Turkmenistan is a state in Central Asia. It is located in the southern part of the region and borders on the following countries: Afghanistan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan.
The country has a small coastline on the Caspian Sea in the west of the country. This is the only body of water washing Turkmenistan.
Most of the country is located in the Karakum Desert. The form of government is a presidential republic. The head of state is the president. Capital Ashgabat.
Climate. The climate in the country is continental and desert with hot summers and cold winters. The summer months are very hot, with temperatures rising above 50°C, and winters can be cold, especially in the central and northern regions. Temperatures in winter drop to -10°C. the country is one of the driest places on the planet. Precipitation is very low, especially in the southern desert regions, and much of the country experiences long periods of drought, and strong gusts of wind can cause dust storms and blow sand out of deserts.
Number. The estimated population for 2022 was 7,057,841.
Language. The official language is the Turkmen language. In addition to the Turkmen language, Russian is widely spoken. Young people often use English.
Education and medicine in the country are controlled by the state, and in these areas there is a system that provides citizens with access to basic services. However, it is worth noting that there are some limitations in both areas.
Education in Turkmenistan includes primary, secondary and higher education. Education is compulsory and free at the primary and secondary levels for all citizens. Higher education also exists and there are a number of universities and institutes in the country that provide higher education. But the state closely controls the education system, and curricula and textbooks are subject to state censorship.
The healthcare system provides basic healthcare services to citizens free of charge or at minimal cost. There are also private medical clinics that provide a wider range of services and have a fee basis. The capital Ashgabat and other major cities have modern medical facilities, but in remote areas access to medical care can be severely limited. The quality of medical care depends on the region and the entire medical infrastructure requires improvement.
In general, the political situation and government policies greatly influence access to education and health care in Turkmenistan.
Turkmenistan is a secular state with a formal separation of religion and state. The Constitution of Turkmenistan guarantees freedom of religion and recognizes the religious rights of citizens. It also prohibits the use of religion for political purposes. However, the country maintains strict controls over religious organizations and practices. Religious groups must register with the government, and unregulated religious activity may be subject to restrictions. The country has a religious freedom law that sets rules and requirements for religious communities and organizations. The state seeks to maintain the secular nature of society and control religious organizations.
The general economic situation in the state is quite difficult. Turkmenistan's economy has long been focused on energy and natural resources, making it vulnerable to fluctuations in the prices of these goods on the world market. The industrial and manufacturing sector remained limited and the country was largely dependent on imports for many goods. The country creates obstacles for private enterprise and foreign investment in the form of a high degree of government control. Also, Turkmenistan has problems in the field of human rights and press freedom, which in turn affects the business environment and investment.
Turkmenistan has unique natural resources and cultural heritage. The most famous natural attraction is the Karakum Desert, which is a vast sandy landscape with magnificent dunes. There is the Caspian Sea and mountains offering picturesque scenery and hiking opportunities, and Lake Karabogazgol in western Turkmenistan is a salt lake that serves as a migration site for a variety of bird species and offers excellent bird watching opportunities. Historical monuments, nature reserves, rich cultural heritage.
With the right reforms, the country has the potential for growth and development, as it has rich reserves of natural gas and exports it to various countries. But the main advantage of the country is its people. Hospitality is an important part of Turkmen culture, and the locals are all friendly and always willing to help visitors.
