География
Turkmenistan is one of the five countries in Central Asia and the second largest country among them (the total square of Turkmenistan is 488 100 km²). Turkmenistan is situated in south-west part of Central Asian region in desert area, northerly Kopetdag ridge between Caspian Sea on west and Amudarya River on east. Turkmenistan has borders with Kazakhstan on north, with Uzbekistan on north-east and east, with Afghanistan on south-east, with Iran on south and its natural border on west represents Caspian Sea. Turkmenistan is the flattest country of Central Asia. Almost quarter of the territory lies in borders of Turan lowland, which is mainly occupied by Karakum desert. Narrow zone of hills and medium-altitude mountains is stretched on south of the country. On southern part of the country situated Kopetdag mountains (Riza mount.2942m); two ridges to north-west from Kopetdag mountains: Small Balkhan (777m) and Big Balkhan (1881m). The northern foothills of Paropamiz enter the territory of the country on south-west – Badkhiz hill (1267m) and Karabil hill (984 m), which are divided by Murghab River. The spur of Hissar Moiuntain Ridge Kugitangtau (3139m) is placed on far south-west and it is the highest point of the country. Krasnovodsk plateau (308 m) is situated on west and southern part of Ustyurt plateau – on north-west. The largest rivers of Turkmenistan are Amudarya – 1415 km, Tedjen – 1150 km, Atrek – 669 km, Murghab – 530 km.
Климат
The climate of Turkmenistan is sharp continental and dry. The average temperature in winter time is +4̊C in southern regions of country and -5̊C in north-eastern regions; in desert regions the temperature may fall to -22̊C. In summer time the average temperature may reach +28̊C on north-east and +34̊C on south (though in mountain area it may be not higher than +17̊C). In central desert area the temperature at day time may reach +50̊C, but after the sunset it falls to +14̊C - +18̊C. The precipitation is from 80mm a year on north-east of the country and to 300-400 mm in mountain area. Autumn begin in the second decade of September on north and in the beginning of October on south. The rainfalls start in the second half of October and the average temperature becomes lower day by day. Winter starts in the first decade of December on north, but on south it may start even one month later. In winter time the temperature in central and northern regions may fall below -20̊C - -25̊C, but such a cold weather lasts not so long and it changes for warm weather just as quickly. Sometimes in winter time the average temperature keeps in the range of +5̊C - +6̊C. Spring comes quickly and rapidly, as the temperature increases fast from the second half of February and in March usually the temperature reach +20̊C - +25̊C. But the precipitation in the beginning of the season may reach 15-20mm a day and not rare the dry weather may change for snowfall (it is so called “apricot snow”, because it destroys the harvest of apricot trees, which blossomed during warm weather). In summer time the weather doesn’t change at all and the temperature reaches +25̊C - +30̊C in the morning and evening, +40̊C - +42̊C – at daytime and +20̊C - +25̊C at night. The weather remains dry and hot day by day and week by week during 4-5 months.
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National Holidays
January 1 – New Year
New Year is one of the most popular holidays in Turkmenistan. It is widely celebrated as in other soviet republics. But it is important to note that New Year in Turkmenistan is celebrated twice on January 1 in European style and on March 21in orient style. New Year celebrated in January 1 – is secular holiday remained from soviet times with the inherent attributes of the holiday. On New Year mass celebrations around New Year tree with Father Frost and Snow-Maiden are held in all cities and villages.
January 12 – Memorial Day
Memorial Day is a mourning day on those who died on January 12 in 1881 during the defense of Geok-Tepe fortress (near Ashgabat). On this day in 1881 Russian Army under the leadership of M.D. Skobelev assaulted Geok-Tepe fortress and since December of 1990 on order of first President of Turkmenistan this day was announced as a holiday. All Turkmen people commemorate all people who gave their lives for the right to live on their native land according to national customs and traditions. On Memorial Day people pay tribute to their courage, bravery and selfless love to motherland. Memorial Mosque named after Saparmurat Niyazov was built on the territory of Geok-Tepe fortress, where the prayer in the memory of heroes is held every year on January 12.
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February 19 – State Flag of Turkmenistan Day
The Day of State Flag is widely celebrated in Turkmenistan. A lot of different ceremonies and shows are held on this holiday. On December 26 in 1994 the first president signed a decree “about State Flag of Turkmenistan”, where he announced that February 19 is a State Flag of Turkmenistan Day. The State Flag of Turkmenistan is green cloth with vertical red-vinous stripe and white crescent with five white stars in the left upper corner. Five national Turkmen carpet ornaments of five Turkmen tribes (“gyols”) are depicted on stripe and these ornaments are the state symbolic of Turkmenistan.
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March 8 – International Women’s Day
Domination of family values is typical for Turkmenistan and traditionally the role of woman is important and respected. They surrounded by utmost care and honoring, they are respected and considered as the crown of creation and main value of country. Women in Turkmenistan have equal rights with men and in some cases they even have more privileges and benefits. They take respectable place in family, public and state life. During 7 years this holiday was celebrating on March 20 - 22 along with Novruz holiday and it was called the National holiday of spring and women of Turkmenistan from 2001 to 2008. In 2008 new president of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimukhamedov signed a decree about changes in codex of labor laws and returned International Women’s Day on March 8.
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March 20 - 21 – Novruz – National Holiday
Novruz Bairami (day of vernal equinox) is one of the most ancient agricultural holidays. It symbolizes the end of winter and coming of spring, renewal of nature and the beginning of new agricultural cycle. Novruz holiday got status of state holiday in 1992. It is considered, that in these days begins a new agricultural year, and therefore people prepare and put on holiday table national meals cooked from wheat: halva, sweet flour products and molt porridge. But the main place takes the meal prepared from wheat sprouts – “semene”. On Novruz holiday Turkmen people visit their friends and relatives, young people go to festivities in the evening.
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May 9 - Victory Day
Turkmen people from the first day of fascist Germany attack in June of 1941 rose for defense of motherland. National economy of the republic was restructured on work for needs of front. Thousands of people, who were evacuated from temporarily occupied districts of the country, found work and shelter in Turkmenistan. Turkmen army bravely fought on many fronts of the Great Patriotic War – under Moscow, Stalingrad, Caucasus, Kursk Bulge, and Ukraine, in countries of Eastern Europe and in Germany. According to the data 300 thousand Turkmen people took a part in battles of war. Eighty six thousand soldiers and officers of Turkmen Republic died during war and they were announced as National Heroes of Turkmenistan according to the decision of the head of the country. Their names are listed in Memory Book and seventy eight thousand people were awarded by orders and medals, besides 112 people became the heroes of Soviet Union.
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Last Sunday in May – Turkmen Carpet Day
Turkmen Carpet Day is celebrated on last Sunday of May. It was established and had got state status in 1992. It is held in the only Museum of Turkmen Carpet in the world in Ashgabat, where exhibited more than two thousand exhibits with rare showpieces among them. The main idea of this holiday is renaissance, preserving and creative development of traditions of Turkmen carpet-weaving. A lot of activities on popularization of national art of carpet-weaving and on attraction of new generation in this filed are held on the holiday. As in the past Turkmen people were nomadic so they used some carpets for house warming, other as a furniture and bed, for transportation of things, yurt covering, for horses and camels covering etc. Nowadays Turkmen carpets may be compared with Venetian glass, Brussels lace, Cuban cigars.
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Second Sunday in August - Turkmen Melon Day
Every year in the second Sunday of August all people of Turkmenistan, especially melon growers and market traders celebrate Turkmen Melon Day (Gawun bayramy in Turkmen language). This holiday was established by the first president of Turkmenistan Saparmurat Niyazov in 1994. During several millenniums Turkmen people grow melons and gourds, including sweet, juicy and fragrant melons. More than 1,6 thousand sorts of melons, which are grown in different parts of the world, are described in present time. More than 400 sorts among them are the sorts of Turkmen melons, created by local breeders. “Queen of plantation” – is the name of melon in Turkmenistan – poets devote poems, writers devote stories and essays, artists painted it on still-life and landscape paintings.
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September 1 – The Day of Knowledge
Turkmen people celebrate the Day of Knowledge, student youth and first school bell on September 1. Thousands of first-grader will go to school and universities of Turkmenistan will be filled by new students. The holiday is celebrated on the highest state level. Wide scale reform was conducted by the president of Turkmenistan in sphere of education – nowadays this matter “number one” in a life of Turkmen society. Education is one of the key factors, which determines the future of the country. Characteristic feature of new times became the construction of new schools and preschool institutions equipped with latest technology and comfortable health center and children centers for the rest.
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October 6 - Day of Commemoration
Day of Commemoration and National mourning is celebrated in Turkmenistan on October 6. In the night from October 5 to October 6 at 1:12 in 1948 occurred an earthquake, which destroyed beautiful city and its suburbs. About 100 thousand people died in earthquake, but different sources call the number of victims from 100 to 170 thousand people. The epicenter of power 9-10 balls on the Richter scale was near Kara-Gaudan approximately 25 kilometers away on South-West from Turkmen capital Ashgabat. All buildings in Ashgabat were destroyed instantly. The city was rebuilt again. UNESCO declared this earthquake as one of the most destructive cataclysms of 20th century. October 6 is a day off in Turkmenistan and this day people put flowers and wreaths on the memorial of victims who died because of earthquake.
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October 27-28 – Independence Day
Massive people festivities are usually held on the Independence Day of Turkmenistan. There is a tradition - to award outstanding people of Turkmenistan – art workers, sportsmen and politicians. A military parade, traditional firework, concerts and performances, devoted to this holiday are held on the central square of Ashgabat. The 27th and 28th of October are the days off. After gaining independence Turkmenistan started its own development in very difficult economic and social conditions, as during many years Turkmenistan was a part of Soviet Union and its directivity was based on extensive exploring of nature resources, besides it was depended on import of different goods, producing of which could be done and currently implemented in Turkmenistan. However the economics of Turkmenistan was stabilized and Independence Day is considered as the holiday of peoples and nations
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First Saturday in November - Health Day
Health day was established by the order of former president of Turkmenistan Saparmurat Niyazov in 2000 in the first Saturday in November and it is widely celebrated around the whole country. The program of holiday includes numerous activities, massive cultural and sport events, competitions in various kinds of sport, combining ideas of healthy lifestyle of thousands people. For Ashgabat residents Healthy Day is connected with the climbing on mountains on “Healthy path of Leader” – 36 km staircase, built on order of former president in the foothills of Kopet Dag mountain. This tradition is also supported by current president of Turkmenistan – Gurbanguly Berdimukhamedov. The stimulation of massive physical-health improving movement and sport achievements are listed in priority tasks of Turkmenistan politics. Also “National program of support and development of physical training and sport in Turkmenistan” is established by president of the country.
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December 12 – Day of Neutrality
Peoples’ festivities and celebration concerts are held in Turkmenistan in the Day of Neutrality on December 12. General Assembly of UN adopted a resolution, where its members supported the idea of Turkmenistan to become the country with the status of permanent neutrality, on 50th session in 1995 on December 12. According to the existing international law definitions, neutrality of Turkmenistan is: origin — recognized as evidenced by a resolution of the UN General Assembly on the Permanent neutrality of Turkmenistan", by Islamabad Declaration at the end of the third summit of heads of state and governments of the Economic Cooperation Organization (15 March 1995), the Final document of the 11th conference of heads of state and government of the non-aligned Movement (October 20, 1995, Cartagena, Colombia); the form — permanent, i.e. not limited in time and applicable both in wartime and in peacetime; the content — positive or constructive, which implies an active position of States in relation to the support of peace and stability, development of friendly relations and cooperation among States.
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Moving Holidays – Oraza and Kurban Bayram
Oraza bayram is holiday which signifies the end of 30-days fasting and holy month of Ramadan. According to tradition people usually receive guests, cook meals, devoting it to the souls of dead relatives and friends, visit relatives and friends, help poor and disadvantaged people, wish everyone peace and prosperity. Muslims celebrate Eid al-Fitr with hopes for a bright and productive life. According to Islamic tradition, this sacred festival strengthens faith in the good beginning of life, multiplies the strength of the Muslims in their desire to live a righteous life.
Kurban Bayram (Eid al-Adha) holiday or the day of sacrifice is usually celebrated from the early morning. Muslim people (men) go to mosque for morning pray, making full ablution, wearing new and clean clothes beforehand, besides it is not recommended to eat before the pray. After finishing the prayer they come back home, but sometimes they gathering on the street and sing glorification of Allah (takbir). Then they gathering again to listen to preaching (sermon) and after that Muslim people usually go to the graveyard to pray for dead people. Returning from the graveyard they start a sacrificial rite and making immolation people cook it for family and relatives, besides they should give this meat to poor and hungry people too. These ritual treat – “khudoyi” or “sadaka” is made for avoiding from different misfortunes and illnesses.
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Currency
The official currency of Turkmenistan is – Manat. During period of Independence Turkmen Manat had a lot of modifications from 1993 to 2014 years. Nowadays in circulation are banknotes in denominations of 10000, 5000, 1000, 500, 100, 50, 10, 5 and 1 manat and coins in 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1 tenge. The manat is the only legal tender on the territory of the country, however, many goods (jewelry, fine carpets, etc.) can only be purchased for foreign currency. Banks are open Monday to Friday from 09:30 to 17:30. Currency can be exchanged at banks, hotels and exchange offices. Credit cards are accepted for payment only in the office of “Vnesheconombank”, in some large hotels and restaurants in Ashgabat, as well as in the offices of the airlines. It is impossible to pay by cards in provinces.
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Internet
The first Internet service provider in Ashgabat was created Turkmen company "Turkmentelekom". After the election of President Gurbanguly Berdimukhamedov, the Internet started to develop rapidly. The access to such popular sites as "YouTube", "Facebook", "Twitter", "LiveJournal", kremlin.ru, as well as WhatsApp, Wechat, Viber are blocked in Turkmenistan. In addition, many foreign companies working in Turkmenistan, lost access to their corporate networks. Users who have registered their sites in foreign hosts, also have similar problems. The internet is strictly censored, many opposition websites are also blocked. Many anonymizers have been blocked in early February in 2012 with which it was possible to visit blocked websites. Also Opera mini is blocked for cell phones. It also blocks the possibility of downloading Opera mobile and UC Browser as their proxies cannot be blocked. The residents of Turkmenistan popular site is "My world@Mail.Ru".
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Post
Turkmen post is the official post operator in Turkmenistan. Turkmen national post was organized in October in 1991, as before it was the post of Soviet Union. Post service, as a communication system develops in Turkmenistan rapidly. The increasing interest in postal communication in the country has led to an increase in the volume of provided enterprise services to improve their quality.
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Telephone and Emergency numbers
Telephone communications in Turkmenistan is carried out in GSM format. There is one GSM cell operator "Altyn Asr", which is functioning nowadays and it is a monopoly, in 2010 the company serviced more than 500 thousand users. In 2010 the company "MTS-Turkmenistan" became the leader with 2.4 million users, however, on December 21 in 2010, MTS suspended the provision of telecommunications services. On 30 August 2012 the "MTS-Turkmenistan" resumed their work and started to provide mobile services for residents of Turkmenistan.
Emergency numbers
“01” (Fire Service)
“02” (Police Service)
“03” (Ambulance)
“04” (Gas Service)
Resuscitation Ambulance 392007
Traumatic surgery 390538
The fracture clinic 391566
Neurosurgery 354635
Traffic police 342727