Turkmenistan Facts & Worksheets

Turkmenistan is a landlocked country that shares borders with Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Iran in Central Asia. It is the second largest state next to Kazakhstan in Central Asia, yet it is one of the least-visited countries in the world. Its capital city is Ashgabat. Islam is the dominant religion in Turkmenistan. Turkmenistan has one of the lowest populations in Asia.

See the fact file below for more information about Turkmenistan, or you can download our 26-page Turkmenistan worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

ETYMOLOGY

• The name Turkmenistan has two identifiable components: “Turkmen”, referring to people who are Turks, and the suffix “-stan”, which means “place of” or “country”.
• When those two words are combined, it literally means “Land of the Turkmen.”
• The country was called the Turkmen Soviet Socialist Republic prior to its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.

FLAG OF TURKMENISTAN

• The flag of Turkmenistan is dominantly green, with three other colors: white, red, and gold. 
• The current version of Turkmenistan’s flag was adopted on January 23, 2001.
• Turkmenistan used to have an official flag that was mostly red and blue, similar to those of all other Soviet Republics.
• There is a vertical red stripe at the hoist side, containing two crossed olive branches and five intricate carpet patterns.
• Beside the stripe is a white waxing crescent moon, which symbolizes hope for a better future.
• In the upper corner of the moon are five white five-pointed stars, which are believed to represent one or all of three things: Turkmenistan’s five provinces, namely Ahal, Balkan, Dashoguz, Lebap, and Mary; the five senses; or the five states of matter, namely liquid, solid, gas, crystal, and plasma.

GEOGRAPHY

• Turkmenistan is a landlocked country in Central Asia, with no ocean, but is bordered by the Caspian Sea to the west.
• It shares borders with Kazakhstan to the northwest, Uzbekistan to the northeast, Afghanistan to the southeast, and Iran to the south.
• Turkmenistan is the 52nd-largest country in the world at 488,100 square kilometers.
• 70% of Turkmenistan is desert.
• The central terrain of Turkmenistan consists mostly of the Karakum Desert, a flat-to-rolling sandy desert, and the Turan Depression, a low-lying desert basin. 
• Mount Aýrybaba is Turkmenistan’s highest point.

CLIMATE

• Since Turkmenistan mostly consists of deserts and plains, it has a dry continental climate.
• The northern regions of Turkmenistan have shorter summers and colder winters with more snow.
• Southern regions have hotter summers and milder winters.

DEMOGRAPHICS

• Turkmenistan’s total population is over 6.5 million, according to data updated by the United Nations as of 2023.
• Ethnic Turkmen make up most of Turkmenistan’s citizenship.
• There are Uzbeks, Russians, Kazakhs, and Tatars that make up the smaller minorities.
• The official language of Turkmenistan is Turkmen, which is somewhat related to Turkish.
• Islam is the dominant religion in Turkmenistan, with about 93% of the population being Muslim.
• The second dominant religion is Russian Orthodox.

HISTORY

• In 550 BCE, Indo-Iranians were historically known as one of Turkmenistan’s early inhabitants. 
• In the 8th century CE, the Turkic-speaking Oghuz tribes migrated from Mongolia to today’s Central Asia. 
• In the 10th century, the groups of the Oghuz tribe who accepted Islam as their religion were known as Turkmen. 
• These Islam Oghuz groups played an important role in spreading the Turkic culture wherever they migrated.
• In the 12th century, the Seljuk Empire, which was composed of present-day Iran and Turkmenistan, was overthrown by the Turkmen.
• In the 13th century, Mongols took control of the northern lands where the Turkmen settled. 
• During the 16th and 18th centuries, there was a rift between Turkmen nomadic groups.
• In the early periods of the 19th century, Turkmen from the North became the established military and political power in the Khanate of Khiva.
• Late in the 19th century, forces from Russia started to invade Turkmen territory. 
• In 1879, The politically influential Teke Turkmen defeated the Russian forces. 
• In 1881, however, during the Battle of Geok Tepe, Russia retaliated with a campaign that saw the fall of the Teke Turkmen tribe. 
• In the 1920s, Turkmen joined forces with Kazakhs, Kyrgyz, and Uzbeks in what has been dubbed the Basmachi Rebellion towards the then newly formed Soviet Union.
• In the next half-century that followed, Turkmenistan played a pivotal economic role under the Soviet Union. 
• In 1990, as a nationalist response to Moscow’s exploitation, the Supreme Soviet of Turkmenistan declared sovereignty. 
• In 1991, the Soviet Union was abolished, yet Saparmurat Niyazov remained its Chief of State. 
• In 1992, Niyazov was declared as President. 
• Then, in 1999, due to the abolishment of a 1994 referendum and legislation, Niyazov was declared President for Life until his sudden death in 2006. 
• October 27, 1991, marks the Independence Day of Turkmenistan – the day when the country adopted the Independence and Foundation of Turkmenistan after 70 years under the Soviet Union.

GOVERNMENT

• Turkmenistan is a presidential republic, with the President serving as both head of state and head of government.
• Turkmenistan is dominated by authoritarian rule.
• The country had a Soviet-era constitution until a new one replaced it in 1992.
• The new constitution established a strong executive branch of government and legislative and judicial branches.
• The incumbent president of Turkmenistan is Serdar Berdimuhamedow, as of September 2023.
• The country is divided into five provinces called “welayats”, namely Ahal, Balkan, Daşoguz, Lebap, and Mary.
• Cotton growing, oil pressing, and carpet making are also major contributors to Turkmenistan’s economy.
• Turkmenistan is also rich in salt, iodine, sulfur, bromine, mirabilite, and potassium deposits.
• Turkmenistan is the top producer of silkworm cocoons in Central Asia.

CULTURE AND CUISINE

• Turkmen men wear a traditional hat called “telpek” or “mekan telpek”, which are large sheepskin hats associated with their nomadic heritage.
• A staple dish in Turkmenistan is the plov, which is pan-fried rice mixed with meat, carrots, and spices.
• “Melon Day” is celebrated annually in August because Turkmen melons are distinctively sweet.
• The production and consumption of horse meat is banned in Turkmenistan, making it the only country in Central Asia to have that law.
• The most popular book in Turkmenistan is the Ruhnama written by Saparmurat Niyazov, the president of Turkmenistan from 1990 to 2006.
• The Akhal-Teke horse is its national animal.

SITES AND LANDMARKS

• Turkmenistan is home to the largest sand deserts in the world.
• Turkmenistan’s capital, Ashgabat, is in the Guinness Book of World Records for having the highest density of marble buildings.
• Turkmenistan is home to several Silk Road cities, such as the Merv which used to be the world’s biggest city and is now one of the oldest oasis cities in Central Asia.
• Nisa is the ancient capital of the Parthian Kingdom.
• Kunya-Urgench, a UNESCO Heritage Site, was the center of learning for Islam.
• Gonur Tepe is one of the most ancient settlements, dating back to the Bronze Age.
• Turkmenistan’s carpets are so famous and valued that the country has its own Carpet Museum in Ashgabat.
• The Darvaza gas crater, also known as the “gate of hell”, burns continuously in the desert as a result of a mistake made by Soviet geologists who were drilling for natural gas in 1971.

Turkmenistan Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about Turkmenistan across 26 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about Turkmenistan. It is the second largest state next to Kazakhstan in Central Asia, yet it is one of the least-visited countries in the world. Its capital city is Ashgabat. Islam is the dominant religion in Turkmenistan. Turkmenistan has one of the lowest populations in Asia.

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

1. Turkmenistan Facts
2. Land of the Turks
3. Locating the Land
4. History Lane
5. Cite Truths About Sites
6. Capital Info
7. Coherent Thought
8. Deck of Country Cards
9. Trivia Search
10. Support for Turkmenistan
11. Center of Asia

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the capital of Turkmenistan?

The capital of Turkmenistan is Ashgabat.

What type of government does Turkmenistan have?

Turkmenistan is a presidential republic with a single-party system. The country’s political system is characterized by strong presidential authority.

What is the official language of Turkmenistan?

The official language of Turkmenistan is Turkmen.

What is the major industry or economic activity in Turkmenistan?

Turkmenistan’s economy is heavily dependent on the production and export of natural gas. It has one of the world’s largest natural gas reserves and relies on gas exports as a primary source of revenue.

What are some notable landmarks or attractions in Turkmenistan?

Some of the notable landmarks and attractions in Turkmenistan include the Arch of Neutrality, the Monument of Independence, the Turkmenbashi Ruhy Mosque, and the ancient city of Merv, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its historical significance.

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