{"id":39295,"date":"2023-05-22T16:52:29","date_gmt":"2023-05-22T13:52:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/turkmenistan-the-capital-and-other-cities\/"},"modified":"2023-05-22T16:59:56","modified_gmt":"2023-05-22T13:59:56","slug":"turkmenistan-the-capital-and-other-cities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/en\/turkmenistan-the-capital-and-other-cities\/","title":{"rendered":"Turkmenistan: The capital and other cities"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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About Turkmenistan<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Historical
Ancient cities in Turkmenistan.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

As a land with a deep-rooted past, Turkmenistan today is one of the independent Turkic states. Having been under the rule of the Sassanid, Seljuk, and Timurid empires, Turkmenistan was annexed by the Russian Empire in 1881 and became a constituent republic of the Soviet Union after the First World War. Turkmenistan became an independent state in 1991. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Where is Turkmenistan?<\/b><\/h3>\n
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Turkmenistan shares borders with Kazakhstan, Iran, Uzbekistan, and Afghanistan; the country\u2019s western border is along the Caspian Sea. <\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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Turkmenistan\u2019s capital and other cities <\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Turkmenistan\"
Ashgabat, Turkmenistan<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s take a look at the capital of Turkmenistan and its other cities as we begin our exploration of the country\u2019s history and nature and its many interesting places to visit!\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Turkmenistan\u2019s capital city: Ashgabat<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Ashgabat\"
Turkmenistan\u2019s capital city is Ashgabat.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ashgabat, Turkmenistan\u2019s capital city, is the nation\u2019s commercial and cultural center. Also known as the \u2018City of Love\u2019, Ashgabat is built in an oasis at the edge of the Kopet Mountains (Kopet Dag) and the Karakum Desert. The city also features an important international airport. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ashgabat, an ideal starting point for a first-time visit to Turkmenistan, is home to many of the country\u2019s most notable monuments and statues, including the Constitution, Akhal Teke, Independence and Neutrality (Arch of Neutrality) monuments. Also in Turkmenistan\u2019s capital city highlights are the T\u00fcrkmenba\u015fy Ruhy Metjidi (Mosque), also known as the Gypjak Mosque, the \u00c4rtogrul Gazy Mosque (Ertu\u011frul Gazi Mosque) and the Ashgabat National Museum of History. In addition, the capital features Republic Square, Independence Square, and Atat\u00fcrk Square.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rich in underground resources<\/b>: Balkanabat<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Balkanabat\"
Balkanabat, Turkmenistan.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An exploration of Turkmenistan\u2019s cities must include Balkanabat (formerly Nebit-Dag, which means \u2018oil mountain\u2019). Approximately 425 km west of Ashgabat, Balkanabat was renamed for Turkmenistan\u2019s Uly Balkan mountain range. An industrial city housing most of Turkmenistan\u2019s oil and natural gas production, Balkanabat was established as a station along the Trans-Caspian Railway and features a grid plan. The city\u2019s highlights include the Monument to the Desert Explorers (Caravan Monument), the Gozli Ata Mausoleum, Yangykala Canyon and the Ruins of Ancient Dehistan. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Explorable: Dashoguz<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Dashoguz\"
K\u00f6ne\u00fcrgench, Dashoguz<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Another city popular among visitors to Turkmenistan is Dashoguz. Located in the country\u2019s north, Dashoguz is the capital of Dashoguz province. It is bisected by the Shavat Canal and experienced its most significant growth after the 1950s. The city is fairly close to the Uzbekistan border. The province of Dashoguz includes Kunya-Urgench, a UNESCO World Heritage Site \u2013 about a three-hour drive from Dashoguz city, the site was the former capital of Khorezm, a powerful medieval kingdom later conquered by the Achaemenid Empire. It contains numerous structures dating from the 11th to 16th centuries. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Dining in Turkmenistan<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Turkmen
Manty (dumplings), among the most famous dishes of Turkmenistan cuisine. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Shaped by the nomadic-steppe culture of Central Asia, Turkmenistan\u2019s cuisine is known for its pastries and meat dishes. Game animals such as partridges and wild geese, and deer and rabbits also have a prominent place in Turkmenistan\u2019s culinary traditions. Some well-known Turkmenistani dishes include: \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n