-baba) and Yarty-Gummez.
Talkhatan-baba - the mausoleum of the XII century. (30 km west of Mary)
- one of the largest archaeological complexes in Central Asia and one of the most important historical and architectural reserves of Turkmenistan.
Ekedeshik - a cave settlement of the early Middle Ages near Tagtabazar, the right bank of the Murgab River.
Astana-baba - a country estate of Omar-Kali, a mausoleum ensemble consisting of a mosque and a tomb (15 km from Atamurat), XII century.
Dayakhaty - caravanserai of the 11th century. (near the city of Turkmenabad).
Darganata - a medieval city and a mausoleum of the 11th-15th centuries.
Izmukshir is an ancient city near Takht with a fortress wall, 1.5 km long.
Kunya Urgench - the remains of the capital of the state of Khorezmshahs with magnificent architectural monuments.
Shahsenem is a medieval settlement with the remains of a mosque.
Devkesengala is a medieval city (to the northwest of Kunya Urgench). It consists of the remains of a magnificent fortress and mausoleums.
Tasharvat - caravanserai (38 km from Balkanabat). Rectangular fortification with a stone wall, inside are the ruins of a residential building.
Mosque "Seyitdzhemaledina" - a masterpiece of Muslim architecture of the XV century.
Gonur Depe

Among the sands of the eastern Karakum, archaeologists have discovered the ruins of monumental fortresses and temples, in size capable of competing with the structures of Assyria and Babylon. In 1992, the huge necropolis of Gonur-Depe was opened. Numerous utensils, mirrors, cosmetic vessels, silver jewelry, alabaster and ceramic vases, and many other items made in the 3rd millennium BC were found in the burials. e.

Banks and currency

The manat (TMM, M), equal to 100 tenge, is the currency of Turkmenistan. Banknotes in denominations of 10,000, 5,000, 1,000, 500, 100, 50, 10, 5, and 1 manat, as well as coins in denominations of 50, 20, 10, 5, and 1 tenge are in circulation. Manat is the only legal tender in the country, however, many goods (jewelry, high quality carpets, etc.) can only be purchased for currency.

Banks are open from Monday to Friday from 09.30 to 17.30.

Currency can be exchanged at banks, hotels and exchange offices (most exchange offices accept only banknotes of new issues and series). It is recommended to take as many small dollar bills as possible with you. There is a fairly extensive black market for currencies, where a clear preference is given to US dollars, however, it is not recommended to exchange money with private money changers due to the high risk of fraud.

Credit cards are accepted for payment only in the office of Vnesheconombank, in some large hotels and restaurants in Ashgabat, as well as in airline offices. It is impossible to pay with them in the province.

Travel checks can only be exchanged at Vnesheconombank (commission 5%) in Ashgabat, the National Bank of Turkmenistan and some other banks that work with them. Preference is given to checks in US dollars. Checks cannot be used in the province.

Useful information for tourists

Being the cradle of many cultures and civilizations, the territory of Turkmenistan harbors many unsolved mysteries, and its natural complexes are extremely diverse, desert and semi-desert living communities of the country are of particular interest.

The Turkmens, themselves excellent riders, for centuries highly valued good horses and considered them their friends. This "passion" has survived to this day, and now horses are one of the main attractions of the country.

Turkmens have many national holidays - in honor of the construction of a house or the birth of a child, in honor of cutting the first hair of a boy, in honor of the first tooth or circumcision holiday, the celebration of the 63rd birthday of a man (“akgoyun”), wedding, hudai-yoly, hunting festival , a holiday when they give a name, and many others. All these ceremonies are very colorful and take place according to centuries-old folk rules, so visiting such an event for a tourist is a great success.

To export carpets from Turkmenistan, it is necessary to obtain a certificate from the Carpet Museum in Ashgabat that the carpet has no historical value. In addition, you will have to pay a tax depending on the size of the carpet.

Republic of Turkmenistan.

The name of the country comes from the ethnonym of the people - the Turkmen.

Capital of Turkmenistan. Ashgabad.

Turkmenistan Square. 448100 km2.

Population of Turkmenistan. 4603 thousand people

Location of Turkmenistan. Turkmenistan is a state in the Middle. In the north it borders with and, in the east - with Uzbekistan and, in the south - with Afghanistan and. Washed in the west.

Administrative divisions of Turkmenistan. It is divided into 5 velayats (regions), 37 etraps (districts).

Form of government of Turkmenistan. Republic.

Head of State Turkmenistan. President elected for a term of 5 years.

Supreme legislative body of Turkmenistan. Majlis (unicameral parliament), whose term of office is 5 years.

The supreme executive body of Turkmenistan. Government.

Major cities of Turkmenistan. Turkmenbashi, Turkmenabad, Dashkhovuz, Ne-bitdag.

State language of Turkmenistan. Turkmen.

Religion of Turkmenistan. 87% are Muslims, 11% are Orthodox.

Currency of Turkmenistan. Manat = 100 tenesi.

Turkmenistan. Most of the country's territory is occupied by the Karakum desert. The climate is sharply continental, with hot and dry summers and cold winters. The average temperature in January is -4°С, in July - +28°С. ranges from 80 mm per year in the northeast to 300 mm per year in the mountains.

Flora of Turkmenistan. In the mountains, the flora has more than 2000 species, there are also juniper forests. amaze with abundant spring herbs, when poppies, irises, tulips bloom. There are thickets of almonds, wild roses, pistachio woodlands. Tugai forests grow. The vegetation is mostly desert (saxaul, kan-dym and other shrubs).

Fauna of Turkmenistan. The animal world is represented by species characteristic of the area: monitor lizard, cobra, several species of lizards (including geckos), caracal. Turkmenistan is inhabited by 91 species of mammals, among which are rare ones - kulan, snow leopard, leopard, argali, saiga; 372 species of birds. Rivers and lakes. The main river is the Amu Darya. The largest lake is Sarykamysh.

Sights of Turkmenistan. The ruins of the caravanserais of Kyz-Kala and Da-yakhatyn, the mausoleum of Astana-baba, the mausoleum of Abu-Said, the mausoleum of Tekesh, the Talkhatan-baba mosque, the Art Museum. Of the natural attractions, the Bakharden cave with a huge underground lake Kou-Ata is known.

Useful information for tourists

Being the cradle of many cultures and civilizations, the territory of Turkmenistan harbors many unsolved mysteries, and its extremely diverse, desert and semi-desert living communities of the country are of particular interest.

The excellent riders themselves, for centuries, highly valued good horses and considered them their friends. This "passion" has survived to this day, and now horses are one of the main attractions of the country.

TURKMENISTAN, the Republic of Turkmenistan, a state in Central Asia. It borders with Kazakhstan in the north, Uzbekistan in the north and east, Iran and Afghanistan in the south. In the west it is washed by the Caspian Sea. From 1924 to 1991, Turkmenistan was part of the USSR as a union republic (the Turkmen Soviet Socialist Republic). The independence of Turkmenistan was proclaimed in October 1991.

terrain relief

Most of the territory of Turkmenistan is located within the Turan lowland. The Karakum desert (“black sands”) occupies the middle part of the republic. Rocky and gravelly deserts prevail in the west, sandy deserts in the east. Mountains and hills are confined mainly to the southern periphery of the country. Only 3% of the area of Turkmenistan is suitable for agriculture.

The Kopetdag mountain system is located in the extreme south of the country (the highest point is Mount Rize, 2942 m). Its northeastern continuation is the low remnant mountains Small Balkhan (up to 777 m) and Bolshoi Balkhan (Mount Arlan, 1881 m). To the north of the Kopetdag, a piedmont plain extends, turning in the west into the vast Caspian lowland. Near the coast of the Caspian Sea, a small Krasnovodsk plateau stands out (up to 308 m). In the northwest, the southern edge of the Ustyurt plateau enters the borders of Turkmenistan with heights up to 400–460 m.

In the extreme south of the country are the Badkhyz and Karabil uplands with maximum heights of 1267 m and 984 m, respectively. These are the foothills of Paropamiz, which continue on the territory of Afghanistan. In the extreme southeast, the Kugitangtau mountains rise with the highest point of Turkmenistan, Mount Airybaba (3139 m).

Climate

The country's climate is arid continental with large temperature fluctuations, low rainfall and high evaporation. Summers are usually hot and dry, with average July temperatures of 28–32°C. Winters are mild, with little snow, but in some years there are heavy, but short-term snowfalls and temperatures can drop to -20°C. Average January temperatures range from -5°C in the north-east of the country to +4 ° C in the south. The average annual rainfall is approx. 80 mm in the middle reaches of the Amu Darya, 150 mm in the Karakum Desert, 200–300 mm in the foothills and intermountain valleys, and over 400 mm in the mountains. Hot dry winds and dust storms are typical for the plains.

Water resources

Almost the entire territory of Turkmenistan, with the exception of the southeastern and southwestern outskirts, does not have a permanent surface runoff. The largest river Amudarya, fed by ice and snow in the Pamir mountains, enters the territory of Turkmenistan in its middle course. From this river to the west, the Karakum Canal (now named after Turkmenbashi) with a length of over 1000 km is diverted. In addition to rivers, it is also fed by groundwater. In the south of the country, three significant rivers - Murgab, Tejen and Atrek - receive snow and rain food in the mountains of Paropamiz and Kopetdag (on the territory of Afghanistan and Iran). A number of small rivers with spring-rain supply also flow down from the Kopetdag and other medium-altitude mountains. In spring, the water levels in the rivers are the highest, in some years there are severe floods. In summer, many rivers become shallow and dry up. Even such of them as Tejen and Murgab are left without water in the lower reaches. Usually rivers end with the so-called. "irrigation fans" - small sleeves and artificial channels through which water is passed to the irrigation fields. The main reason for the shallowness of the rivers is the large amount of water used for irrigation, but a significant part of the river runoff also enters the groundwater and is spent on evaporation. There are numerous oases along the rivers and canals.