Turkmenistan

Turkmenistan, which over its long history came under the rule of almost every great power of the East, is today a sovereign state. It lies in Central Asia and borders Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Afghanistan and Iran. It has no access to the open ocean, but the Caspian Sea lets its people hear the sound of the waves without leaving home.

The country covers 491,200 square kilometres, 80% of it desert. Far less fertile than its neighbours, it is nevertheless one of the world’s leading producers of natural gas. Its population is over 7 million.

Hot Turkmenistan is a fascinating part of Central Asia. The great dynasties of Asia and Persia left a captivating legacy of splendid palaces, mosques and caravanserai ruins. A golden statue of the first president that rotates to follow the sun will show you what a personality cult looks like in the 21st century. The country is famous for its impressive historic sites, such as ancient Merv and the ruins of the Parthian city of Nisa. Its capital, Ashgabat, is a modern city with striking architecture and a lively cultural scene.

Turkmenistan has a dry continental climate with large temperature swings and little rain. Summers are usually hot and dry, with an average July temperature of 28-32 °C. Winters are mild with little snow, although some years bring heavy but short snowfalls and temperatures can drop to -20 °C. Average January temperatures range from -5 °C in the northeast to +4 °C in the south. The extremes may sound alarming but are very rare, and the sea makes the coastal areas very pleasant for a holiday.

A feature of the local climate is the northerly wind, which brings cold air from the Kazakh steppes in winter, while in summer hot winds from the mountain slopes cause sandstorms and dry spells.