Turkmenistan sharing border with Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan and Iran is a desert country taken up by the Kara-Kum (Black Sand) Desert. The capital Ashgabat devastated by the earthquake in 1948 is now a modern city. Wander through the Sunday bazaar of the capital city, one of the largest and best known in the world, where one can purchase anything from carpets to camels.
The opera, ballet and drama theatre showing Russian and European works are part of the cultural life. Ride atop a camel or gallop on the famed Akhal-Teke horses across the Karakum desert. "Plov" - chunks of mutton, shredded yellow turnips and fried rice cooked in large wok is a well-known local speciality.
Language: Turkmen
Currency: manat (M)
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- Merv - Sultan Sanjar's mausoleum
- Konye-Urgench - a handful of ancients buildings well worth visiting.
- Turkmenbashi - a relaxing spot for a day or two, with hiking into surrounding mountains.
- Repetek Desert Reserve - with a visitors' centre, museum and herbarium
- Gaurdak - mountainous landscape with interesting gorges, waterfalls and cave complexes.
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