Central Asia’s Most Closed Country
Turkmenistan is among the world’s most isolated and authoritarian regimes — often compared to North Korea for the level of state control, cult of personality around its leaders, and restricted access for foreigners. The country has been ruled by the Berdimuhamedov family since 2006, when Gurbanguly succeeded the deceased Saparmurat “Turkmenbashi” Niyazov. In 2022, Gurbanguly handed power to his son Serdar.
Despite this, Turkmenistan has the world’s fourth-largest natural gas reserves and has poured billions into bizarre vanity projects — the Darvaza gas crater (Gates of Hell, burning since 1971), Ashgabat’s entirely white-marble city centre (UNESCO record for most marble buildings in one place), and statues of past presidents.
A Brief History
Turkmen territory was historically Persian-influenced, part of the Abbasid Caliphate, Seljuk Empire, and Khorezmian Empire. Russian conquest in the 1870s-1880s; Soviet Turkmenistan from 1924. Independence in 1991 under Niyazov, who renamed months after himself and his mother.
Geography and Climate
Turkmenistan covers 491,210 km², largely desert (the Karakum). Climate extremely hot in summer.
Culture, Language and Religion
Turkmen is a Turkic language. Religion: approximately 89% Muslim (Sunni).
The Economy
Turkmenistan has an upper-middle-income economy (~$70 billion GDP in 2024). Natural gas dominates.
UNESCO Sites
Turkmenistan has 3 UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Ancient Merv, Kunya-Urgench, and the Parthian Fortresses of Nisa.
Travel Guide
Entry: Tourist visas are difficult — usually require pre-arranged tour guide and letter of invitation.
Best seasons: April-June, September-October.
Surprising Facts
- Ashgabat holds the Guinness World Record for most white marble-clad buildings in a single city.
- The Darvaza gas crater has been burning since 1971 — Soviet geologists set it on fire expecting it to burn out in days.
- Former president Niyazov renamed the month of January after himself (Turkmenbashi) and April after his mother.
- Turkmenistan has the world’s fourth-largest natural gas reserves.
- The Akhal-Teke horse — one of the world’s oldest breeds — is Turkmenistan’s national animal.
- Independent journalism is essentially banned; Turkmenistan consistently ranks among the world’s least-free countries for press.
Sources and References
See the frontmatter for cited sources.