Turkmenistan

Geography: Turkmenistan is located in the southwest of Central Asia. Turkmenistan borders with Iran and Afghanistan on the south, with Kazakhstan on the north-west, and with Uzbekistan on the east and north. The eastern border of the country runs through the Caspian Sea. Waterless desert Kara Kum occupies 80 % of country territory; on the south the republic is locked by Kopetdag and Paropamiz mountains. Turkmenistan has huge resources of hydrocarbon fuel. The country rates one of the leading places in the world. Also Turkmenistan is rich in oil, chemicals and some of non-ferrous metals.

Climate: : distinctly continental and dry. Average temperature in January is +4°?, in July + 28°? average, whereas absolute values of temperature in Kara Kum desert reach 48-50°?.

Industry: economy is based on oil and gas production, cotton fabric manufacture and light industries (pre-processing of cotton and wool, silk cocoons, and chemical industry).

Agriculture: cotton growing is the most popular activity. People grow grain (wheat, barley, rice), vegetables and melons and fodder. Sheep breeding (Karakul sheep breeding) is the most popular type of livestock breeding. Cattle, horses and camels are also bred.

National currency: Manat.

Area: 488,1 sq. km.

Population: about 5 million people (July 2003)

Transport infrastructure: Highways 24,000 km; railways 2,500 km

Administrative divisions: 5 provinces and capital city.

Capital: Ashgabat.

Head of State: President.

National Legislature: Khalk Maslakhaty – one-chamber parliament

Languages: Turkmen (official).

Ethnic groups: Turkmen (77%); Uzbek (10%); Russian (8%); Kazakh (2%); and other nations.

Religions: Sunni Muslim, Russian Orthodox.