ABOUT TURKMENISTAN |
REPUBLIC OF TURKMENISTAN |
Elaborately woven, bright crimson carpets created by the delicate
hands of nomadic tribal women have become the artistic symbol of
Turkmenistan, a country of sweeping deserts which played a vital
role in the history of the Silk Road Three centuries before Christ,
the Parthian tribes of horsemen arrived to establish their capital
in Turkmenistan at Nisa When their empire eventually encompassed
much of Central Asia, the Parthians were a power which rivaled Rome
From Nisa, the Parthians controlled the Silk Road and oasis settlements
and trading centers like the region's harsh desert cities of Merv
and Serakhs Ruins of these ancient sites, excavated and studied
by international teams of archaeologists, can be visited and enjoyed
today Turkmenistan later gained fame throughout Central Asia for
producing the skilled and fierce nomadic tribes men who rode out
on raids to seize the riches of the passing caravans These days
more benign tribal customs such as hospitality are making Turkmenistan
famous.
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What to See |
- The Ancient City of Merv is one of the oldest inhabi ted
sites in Central Asia At one point in its history, Merv was
called"The Pearl of the East" Razed by the Mongols it was rebuilt
over the centuries and today five distinct cities cover 130
square kilometers
- Serakhs was a Silk Road oasis on the route from Nishapur
in nearby Persia to Merv and was in its heyday from the 10th
to 12th centuries Once known for its architectural wonders,
Serakhs now boasts the mausoleums of Abul-Fazy, Yarti-Gumbez
and Shiekh Lokman
- Kunya-Urgench was the capital of old Khorezm, which in the
8th century was the largest indepen dent Muslim state in Central
Asia At one point in its history the city was called Gurgenj
and flourish ed as a stopover on the Silk Road artery to Russia
Today, pre Mongol monu ments and ruins of mauso leums, minarets
and fort resses attract visitors.
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How to Get There |
Turkmenistan's capital Ashgabat has regularly
scheduled air links with London, Frankfurt, Moscow, Abu Dhabi New
Delhi Karachi, Tehran, Istanbul and other regional foreign cities
Tourists can also enter the country at the Caspian Sea port of Turkmenbashi
Within Turkmenistan there is air service to provincial cities from
the capital All Silk Road sites are served by air rail or road transport.
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Where to Stay |
There is a network of modern hotels around the country with
nine five star establishments for 648 people, three four star hotels
for 53 people and two two star hotels which can accommo date 91
people There are also more modest facilities Ashgabat's better hotels
have conference facilities.
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Other Important Sites |
- Mashad-Misrian, an ancient oasis and trading center on the
Khorezm-Persia route, is now a jumble of ruins of fortress walls
and towers, mos ques, mausoleums and minarets Recently discovered
remains of three caravanserais from the 11th to 12th centuries
attest to the city's mercan tile past
- Annau Fortress is near the capital and boasts 15th century
ruins
- The Medieval City of Abiverd was an important trading post
from the 5th to the 7th centuries
- Daja-Khatm Caravanserai is a remarkable structure dating from
the 13th century
- Amul Fortress dates from the 15th century and is located near
Chard) ev
- The Ancient Settlement of Parau is centred around Kizil-Arvat
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Location |
The Republic of TURKMENISTAN occupying over 717, 300
sq. km, is the Turkmenistan lies in the very center of the Central
Asia. This Location predetermined historically its great geopolitical
importence on the major transasian lines of communication between
the East and the West. Turkmenistan border with Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan,
Iran and Afganistan. |
Relief |
Turkmenistan covering vast territory is notable for
the extremely diverse relief: from high snowy mountains to steppes,
semidesert and desert. The lowest place in the World, situated in
the West.
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Klimate |
Climate of Turkmenistan is sharp continental.
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Population |
Turkmenistan is a multinational state. There are
over 5 million inhabitans in Turkmenistan today. Turkmen make 48%,
Russia 30%, other nationalities (over 100) 22%.
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Language |
Turkmen and Russia, the official landuage of the
country, belongs to the TURK group. Russan remains the language
of the interethnic communication.
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Religion |
Multinationality of the state determines a divirsity
of religions. The main ones are Islam & Christianity.
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Capital |
The city of ASHGABAD with the population of 600 thousands
is the capital of Turkmenistan. Ashgabad was founded as a Russia
garrison town three days after the killing of 20000 Turkmens at
GeokTeppe in 1881, and was hit by earthqake's in 1893, 1895 and
1929. In 1948 the earthquake completely destroed the city and killed
110, 000. |