Turkmenistan is a Central Asian Caspian-Sea state, mostly covered by the Karakum desert, with vast natural-gas reserves and a famously isolated, marble-clad capital, Ashgabat.
Geography & landscape
Turkmenistan sits in Central Asia, in the northern hemisphere of Asia. With an area of approximately 488,100 km², it is a mid-sized country, set in the northern hemisphere and exposed to the temperate climate band typical of its latitude. Its capital, Ashgabat, lies near coordinates 40°, 60°.
The country shares the cultural and geographic context of Asia, with neighbouring states and trade routes shaped by its position in the wider Central Asia region. Topography, watersheds and coastline (where present) define the practical realities of agriculture, settlement and transport across Turkmenistan.
People & society
The population of Turkmenistan is around 6.4M. Communities, dialects and customs vary by region, and the country’s sense of identity is shaped by its history, its borders and the everyday rhythms of its towns and cities.
The official language is Turkmen, used in government, education and most public life. Regional dialects, minority languages and immigrant communities add further linguistic texture.
Government & politics
Turkmenistan is structured as a presidential republic. Political authority is exercised through institutions based primarily in Ashgabat, with the head of state and head of government performing constitutional roles defined by the country’s legal framework. Domestic policy, foreign relations and the administration of public services all flow from this constitutional core.
Economy & currency
The official currency of Turkmenistan is the Turkmen Manat (TMT). Monetary policy, banking, taxation and trade are managed nationally, often in coordination with regional and international institutions. Major economic activity tends to cluster around Ashgabat and other principal urban centres, with secondary economies built on the country’s natural resources, manufacturing capacity and service industries.
Culture & everyday life
The cultural footprint of Turkmenistan shows up in cuisine, music, sport, religious life, festivals and design. National holidays mark the country’s historical pivots; family meals, café culture and street life follow patterns rooted in geography and tradition. International audiences usually meet Turkmenistan through its sport, its music, its food, or the global diaspora that carries those things abroad.
Travel essentials
The capital, Ashgabat, is the natural starting point for first-time visitors. International dialling uses the country code +993, and clocks are set to the TMT (UTC+5) time zone. ISO standards identify Turkmenistan as TM (alpha-2) and TKM (alpha-3) — useful when booking flights, decoding number plates, or matching customs paperwork. The flag, 🇹🇲, appears at every border post and on every passport.
By the numbers
Sort or filter the table below to compare key metrics at a glance.
| Metric | Value | Unit / Note |
|---|---|---|
| Capital city | Ashgabat | — |
| Continent | Asia | — |
| Sub-region | Central Asia | — |
| Population | 6.4M | people |
| Area | 488,100 | km² |
| Currency | Turkmen Manat (TMT) | — |
| Calling code | +993 | international dialling |
| Time zone | TMT (UTC+5) | standard time |
| Government type | Presidential republic | — |
| ISO 3166 alpha-2 | TM | 2-letter code |
| ISO 3166 alpha-3 | TKM | 3-letter code |
| Latitude | 40 | degrees |
| Longitude | 60 | degrees |
Did you know?
Ashgabat has the highest concentration of white-marble-clad buildings in the world — over 540 buildings clad with 4.5 million m² of marble.
