Turkmenistan

Asia
Central Asia, bordering the Caspian Sea, between Iran and Kazakhstan.

40 00 N, 60 00 E

President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow

Capital
Ashgabat

Government
Presidential republic Single-party state

Religion
Muslim 89%, Eastern Orthodox 9%, unknown 2%.

Population
4,940,916

Ethnic group
Turkmen 85%, Uzbek 5%, Russian 4%, other 6%.

National Language                   
Turkmen
          
National Day
27 October 1991 (from the Soviet Union)

Anthem
Independent, Neutral, Turkmenistan State Anthem

Currency
Turkmen new manat (TMT)

Attractions
Merv Ruins 

Website

Art & Cultural

The ICON

Merv Ruins       Merv , formerly Achaemenid Satrapy of Margiana, and later Alexandria and Antiochia in Margiana (Greek: Αντιόχεια της Μαργιανής), was a major oasis-city in Central Asia, on the historical Silk Road, located near today's Mary in Turkmenistan. Several cities have existed on this site, which is significant for the interchange of culture and politics at a site of major strategic value. It is claimed that Merv was briefly the largest city in the world in the 12th century. The site of ancient Merv has been listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site