Turkmenistan

Annexed by Russia between 1865 and 1885, Turkmenistan became a Soviet republic in 1924. It achieved independence upon the dissolution of the USSR in 1991. Extensive hydrocarbon/natural gas reserves could prove a boon to this underdeveloped country if extraction and delivery projects were to be expanded. The Turkmenistan Government is actively seeking to develop alternative petroleum transportation routes to break Russia's pipeline monopoly. President for Life Saparmurat NIYAZOV died in December 2006, and Turkmenistan held its first multi-candidate presidential electoral process in February 2007. Gurbanguly BERDIMUHAMEDOV, a former NIYAZOV aide, emerged as the country's new president.

Languages & Population

Approximate Population: 5,097,028 (July 2007 est.)

Nationality (Noun): Turkmen(s)

Nationality (Adjective): Turkmenistani

Official Language(s): Turkman

Major Languages Spoken: Russian, Turkman, Uzbek

Country Facts

Country Name (long form): none

Country Name (short form): Turkmenistan

Country Name (local long form): none

Country Name (local short form): Turkmenistan

Name of Capital: Ashgabat (Ashkhabad)

UTC Time Difference (from capital): UTC+5 (10 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Countries Near by, and Bordering Turkmenistan: Iran, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Afghanistan

Land Area: 488100 sq km

Comparative Area: slightly larger than California

Total Land Boundry: 3,736 km

Coastline: 0 km; note - Turkmen

National Holiday: Independence Day, 27 October (1991)

International Phone Code: 993

Currency Code: Turkmen manat (TMM)

Internet Country Code: .tm

US Embassy Location: No. 9 1984 Street (formerly Pushkin Street), Ashgabat, Turkmenistan 774000

US Embassy Mailing Address: 7070 Ashgabat Place, Washington, DC 20521-7070