# Turkmenistan

> country in Central Asia

**Wikidata**: [Q874](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q874)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkmenistan)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/turkmenistan

## Summary
Turkmenistan is a sovereign state and landlocked country located in Central Asia. It officially came into existence on October 27, 1991, replacing the Soviet Union, and operates as a presidential system with Ashgabat as its capital. The nation is a member of the United Nations and numerous international organizations, with Serdar Berdimuhamedow currently serving as both head of state and head of government.

## Key Facts
- **Classification**: Turkmenistan is a sovereign state, a country, and a landlocked country.
- **Location**: It is situated in the continent of Asia, specifically within Central Asia.
- **Independence**: The country was established on October 27, 1991.
- **Capital City**: Ashgabat is the capital of Turkmenistan.
- **Area**: The total area is 491,210 square kilometers.
- **Population**: As of 2021, the population is approximately 6,117,933.
- **Currency**: The official currency is the Turkmenistan new manat.
- **Government**: It functions as a republic with a presidential system.
- **Head of State**: Serdar Berdimuhamedow (since March 19, 2022); preceded by Saparmurat Niyazov (until December 21, 2006).
- **Official Language**: Turkmen is the official language; other languages used include Northern Uzbek and Chagatai.
- **Time Zone**: The country observes UTC+05:00 (Asia/Ashgabat).
- **International Codes**: ISO 3166-1 codes are TM (alpha-2) and TKM (alpha-3); the numeric code is 795.
- **Borders**: It shares borders with Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, and Iran.
- **Geography**: The highest point is Aýrybaba (3,139 meters), and the lowest point is the Turan Depression (-81 meters). Water covers 4.9% of the area.
- **Literacy**: The literacy rate is 99.6% (as of 2012).
- **Driving/Rail**: Traffic drives on the right, and railway traffic runs on the right.
- **Dialing Code**: The telephone country code is +993.
- **Internet Domain**: The top-level internet domain is .tm.
- **VAT**: The standard VAT rate is 15%.
- **Emergency Number**: The emergency phone number is 112.
- **Electrical Standards**: Mains voltage is 220 volts at a frequency of 50 Hz; plug types include NEMA 5-15, Q1123613, and Europlug.
- **Public Holiday**: Melon Day is a recognized public holiday.
- **HDI**: The Human Development Index was 0.745 in 2021.

## FAQs
**What is the geographical location and size of Turkmenistan?**
Turkmenistan is a landlocked country in Central Asia covering an area of 491,210 square kilometers. It is bordered by Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, and Iran, with coordinates centered approximately at 39°N latitude and 60°E longitude.

**Who are the current leaders of Turkmenistan?**
Serdar Berdimuhamedow serves as both the head of state and head of government, having assumed office on March 19, 2022. The legislative bodies include the National Council of Turkmenistan (preferred) and the Assembly of Turkmenistan.

**What international organizations does Turkmenistan belong to?**
Turkmenistan is a member of the United Nations (since 1992), the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. It is also part of international financial institutions like the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the Asian Development Bank.

**What is the population composition and demographic data?**
The country had a population of 6,117,933 in 2021. Demographic data from 2022 indicates a female population of 3,244,911 and a male population of 3,185,860, with a life expectancy of approximately 69 years.

**What are the economic and infrastructure characteristics?**
Turkmenistan uses the Turkmenistan new manat as its currency and has a VAT rate of 15%. Infrastructure includes a right-hand driving system, a mains electricity supply of 220V/50Hz, and a telephone country code of +993.

## Why It Matters
Turkmenistan plays a significant role in Central Asian geopolitics due to its strategic location bordering Afghanistan and Iran, as well as its vast energy reserves, implied by its membership in organizations like the Asian Development Bank and energy-related partnerships. Following its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, it established itself as a neutral, sovereign state, becoming a member of the United Nations and engaging in diplomatic relations with major global powers including the United States, Russia, and China. Its unique cultural heritage and status as a landlocked nation influence its trade routes and regional cooperation efforts within frameworks like the Commonwealth of Independent States and the Organisation of Turkic States (observer status).

## Notable For
- **Geographic Extremes**: Features the Aýrybaba peak at 3,139 meters and the Turan Depression at -81 meters below sea level.
- **Flag Evolution**: The national flag has undergone several changes, with the current version adopted on January 24, 2001, following versions from 1992–1997 and 1997–2001.
- **Cultural Holiday**: Celebrates "Melon Day" as a distinct public holiday.
- **High Literacy**: Achieved a literacy rate of 99.6% as of 2012.
- **Unique Identification**: Uses specific ISO and ITU codes (TKM, TM, 795) and has a dedicated Unicode character (🇹🇲).
- **Diplomatic Relations**: Maintains a wide network of diplomatic relations, including specific ties with Saudi Arabia, Belarus, Serbia, and Taiwan.

## Body

### Geography and Location
Turkmenistan is defined as a landlocked country located in the continent of Asia, specifically within the region of Central Asia. It covers a total area of 491,210 square kilometers, with water constituting 4.9% of this area. The country's geographic center is roughly located at latitude 39 and longitude 60. It shares its borders with Kazakhstan to the north (Kazakhstan–Turkmenistan border), Uzbekistan to the northeast and east (Turkmenistan–Uzbekistan border), Afghanistan to the southeast (Afghanistan–Turkmenistan border), and Iran to the south (Iran–Turkmenistan border).

The terrain is diverse, featuring the highest point in the country at Aýrybaba, which rises to 3,139 meters. Conversely, the lowest point is the Turan Depression, situated at -81 meters. The northernmost point is at coordinates 42.78°N, 58.63°E, while the southernmost point is at 35.129°N, 62.306°E. The easternmost point is located at 37.921°N, 66.707°E, and the westernmost point at 41.764°N, 52.452°E. The country is coextensive with the "Asia/Ashgabat" timezone zone.

### Government and Politics
Turkmenistan operates as a sovereign state under a republic and presidential system. The foundational text of the nation is the Constitution of Turkmenistan. The country officially came into existence on October 27, 1991, replacing the Soviet Union. The head of state and head of government is currently Serdar Berdimuhamedow, who assumed both roles on March 19, 2022. He was preceded by Saparmurat Niyazov, who served until December 21, 2006. The office held by the head of state and government is the President of Turkmenistan.

The legislative body of the country is the National Council of Turkmenistan, which is the preferred designation, alongside the Assembly of Turkmenistan. The age of majority is set at 16 years, and the marriageable age is also 16 for all genders. Politically, Turkmenistan is characterized as a "not-free country" according to the Freedom in the World index. The Democracy Index score was 1.66 in 2021, placing it at rank 161.

### Demographics and Society
As of 2021, Turkmenistan has a population of 6,117,933. Demographic breakdowns for 2022 show a female population of 3,244,911 and a male population of 3,185,860. The country has an urban population of 3,440,076 and a rural population of 2,990,694 (2022 estimates). Life expectancy has shown a steady increase, reaching approximately 69 years in the period from 2019 to 2022, up from 63.41 years in 1999.

The official language is Turkmen, while other languages in use include Northern Uzbek and Chagatai. The literacy rate is exceptionally high at 99.6% (2012 data). The population is identified by various demonyms, including "Turkmen," "Turkmenistani," "Turkmène," and forms in Arabic (تركماني), Russian (туркменистанец), and Hebrew (טורקמני).

### Economy and Infrastructure
The economy of Turkmenistan utilizes the Turkmenistan new manat as its official currency. The Central Bank of Turkmenistan serves as the nation's central bank. The standard VAT rate is 15%, and the unemployment rate was recorded at 10% in 2014. The country is part of the World Customs Organization and the International Chamber of Commerce.

Infrastructure includes a mains electricity voltage of 220V at a frequency of 50Hz. Accepted electrical plug types include NEMA 5-15, Europlug, and type Q1123613. The transport system dictates driving on the right side of the road and railway traffic on the right. License plate codes use "TM". The telephone country code is +993, and the top-level internet domain is .tm. The emergency number for services is 112.

### International Relations and Organizations
Turkmenistan maintains an active presence in the international community. It joined the United Nations on March 2, 1992. It is a member of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (joined January 30, 1992) and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (joined 1992). The country also participates in the Commonwealth of Independent States and has observer status in the Organization of Turkic States (since 2021).

Additionally, Turkmenistan is a member of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (joined 1992), the International Finance Corporation (1997), the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (1993), and the Asian Development Bank (2000). It engages with Interpol (since 2005), the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (1997), UNESCO (1993), and the Universal Postal Union (1993). The country is also a party to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.

Diplomatic relations are established with numerous countries, including Saudi Arabia, Belarus, Serbia, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, France, Malaysia, the United States, Russia, Iran, Bangladesh, India, Georgia, Germany, North Korea (since 1992), and the People's Republic of China (since 1992).

### Culture and Symbols
Turkmenistan's national symbols include the flag and the emblem (coat of arms). The current flag has been in use since January 24, 2001, preceded by versions from 1997–2001 and 1992–1997. The emblem was updated on August 25, 2003. The national anthem is the "National anthem of Turkmenistan."

The country celebrates specific public holidays, including "Melon Day." The culture of Turkmenistan is a recognized topic of study, and the nation has various identifiers in library and museum catalogs globally, such as the Library of Congress authority ID (n91129790) and the Getty Thesaurus of Geographic Names ID (7006659).

### Administrative Divisions
Administratively, Turkmenistan contains several entities, including the capital city of Ashgabat. It is divided into the Ahal Region, Balkan Province, Daşoguz Region, Lebap Region, and Mary Region.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.workwithdata.com/place/turkmenistan)
2. Constitution of Turkmenistan
3. Virtual International Authority File
4. CiNii Research
5. [Source](https://data.iana.org/time-zones/tzdb-2021e/asia)
6. [Source](https://www.oic-oci.org/states/?lan=en)
7. [Interpol](https://www.interpol.int/Member-countries/World)
8. [Source](https://www.interpol.int/Who-we-are/Member-countries/Asia-South-Pacific/TURKMENISTAN)
9. [Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons](https://www.opcw.org/about-opcw/member-states/)
10. [Source](https://www.opcw.org/about-us/member-states/turkmenistan)
11. [Source](http://www.unesco.org/eri/cp/ListeMS_Indicators.asp)
12. [Source](http://www.upu.int/en/the-upu/member-countries.html)
13. [Source](https://www.upu.int/en/Universal-Postal-Union/About-UPU/Member-Countries?csid=-1&cid=310)
14. [Source](https://www.itu.int/online/mm/scripts/gensel8)
15. [Source](https://public.wmo.int/en/members/turkmenistan)
16. [Source](https://www.who.int/choice/demography/by_country/en/)
17. [Source](https://www.wcoomd.org/-/media/wco/public/global/pdf/about-us/wco-members/list-of-members-with-membership-date.pdf)
18. [Source](https://www.ncnk.org/sites/default/files/content/resources/publications/NCNK_Issue_Brief_DPRK_Diplomatic_Relations.pdf)
19. Integrated Authority File
20. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
21. [Source](https://unstats.un.org/unsd/methodology/m49/)
22. FIPS 10-4
23. MusicBrainz
24. [Human Development Report. 2022](https://hdr.undp.org/data-center/human-development-index#/indicies/HDI)
25. [Overall total population – World Population Prospects: The 2019 Revision. United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs](https://population.un.org/wpp/Download/Files/1_Indicators%20(Standard)/EXCEL_FILES/1_Population/WPP2019_POP_F01_1_TOTAL_POPULATION_BOTH_SEXES.xlsx)
26. World Bank Open Data
27. [Source](https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SI.POV.GINI?locations=TM)
28. [Source](http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS)
29. [Source](http://cnig.gouv.fr/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/CNT-PVM_r%C3%A9vis%C3%A9_2020-01-27-1.pdf)
30. [Source](https://tm.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/dual-citizenship/)
31. [Source](https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/turkmenistan/)
32. The National Terminology Database for Irish
33. [Source](https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/freedom-world-2017)
34. [Source](http://chartsbin.com/view/edr)
35. [UNESCO Institute for Statistics](http://data.uis.unesco.org/Index.aspx?DataSetCode=DEMO_DS)
36. [World Plugs](http://www.iec.ch/worldplugs/list_bylocation.htm)
37. UMLS 2023
38. [Source](http://otif.org/fileadmin/user_upload/otif_verlinkte_files/06_tech_zulass/05_Reglementation_en_vigueur/Neu_ab_01_01_2015/UTP_MARKING_2015_e_in_force.pdf)
39. [Source](http://uic.org/country-codes)
40. [Source](https://countrycodebase.com/undp/)
41. [土库曼斯坦（Türkmenistan） - 知乎](https://www.zhihu.com/topic/20007233/hot)
42. [UNESCO Institute for Statistics](http://data.uis.unesco.org/index.aspx?queryid=239)
43. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)
44. [Gazetteer](https://github.com/EnvironmentOntology/gaz/blob/master/src/ontology/gaz_countries.csv)
45. [UNICEF. 2013](https://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/Turkmenistan_statistics.html)
46. [Turkmenistan | Today's latest from Al Jazeera](https://www.aljazeera.com/where/turkmenistan)
47. [Source](https://islamansiklopedisi.org.tr/turkmenistan)
48. iNaturalist
49. Golden
50. 2020 Democracy Index