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 The capital: Ashgabat city

Turkmenistan is located in the south-west of Central Asia . Bounded by the Caspian Sea in the west and the Amu-Darya river to the east, Turkmenistan covers 488,100 sq. km, the second largest Central Asian republic after Kazakhstan . To the south it is fringed by the Kopet Dag range that forms a natural border with Iran and father south-east with Afghanistan . To the north-west Turkmenistan shares the border with Kazakhstan and to the east with Uzbekistan .

80% of Turkmenistan 's territory is taken up by the waterless sandy desert of Kara Kum (“Black sands”). The desert fills the entire central region of the country. There are four rivers. The biggest and the most full-flooded Central Asia's river is the Amu-Darya that flows in the east along the border on Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan . The small Tejen and Murgab rivers run off the eastern slopes of the mountains and vanish in the desert. It is only the Atrek River that flows into the Caspian Sea . The Kopet Dag range abounds in numerous mineral streams flowing in the valleys. Population of Turkmenistan 7 million (approx. 4 % annual growth). The desert occupying four-fifth of the territory, Turkmenistan is sparsely populated. The population density makes just 10 people per square kilometer. The main areas of population are concentrated in the oases. The country is mainly inhabited by the Turkmen who make 80% of the population. There are also the Russians (2%), Uzbeks (9%), Kazakhs (2%), Ukrainians, Tatars and others.

Climate

Strong continental with hot dry summers (rarely below 35 degrees Celsius and sometimes up to 45-50 degrees Celsius in July and August) and mild winters. Turkmenistan enjoys an annual average of 250 days of sun. Rain is expected in early spring and in late autumn. Sandstorms are a regular occurrence during the changing of the seasons

Language Turkmen (Russian is widely used in communication).

Currency the manat. 50, 100, 500, 1,000, 5,000 and 10,000 manat notes are in circulation now

Administrative division Turkmenistan is divided into five provinces of Akhal, Balkan, Dashoguz, Mary and Lebap.

Religion Islam and Russian orthodoxy.