Introduction to Turkmenistan
Geographical Features
Turkmenistan is located in Central Asia and boarders the Caspian Sea. Iran and Afghanistan boarder the south of Turkmenistan while Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan boarder the North. Turkmenistan is a desert country, dry and arid, with dunes that grow to mountains toward the southern boarder. Turkmenistan is one of the least densely populated countries among the central Asian states (nearly 50% of its population lives in or near the capital city) and much of the land is used for agriculture, specifically for pasture. Natural Resources
Turkmenistan is rich in natural resources. Among these are petroleum, natural gas, sulfur and salt. It is estimated that Turkmenistan has the sixth largest natural gas reserve in the world (Stratfor 2019). In spite of the inconsistency and lack of reliability on the part of the Turkmen government, other countries are still eager to do business with Turkmenistan owing to its wealth in oil and gas (Export.gov 2019). Foreign Relations
As stated in the previous section, foreign countries take a keen interest in Turkmenistan for its natural resources. Russia is eager to maintain its relations with Turkmenistan, while the US and the UK have made efforts to establish trade relations and provide English education toward the end of assisting business transactions between US and Turkmen companies. However, Turkmenistan is very hesitant to enter into foreign relations, and has attempted to remain as non-involved in international affairs as possible since its independence. Current Government
Turkmenistan's government is widely regarded as authoritarian. Upon gaining independence in 1991, Saparmyrat Niyazov named himself president. Using anti-Russian sentiment, Niyazov sought to craft a new Turkmen identity, which he could then manipulate to maintain power. Niyazov punished anyone who failed to "be Turkmen enough" and showed Russian sympathies. He held elections in which he would prohibit anyone else from running, and declared himself "president for life". Upon Niyazov's death in 2006, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow rose to power, and has continued with many of Niyazov's policies. |
Statistical Information
Ethnicities
Languages
Religions
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