Question 1

What is the population of Turkmenistan?

Accepted Answer

The population of Turkmenistan is approximately 6.1M.

Question 2

How do greetings and the calendar work in Turkmenistan?

Accepted Answer

Greetings are shaped by turkmenchilik, the combination of adat (customary law), sherigat (Islamic law) and edep (proper etiquette). Note that Turkmenistan uses renamed months and weekdays alongside the world calendar. Months were renamed, e.g. January is Turkmenbashi, March is Novruz, September is Rukhnama Weekdays were renamed, e.g. Monday is Bash Gyun (main day) and Sunday is Dynch Gyun (rest day); Friday (Anna Gyun) is unchanged

Question 3

What is dining like in Turkmenistan?

Accepted Answer

Meals center on meat from camels, cows, goats and sheep, along with dairy products, and round flatbread is a staple at most meals. Try dograma, a thick soup of diced bread, lamb, onions, tomatoes and spices Expect butters, creams and yogurts made from animal milk

Question 4

What etiquette should travelers know in Turkmenistan?

Accepted Answer

Conduct is guided by turkmenchilik, which emphasizes hospitality toward guests and respect toward elders. Do: Show respect toward elders Expect and honor generous hospitality when hosted When visiting, food such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, sweets and tea is spread on a sachak (large cloth) on the floor before the meal

Question 5

How should you dress in Turkmenistan?

Accepted Answer

Traditional clothing is worn mostly in rural areas, while urban men often wear western-style clothing; western-style clothing is considered immodest for most women. Traditional male dress includes the telpek (high, hairy sheepskin hat in brown, black or white) and long deep-red robes with wide sleeves Traditional female dress includes a long dress, a long head scarf and a red robe called a kurte

Question 6

What is family life like in Turkmenistan?

Accepted Answer

Extended families are the norm and many families have five or more children, with the youngest son responsible for his parents' welfare. Many marriages are still arranged, though the couple usually knows each other A galyng (bride price) is paid from the groom's family to the bride's family

Question 7

What do people do for fun in Turkmenistan?

Accepted Answer

Soccer (fotbal) is the most popular sport among young men, horse racing is very popular, and visiting friends is a favorite pastime. The horse symbolizes the Turkmen spirit and appears on the state seal Many urban Turkmen own summer houses for vacations

Question 8

What is the capital of Turkmenistan?

Accepted Answer

Ashgabat (also spelled Ashkhabad) is the capital and largest city of Turkmenistan. Situated near the Iranian border in the south of the country, it serves as the political, cultural, and economic center of the nation. The city is notable for its striking white-marble architecture, much of it built during the tenure of longtime authoritarian leader Saparmurat Niyazov and his successor, reflecting the government's ambitions of projecting national prestige.

Question 9

Where is Turkmenistan located?

Accepted Answer

Turkmenistan is located in Central Asia, occupying a stretch of territory between the Caspian Sea to the west and the Amu Darya river basin to the east. It is one of five former Soviet republics in the region and is largely dominated by the vast Karakum Desert, which covers roughly 70 percent of the country's total area. Its remote, landlocked position has historically limited its integration with global trade and diplomatic networks.

Question 10

What countries border Turkmenistan?

Accepted Answer

Turkmenistan shares land borders with five countries. To the north and northeast it borders Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan; to the southeast and south it borders Afghanistan and Iran. To the west, Turkmenistan is bounded by the Caspian Sea, which it shares with Kazakhstan, Russia, Azerbaijan, and Iran. This geography places the country at a crossroads between the former Soviet sphere and the broader Middle East and South Asian regions.

Question 11

What is the main religion practiced in Turkmenistan?

Accepted Answer

Islam is the dominant religion in Turkmenistan, practiced by approximately 89 percent of the population, the majority of whom are Sunni Muslims. Eastern Orthodox Christianity accounts for roughly 9 percent, primarily among the country's ethnic Russian minority. Religious practice is shaped by the traditional code known as turkmenchilik, which blends Islamic law, customary Turkmen law, and rules of proper etiquette—governing hospitality, respect for elders, and tribal identity.

Question 12

What is the currency of Turkmenistan?

Accepted Answer

The official currency of Turkmenistan is the Manat, with the ISO code TMM. The manat has been subject to strict government controls in line with the country's heavily state-managed economy, which is underpinned by vast reserves of natural gas. Currency exchange and financial transactions remain tightly regulated, and the official exchange rate has historically diverged significantly from rates available on the informal market.

Question 13

What language is spoken in Turkmenistan?

Accepted Answer

Turkmen is the official state language and is spoken by approximately 72 percent of the population. It belongs to the Oghuz branch of the Turkic language family and is closely related to Turkish and Azerbaijani. Russian remains widely used in urban areas and commerce, spoken by around 12 percent of the population, while Uzbek accounts for approximately 9 percent, reflecting the presence of a significant Uzbek ethnic minority in the eastern regions of the country.

Question 14

What is Turkmenistan known for?

Accepted Answer

Turkmenistan is particularly renowned for the Akhal-Teke horse, an ancient breed developed in the southern desert regions of the country and prized for its speed, endurance, and distinctive metallic coat sheen. Originally bred as a warhorse, it is today raced internationally and considered a national symbol. Horse mummies found in a Scythian royal burial in Russia have been attributed to this breed, pointing to its exceptional antiquity. The country is also one of the world's largest holders of natural gas reserves, home to the dramatic Darvaza gas crater—a burning subsurface cavern in the Karakum Desert—and known for its intricate hand-woven Turkmen carpets, which carry deep cultural and tribal significance.

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