Turkmenistan official name. Turkmenistan - General Information

Ashgabat, also also Askhabad and Poltoratsk - the capital of Turkmenistan, a separate administrative unit.

According to official estimates on January 1, 2012, 12.7% of the population of Turkmenistan lived in Ashgabat. At the same time, the estimates of the number of the country are not officially published, the population census is scheduled for 2012. The US CIA estimate the population of the country in the amount of 5.0 - 5.1 million people, which makes it possible to assume the population of the city in the amount of up to 650 thousand people. The last official assessment (for 2001) population population was 712 thousand people.

Turkmen in the city make up more than 3/4 of the population (77%). Russian, Uzbeks, Azerbaijanis, Turks, Armenians, Persians, Ukrainians, Kazakhs, Tatars, and more than 100 nationalities also live in the city.

Turkmenistan authorities with the proclamation of independence conducted a massive campaign of renaming and "turkmenization" of the names of settlements. In this regard, the Russian-speaking media of Turkmenistan (including on websites) the capital of Turkmenistan is called Ashgabat, since this form most of all corresponds to the original Turkmen name. The name of the city translated from Persian means the "City of Love".

In Russia, according to the order of the Presidential Administration of the Russian Federation of August 17, 1995, No. 1495 "On the writing of the names of the former republics of the USSR and their capitals", in official correspondence and official negotiations, the capital of Turkmenistan is called Ashgabat.

Through the city runs the railway Turkmenbashi (Krasnovodsk) - Mary - Turkmenabat (Charges).

In 1948 in Ashgabat there was a catastrophic earthquake by force in the epicenal region of 9-10 points, one of the largest on Earth in the XX century. The city was completely destroyed. According to 1/2 to 2/3 of the population of the city, died from 1/2 to 2/3 of the city's population (that is, from 60 to 110 thousand people, as the information about the number of inaccurate residents). The assistance of the peoples of the USSR contributed to the restoration of Ashgabat in a short time.

Turkmenistan is located within the Faughty lowland, most of the territory occupies a Kara-Kum desert. In the south there are mountains of Copetdag (the highest point - Mount Airybab, 3139 m), the elevation of badhiz and carabic. The coastline of the Caspian Sea is severely cut, forming extensive bays, practically separated from the sea - Kara-Bogaz-goals and Redsovodsky. The largest river - Amudarya, irrigating the extreme east of the country, in the south - small-water Murgab and Teden. Water Amudarya is transferred to 1000 km to the southern regions on the Karakum Canal. The climate is sharply continental, arid: the average temperature of January -4 ° C, July 28 ° C, precipitation falls from 80 mm per year in the northeast to 300 mm in the mountains.

The vegetation is mostly deserted (saksaul, candy and other shrubs), almost lifeless vegans are covered with a rare greens for a short time after the rains. In the subgrota plains, rocky and clay holly deserts are common. On the plain there are often tactics, salt marshes. The vegetation of the mountains is more attractive: in the Copetdah (the flora of which has more than 2000 species) there are arhulovniki (juniper forests), Karabil is a hilly steppe, a dry steppe (with abundant spring disintegration, when poppies, irises, tulips and many other herbs are spread ), thickets almonds, rosehip and pistachio palpal. On the valleys of rivers, tugai forests are growing (from the treuran, silver loach and other trees). 91 species of mammals live in Turkmenistan, among which there are rare - Kulana, Snow Bars, Leopard, Arkhar, Saiga; 372 species of birds (including Pelicans and Flamingo), 74 types of reptiles. The animal world is guarded in Badkhaz, Krasnodar and Reteek's reserves. From natural attractions It should be noted the famous Banchandan cave with a huge underground Lake Cow-Ata. In Badhyze, there is a unique natural object - the EP-Oylan-Duz brand, surrounded by 300-meter clay cliffs. The bottom of the hollow is almost entirely occupied by the salted lake and salt marshes, among which low, but colorful cones of ancient volcanoes.

Turkmenistan since ancient times was the area of \u200b\u200bthe human settlement, although the Turkmen ethnical itself was formed only to the XIV-XV centuries. The remains of the ancient civilizations and cities are preserved: Ruins of Merva (vi), Talkhatan-Baba mosque near the coupling, the ruins of the city of Amulu, known since the time of the Parthian kingdom (near Charges), Kunya-Urgench - the Architectural Monument Reserve. Turkmen carpets, silver and semi-precious stones, pottery products, and the pride of Turkmenistan are planted, and the pride of Turkmenistan are the hillocks of the Ahaltegian breed.

Lifestyle

At the heart of the country's socio-political life, including the lifetime of citizens lies the principle of authoritarianity of power. According to the country's leaders, the country has successfully formed a national classless society of a fundamentally new type that does not have analogues in a historical retrospective and in the modern world. This, according to President Niyazov, there is a "society built as a result of a conscious desire for self-determination, in which all its citizens, regardless of age, social status and religion, live with uniform aspirations." In the future, such a social organism is transformed into a "fair, legal society of universal benefits, in which everything will be subject to the well-being and prosperity of a person."

However, in reality the country is noticeable to the rise of Turkmen nationalism and the strengthening of the President's cult. New conceptual approaches are created to study the development of the Turkmen state and its place in the world historical process, the ideology of Turkmenbashism is actively implemented, which, according to the authorities, should underlie the lifestyle of every resident of the country. These ideas are promoted by all media.

The humanitarian sphere is an idea about the exclusiveness of the Turkmen nation, its huge contribution to the development of world culture. This topic is devoted to the works of Turkmen writers and poets, artists and composers, theatrical productions and movies. At the same time, censorship is intensified, designed to minimize consumer access to works that do not fit into the officially established framework, but encouraging the work weak in artistic attitude, but praising the era of the current independent Turkmenistan.

Formally, since the beginning of the current millennium, the lifestyle, the Turkmen is determined by the "Holy Book of Rukhnama", which is the quintessence of the ideas of "Turkmenbashism". This is a peculiar spiritual code that summarizes the life of the state born, as the author emphasizes, "to raise the strength and greatness of the spirit in Turkmen." The work of Turkmenbashi is a study of almost all parties to the life of the Turkmen people and prescribes the "right" norms of life up to behavior in everyday life. The nationalist concept, laid down in Rukhnama, is also a religious color: some of its postulates correlate with the provisions of the Quran and serve as the basis for the approval of the inviolability of the power of the president. The postulates underlying "Rukhnama", something very much resemble the moral code of the builder of communism, where the moral and ideological ideas are based on all parties to the life of the individual.

sights

The cradle of many ancient civilizations and cultures, Turkmenistan pays many mysteries and secrets. Here you can see a large number of unique natural and historical monuments. An amazing desert of the Karakum is considered the main attraction of the mysterious Turkmenistan, in which more than 200 species of plants grows. In addition to the Karakumov, the Caspian Sea coast is considered an important tourist destination, where today a huge number of projects for the construction of entertainment complexes are being implemented.

There are many historical and cultural monuments on the territory of Turkmenistan. The most famous of them are the remains of the ancient cities of Merva and Amul, as well as the Talkhantan-Baba Mosque, the house under the ground in the Takhta Bazar and numerous ancient fortresses and forts. Most tourists pay their attention to the amazing monuments of the history of Turkmenistan - Altyundepe, Nissa, Dechistan, Mausoleum Sultan Sanjar, Nadzhetin carpet and many other facilities.

The capital of Turkmenistan Ashgabat is famous for the entire world of the famous carpet museum. It contains a huge number of samples of these products, manually woven. Not far from the city are the ruins of the capital of the Parthian state - Nissa, which attracts archaeologists and historians from around the world. The hunting residence of the Persian kingdom was once located in Firyuz. Today, this settlement is considered the most popular mountain resort of the country.

Ancient Merv in the Middle Ages was famous as the largest city of Central Asia. The surroundings of this amazing city contain residues of buildings and structures of antiquity. Amazing Mausoleum Sultan Sanjar is striking the imagination with its greatness and unique beauty. The uniqueness of this construction gives the legendary dome, which was erected from two thin brick shells. When visiting Merva, it is necessary to look at the Joint Museum of History, which gathered the most significant finds found during the excavations of the ancient city.

In addition, on the territory of Turkmenistan, many architectural monuments can be seen, for example, Kuny-Urgench, which for the XIII century was "heart" Islam. The stunning town of Gaurdak, located in the foothills of the Pamir, became particularly popular among ecological tourism adherents. The locality around the city retains a whole complex of amazing beauty gorges, caves and waterfalls. The Cugitang Reserve is famous for the huge rock plateau, which preserved hundreds of traces of dinosaurs.

The symbol of Turkmenistan is the famous Akhaltegin stallions. This is graceful, fast and incredibly hardy horses. No wonder these amazing animals are depicted on the coat of arms of the state. You can get acquainted with this breed of horses on the festival of the Turkmen race, which is dedicated to the Ahaltegian stallion. In addition, tourist companies developed almost two dozen equestrian tourist routes on numerous monuments of Turkmenistan.

Kitchen

Turkmen cuisine is quite unusual. It has a lot in common with the kitchens of neighbors - Tajiks, Uzbeks and Karakalpakov. The national cuisine of Turkmenistan includes the traditions of nomadic cattle breeders, agricultural and fishermen of the Caspian Sea.

From a huge variety of types of meat, Turkmen prefer lamb and chicken. Konina residents of the country do not use, most likely, due to the huge role of horses in their lives. Usually, lamb can use Turkmen-tekons and Saryki, and Turkmen-yomuda prefer the meat of mountain goats, young camels and game. Meat in Turkmenistan is boosted, stew, fry and knit. The most popular dish of the local population is "Govorem". This is a canned finely naked roasted meat. Use it both hot and cold. It is worth noting that Turkmen loves to prepare Gara Chorba soup, based on "Zhurorm".

Features of climatic conditions allow the use of Turkmen peoples special ways of cooking meat, which are no longer used anywhere. So, Yomuda rises large pieces of lamb for a special point and leave under the scorching sun for several days. Such dried meat is local residents called "Kakmach".

The main dish of Turkmenistan, of course, is considered pilaf. Its main differences from the dishes of other countries of Central Asia is that the diot meat is used. The greatest popularity has acquired pheasant meat. Turkmen in pilaf add green rice, carrots or uryuk and sesame oil. Here it is customary to serve a pilaf with a grenade sauce and acid plum. Traditional lamb in dishes add only those peoples who live near the Caspian Sea.

Turkmen loves various dairy products. Especially popular sheep and camel milk.

The most popular drink in Turkmenistan is "Chal". For its preparation, pair milk camel is used, which is added to a special start. A few days later the sourish, weakly carbonated drink, perfectly quenched thirst. As true Asians, Turkmen just adore tea. A feature of this drink in this amazing country is that tea leaves are flooded with steam camel milk, and after the kettle is placed on hot corners. Not every foreigner will decide to try such an exotic drink.

Much distribution in Turkmen cuisine received fish dishes. Turkmen adapted fish to products that are considered completely incompatible with it, for example, raisins, uryuk, pomegranate juice, sesame, etc. In addition, the local population is preparing fish in Kazan and on Spit. For the preparation of Turkmen dishes use extremely fresh fish, which can be combined with the sour-sweet gamut of Turkmen seasoning. Interestingly, a kebab is considered the main fish dish in Turkmenistan, which is prepared in the same way as the meat option. The famous Turkmen dish "Cavurdak" is a small pieces of fish roasted in sesame oil. They are shifted into the clay jug and poured a curvatured melted lard.

Particularly loved by Turkmen various flour products. Plees are very popular among the local population.

For dinner in the middle-class restaurant, you can give no more than $ 7 per person.

Accommodation

Turkmenistan was always famous for hospitality. There are modern hotels and hotels that combine all the magnificence of Eastern Luxury and European quality of service. True, large hotels and hotels are present only in large cities and resorts. So, in the south of Ashgabat built a whole complex of several tens of high-class hotels.

Interestingly, but almost all hotels do not have a standard global classification. But the quality of the services they provide is not at all inferior to world-famous hotel brands. In metropolitan hotels in responding to the level of four and five stars, you can use not only spacious and comfortable rooms, but also by pools, saunas, sports halls, restaurants and bars. Some hotels are even equipped with modern conference rooms that can be used for business negotiations.

Outside the capital are located less comfortable hotels. It is worth noting that when settling in such hotels, it is necessary to specify the presence of a private bathroom and hot water in a hotel room.

The cost of living in hotels in Turkmenistan ranges from $ 30 for a single room in a small hotel to $ 220 for a chic suite in the most prestigious Hotel Ashgabat. In addition, nutrition can be included in the price. True, most hotels offer their customers to pay only breakfast.

Entertainment and recreation

Mysterious Turkmenistan offers its visitors a huge selection of entertainment.

The tourist complex "Avaza" is very popular among foreign guests of the country, located along the coast of the Caspian Sea. This is a gorgeous complex of modern hotels, entertainment centers, restaurants, discoclaboments and other entertainment facilities. Here you can use the services of sports halls, fitness clubs, pools. There are several stadiums, tennis courts and even golf clubs on the huge territory "Avazi". All elements of the resort zone "Avaz" are placed on a small area of \u200b\u200bsushi, which is adjacent to the sea, the deserts of the Karakum and the mountains.

Ancient Turkmenistan is full of natural and historical monuments. Multiple travel companies organize excursions for the unique desert of the Karakum, Bakhaden Cave and Dinosaur Plateau. In addition, unique complex tours in Turkmenistan and neighboring countries have been developed. The most famous of them is the "Great Silk Road", which runs through the territory of Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and China. It is on this way that hundreds of years ago moved caravans with silk and gems. You can see the ruins of ancient cities in stunning tours of the "Pearl of the East - Sogdiana". On the territory of modern Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan in ancient times there was a powerful state of Sogdian, with the history of which can be found during an excursion.

Turkmen celebrate a large number of holidays, ranging from the birth of a child, the first step festival and ending with the holiday of Turkmen carpet or Turkmen melon. Pretty popular holidays are very popular, such as the holiday of tulips, snowdrops holiday, the holiday of the Turkmen hill, the feast of good neighborliness and many other colorful events. The religious holidays are widely marked.

Purchases

Turkmenistan is famous for its stunning bazaars. The most famous of them is located in the capital of Ashgabat. Here you can buy everything that your heart, ranging from food and ending with the thorough-sized ahalterans.

The main wealth of Turkmenistan is considered amazing beauty carpets, often woven manually. You can buy such a product at any store in major cities. However, the largest assortment of unsurpassed carpets is found at the Ashgabad bazaars and in the famous museum of carpets. Each person will find a carpet in Turkmenistan to his taste and wallet. The most expensive goods are excellent nodules of silk or wool carpets. Felt mats or how they are called local residents, "Koshma" will cost a little cheaper. It is most convenient to acquire a carpet in state stores: in this case, for the export of the product abroad, it will be enough for only a commercial check.

Many tourists also prefer to export the objects of national clothes from Turkmenistan. Foreigners are particularly popular with the famous headwear of Turkmenistan - Tubetsey and Telpak (sheep's hat from sheep wool). The figurines of famous ahal-akhalin horses, silver jewelry, Turkmen silk are also well bought out.

In most shops, prices for goods fixed, but in the bazaars and in private shopping tents it is recommended to bargain. Turkmen like the trading process itself, so you can easily knock down the price of the goods you like several times.

Purchases are paid only in national currency - manate. By bank transfer using Visa cards, MasterCard can be calculated exclusively in large shopping centers, and then only in Ashgabat.

Transport

Turkmenistan's transport system is well developed enough. Special development here received railways. The length of the railway canvase is about 2,500 kilometers. Each major city has a railway station. This transport is considered the most popular in local residents to move around the country. The cost of a trip by train of the capital of the state to other major cities is approximately $ 2.5 in a second-class car. If you wish, driving in the CV car must be paid somewhat more - about $ 4.

In the city of Turkmenbashi is the largest seaport of the country. From here, freight and passenger ferries are sent daily to the ports of other countries. The cost of ferry crossing to other countries is approximately $ 30-40.

The air transport of Turkmenistan is gaining increasing popularity among foreign tourists every year. About ten air carriers operate on the territory of the state. The main one in Turkmenistan is Türkmenistan Howaýollar. Turkmen airlines are performed both flights within the country and international flights. Among the foreign carriers on the territory of Turkmenistan employs such "Matters" of transport companies like Lufthansa Airlines, British Airways and others.

Public transport is represented by buses, trolley buses and taxis. The bus fleet is quite diverse both in the model range and by age machines. In Turkmenistan, you can find a modern bus with air conditioning and TVs, and barely moving rolling stock with huge holes in the doorway. Travel in public transport is paid directly from the driver and at the end of the trip. Their cost does not exceed $ 0.1. If you, to put it mildly, dislike public transport, then best use taxi services. To travel through the whole city you will need $ 1.

Communication

Telephone communication in Turkmenistan is poorly developed. Many cities still use relay equipment. In major settlements on the streets you can find another remnal of the Soviet past - telephones. From such devices you can make a call to any part of the country. The cost of such a call does not exceed $ 0.5. To call to another country, you need to contact any post office. In addition, you can chat with relatives from hotels and hotels. The price of one minute of conversation on the international line is approximately $ 1.

Recently, cellular communication has been widely distributed in the country. Mobile operators include the GSM 900/1800 standard. On the territory of Turkmenistan there are several cellular companies: Altyn Asyr MC, Barash Communication Technologies Inc and MTS. They successfully maintain the roaming of most Russian and world cellular operators. The cost of a minute of conversation on a mobile phone slightly exceeds $ 1.

In the capital of Turkmenistan Ashgabat and other major cities of the country, there are small Internet cafes, where you can relax perfectly, work on the Internet and even delicious dinner. The price of one hour on the Internet somewhat exceeds $ 2. Most fashionable hotels and hotels you can use wireless technologies. This service is also available in major airports in the country.

Safety

Turkmenistan is recognized as the safest country in Central Asia. Here, even in large cities, the crime rate is incredibly low. The offense against foreigners happens very rarely. However, for the greatest security of your trip and for an exceptionally positive impression, it is necessary to be extremely attentive to your things, especially if you are in the places of large cluster of people. Do not attend alone some remote areas. We also note that in Turkmenistan there is a ban on visiting some regions by foreign citizens.

As in any Asian country, in Turkmenistan there is a big risk of infection with typhoid, malaria, dysentery and hepatitis. Therefore, before the trip it is worth making the necessary preventive vaccinations.

Business climate

Recently, the country's authority to attract foreign investors adopted a number of laws that soften the working conditions of enterprises. So, for joint organizations there are certain tax breaks.

The most important direction of the development of the Turkmenistan economy is the creation of free economic zones. Investment activities and entrepreneurship in such zones has a number of additional benefits, which is definitely a decisive factor for making a decision in the field of cooperation of foreign businessmen with Turkmen enterprises.

Recently, a high increase in the interest of foreign tourists to the cultural and historical heritage of Turkmenistan was seen. In addition, unique natural beauty attracts numerous ecotourists into the country. This trend did not remain unnoticed by many major investment companies, which decided to invest their funds in the development of the tourist industry of the Turkmen economy. An example of successful cooperation in this area can serve as the famous resort zone "Avaz". Today, the construction of entertainment complexes and centers, fashionable hotels and hotels, organizing tours along the unique attractions of Turkmenistan has become relevant. It is worth noting that the state creates excellent conditions for organizing a tourist business. Several laws governing the procedure for taxation and financing such companies were adopted.

The property

The real estate market of Turkmenistan is currently one of the most attractive in Central Asia. First of all, the interest in local apartments and homes exhibit people from neighboring countries, as well as from Russia. A factor contributing to this is the lack of any restrictions on investing in property.

It is noted that most shoppers of housing in Turkmenistan prefer to rent it. Of course, the bulk of such proposals is concentrated in the metropolitan region. Usually the price for renting a one-room apartment is approximately $ 400-500 per month. In other major cities of the country, the cost of such a service is significantly less - about $ 200.

Wanting to get into the property a small apartment, the buyer is worth stocking the amount of about $ 30,000. To buy a country cottage will have to prepare an amount significantly exceeding $ 50,000. It is worth noting that the volume of low-rise construction is significantly inferior to the apartment market. This is due to some difficulties of obtaining loans for the construction of houses. Turkmen banks fear falls in land prices, so do not take country houses in a deposit.

To make your holiday in an amazing Turkmenistan unforgettable and, most importantly, safe, it is necessary to adhere to some of the basic rules adopted in the country.

When traveling around the country, it is worth remembering that visiting certain areas is possible only accompanied by employees of a travel company. And individual territories are generally closed for foreign citizens.

The legislation of Turkmenistan demands from tourists who come to the country to be accommodated in those hotels that they pointed out in the stay of the stay. Conducting a photo and video shooting of some objects requires a special permission.

In Turkmenistan, the ban on smoking and alcohol consumption in public places was recently adopted.

Use tap water is unsafe. Be sure to boil it even to clean the teeth. Bottled water can be used. Food, such as fish and meat, it is necessary to heat heat, and vegetables and fruits are thoroughly washed.

By purchasing various souvenirs in Turkmenistan, it must be remembered that some products and products categorically impossible to be taken out of the country. Such products include fish and black caviar. The removal from the country of jewels, archaeological and artistic exhibits, carpets is possible only with the availability of relevant documents confirming the fact of purchase. In addition, it is worth remembering that it is possible to remove the carpet abroad upon receipt of the certificate of the museum of carpets, which he has no historical value. Mandatory condition for the export of carpet products is the payment of the tax depending on the size of the goods. When buying carpets in state stores, the tax is already included in the cost of the product.

Visa

To all foreign tourists to visit Turkmenistan, it is necessary to obtain a visa based on an invitation that provides a travel company. After receiving an invitation letter for a visa, you need to contact the Consulate of Turkmenistan, located at: 121019, Russia, Moscow, Per. Philippovsky, 22.

For registration of a visa, the following documents must be submitted: the original invitation, an overseas passport with a period of more than six months, a photocopy of an internal passport, two visa questionnaires, a certificate from the place of work indicating the position and salary, as well as two photos. Visa design is carried out only after a personal interview with the consul.

The cost of visas is $ 31 for up to 20 days, $ 41 - for 20 days, $ 51 for a whole month. It is worth remembering that when receiving a visa on the border on weekends and holidays, the cost of registration increases by $ 10.

Culture

Turkmenistan has a rich cultural heritage created for millennia. This, in particular, is evidenced by the production of NISS (18 km from Ashgabat) - the capital of the ancient Parthian state, which existed at the turn of I thousand BC. - I thousand AD. The remains of urban quarters, temples, palaces have been preserved here. In the excavations of the NISI, elegant ritons were found (Cups in the form of a horn) from ivory, sculptures from clay and stone, coins, archival records on clay powders. These findings are worldwide.

To the north of the city of Bayram-Ali, the ruins of another ancient city lie - Merva, which is one of the most significant historical and architectural monuments of Turkmenistan. Its ancient part is the erk-feast settlement, which gives the I thousand BC. In the middle of the i thousand AD. Merv was the capital of the eastern part of the Sassanid Empire, and then the center of Arabic governors in Horasan. The city reached its heyday at 12 V. As part of the state of Seljukids and Khorezmshakhov, as evidenced by the remnants of the Sultan Cala settlement with the Mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar in the center. At that time, Merv was the largest in the East Center for the manufacture of artist stamped ceramics. In the north of Turkmenistan, where the ancient Urgench - the capital of Khorezm in 12-13 centuries was located., Such monuments were preserved as the Akkal Fortress ("White Fortress"), Minaret, Mausoleum Fahreddine Razi (second half of I2 century), which is a brick cubic Building with a twelve-marched tent dome.

The ancient culture of Central Asia, including Turkmenistan, is based on the religious traditions of Zoroastrianism, Buddhism, Christianity and some other cults and beliefs. Starting from the turn of 7-8 centners, when the region was conquered by Arabs, the dominant religion becomes Islam. Believers, the Turkmen, Uzbeks, Tajiks, Kazakhs and some other ethnic groups of modern Turkmenistan profess the predominantly Islam of the Sunni-Hanifitsky sense. However, a small part of the local population, which comes from Iran, professes shism.

For centuries, Sufism was played a big role in the Turkmen society - the mystical direction of Muslim creed, for which the combination of metaphysics with ascetic practice is characterized, the doctrine of the gradual approximation through mystical love for the knowledge of God. Sufism (as well as the Sunnism) had a significant impact on the cultural development of Turkmenistan, literature, folk creativity and even political life in the country.

Until the mid-1930, the culture of Turkmenistan was also built on the cultural traditions of the Turkic elone of Oguzov, ascending back to the pre-Islamic period and most noticeably manifested in music, epic and literature. The country's culture was based on the actual Turkmen traditions, which were noted above, at the end of the 9th century. After the adoption of Islam by the Seljuk state. The most famous work of the pre-Islamic period is the National Epos Oguz Oguz-NEE (the Book of Oguz), belonging to the cultural heritage not only Turkmen, but also by Azerbaijanis, and the Turks. It was transmitted orally from generation to generation and was recorded only in the middle of the 16th century. The epic poem of Kitabi Deda Corkud also known, in which the reflection of the associate breeding culture of Oguz and the influence of Islam in 11-12 centuries was reflected.

After the adoption of Islam by Turkic peoples, in Central Asia, writing a writing based on the Arab alphabet was distributed. At the same time, Persian, adopted as state-owned Seljukids and almost all subsequent dynasties, was considered the language of science and high culture. However, Turkmen poetry used Chagatai, also widespread in Central Asia. Its phonetic system was flexible enough to transmit the features of Turkic languages. At the same time, Arab graphics were used, somewhat modified for the best transmission of Turkic phonetics; It was in Chagyatai that Turkmen literature developed. He wrote the great Turkmen poet and Thinker 18 V. Makhtumkuli (1733-1780-E) and his followers Seidnazar Seidi (1775-1836) and Kurbandards were green (1780-1836). To Makhtumkuli, Turkmen poetry was presented mainly by the Sufi philosophical treatises in the poetic form. He and his followers began to write poems about nature and politics, while leaving for the narrow framework of conventions inherent in Persian poetry; At the same time, the motives of Turkmen folk poetry and epic traditions were widely used. Among the outstanding poets of that time, Nurmukhamed-Gariban Andalib, Magrupi (or Kurbanali), Chabende and Haibi should also be called.

Starting from the middle of 19 century. The works of Turkmen poets acquire political painting; At the same time, the influence of Islamic mysticism, mainly Sufism, previously dominated by Turkmen literature, weakens. After the joining of Turkmenistan to the Russian Empire in the 1870-1890th, social and political satire occupies the leading place in poetry. Satyric poets, such as Durdygylch and Mallamurt, were very popular at the beginning of the 20th century.

The Soviet period was marked by radical changes in public and cultural life. In 1928, the Arabic alphabet was replaced by Latin, and Turkmen turned out to be torn off from their literary heritage. In 1940, the Latin alphabet as the basis of writing was replaced by the Russian, and the continuity of cultural traditions in Turkmenistan again broke. However, at the turn of 20-21 centuries. The government of the country decided to transition back to the Latin alphabet.

Turkmen artistic prose and dramaturgy began to develop mainly in Soviet times. Announced novels and plays praised the authentic and imaginary conquest of socialism, incl. The liberation of women, the collectivization of agriculture, the elimination of feudal and tribal remnants, and later - the victory of the Soviet people in World War II. Among Turkmen writers of the Soviet period, the poet, the novelist and the playwright of Berdy Kerbabayev (1894-1974) are most famous.

It should be said that for thousands of years, a lot of legends were created about the world famous for the whole world of the Akhaltech horsepower, which, according to legend, occurred from heavenly horses, and about which already in 5 V. BC. The "Father of History" Herodotus reported that the Turanians (the ancestors of the Turkmen) were elected them with the symbol of the Sun. It is even now forbidden to take out the ahaltein horses from Turkmenistan without much permission.

In 2003, "Society of Turkmen Culture" registered in Russia, uniting representatives of the Turkmen diaspora living in Moscow. His main task is to promote the development of Turkmen culture, deepening friendship and mutual understanding between the peoples of Russia and Turkmenistan.

In the sphere of culture, it was not without harsh prohibitions and restrictions on the part of the authorities. After the ban on opera, ballet, circus, the public libraries were closed at the beginning of 2005, since, according to the country's leaders, "no one goes there anyway and does not read books." Subscription to foreign editions was banned back in 2002. Only the creations of the president are sold in abundance, first of all "Rukhnama".

History

The first evidence of the settlement of the territory of Turkmenistan by a person belongs to the era of Neolith. During the archaeological excavations, many stone guns were found, as well as the remains of the settlements of hunters and fishermen, among which the most famous is the grotto of Jebel in the eastern part of the Caspiana. It was also discovered that in 2 millennia BC. In these territories, pottery production and metal processing appeared.

The southern part of Turkmenistan was the northeast outskirts of the ancient agricultural crops of the Middle East, and it was most likely to develop agriculture and cattle breeding for the first time in Central Asia. Found near Ashgabat Settlement of Jeitun, dating from 6th century. BC, is one of the most ancient agricultural settlements on the territory of the former CCR.

The ancient farmers of the foothill plains of the South Turkmenistan lived in the houses built from clay rollers - the predecessors of raw bricks, made the harvested sickles with the liners from silica, grains, stucco ceramic dishes decorated with red painting. During the neolithic period, the first primitive irrigation canals began to appear in this zone. The development of agriculture continued both in the bronze era. By that time, a number of archaeological monuments include large settlements of Namazga-Teppe, Altyn-Tepe, Kara-Tepe et al., Which part of which belongs to the Protogorodsky type. During the excavations, objects of art were found there - statuettes, ceramic vessels with painting and so on.

Agriculture of Southern Turkmenistan 7-6 centuries. BC e. Particulated in different states: Margiana (MYPGABA pool) - was located in Bactria; South-Western areas of Parphy and Girkania - as part of the Musseli. In 4-6 centuries. BC e. The territories that have formed later directly Turkmenistan were part of the State of Achhemenidov, and then in possession of Alexander the Macedonian and his successors. At the end of the I millennium BC. The Khorezm kingdom was founded, whose prosperity period began in the middle of 4 c. BC. Khorezm's cities were the centers for the development of agriculture, crafts and trade.

Appeared later during the reign of Tsar Mithridate II (124-84. BC) The Parthian kingdom quickly turned into one of the major Eastern states. At that time, the city of Merv (the main city of Parphy, now - Mary) has become an important shopping, handicraft, cultural and even intellectual center. It was not by chance that Merv was called "Shahu-Jahan", which means "Queen of the World". Through this city, important trading paths were held (including the famous Great Silk Road), which were connected to among themselves Korezm, Sogd, Ball, India and China.

In 224 AD South Turkmenistan was captured by the Dynasty of the Iranian Shakhov Sassanids. At the same time, part of the nomadic tribes of Turkmenistan began to assimilate with the tribes of Syunna, the predecessors of the Huns. In the middle of 5 c. The Union of Gunnsky tribes led by Ephalitis managed to subjugate the majority of this territory. Euphtalites were defeated by the Turkic Union of the tribes, which had a great influence on the language and way of life conquered by them. By the beginning of the Arab conquest in 6 c. Almost all the tribes have become turcidate and later to confess the Arabia Islam. Since then, this denomination has become in the Turkmen state fundamental up to the present.

Middle Ages. At the beginning of the 8th century. The territory between the Caspian Sea and Amurren was under the rule of the Arab Caliphate. Local Turkic tribes, who adopted Islam, established close trade and cultural relations with the rest of the Muslim world. However, as the power of the power of the Arabs is weakened (although Islam still remained the dominant religion) Turkmen-Oguzi penetrated the territory of Turkmenistan, and in the middle of the 11th century. She was under the rule of the Seljuk State, called the name by the name of the leader Oguzov - Selzhuk Ibn Tugak and his descendants - Seldzhukides. The capital of this state was the city of Merv. Ogubs were mixed with local tribes, and on this basis the people were formed, called Turkmen, and Turkmenistan (Earth Turkmen) began to call the country. In 12-i3 centuries. She was under the rule of Shahov Khorezma, who, in turn, was conquered by the troops of Genghis Khan in 1219-1221 and entered the Mongolian Empire. In subsequent century, there was a large-scale resettlement of the Turkmen tribes along the eastern coast of the Caspian Sea, the Mangyshlak Peninsula, Ustyurt, Balkhani, the North-Western part of the Khorezm district, the shores of Sarykamysh Lake and Uzboy and even in the Karakum desert. They also occupied the lands of southern Turkmenistan, where the Iranian-speaking agricultural population has been preserved.

During the reign of descendants of Genghis Khan, some Turkmen tribes achieved partial independence and founded vassal feudal states. They played a prominent role in the history of the Turkmen even after Central Asia at the end of the 14th century. It was conquered by Timur (Tamerlan). After the fall of the Timurid dynasty, the nominal control over this territory switched to Persia and Khiva Khanate. At that time, the Turkmen gradually stood out the layer of merchants, mainly the tribes who lived on the Caspian Sea coast, which began to trade with Russia (especially actively in the reign of Peter I).

In the period of late Middle Ages, the Turkmen tribes were finally separated between the three feudal states - Persia, Khiva and Bukhar. Public system Turkmen, starting from 16 century, historians are defined as a patriarchal-feudal with elements of patriarchal slavery. The feudal relations were most developed in sedentary agricultural tribes (Daryaryk Turkmen, the Luzketdag Strip languages). In the way, Turkmen almost did not have large cities, developed crafts and lagged behind their neighbors - indigenous people of Persia, Bukhara and Khiva, which was one Of the main reasons for their political fragmentation. In 16-17 centuries. Their territory was the object of fierce wars between the Bukhar and Chiva Khan, and the south of Turkmenistan seized Sefavoid Iran.

In that period, Sarykamysh lake began to gradually, on the shores of which Turkmen tribes lived, and the flow of water in Daryalyk was reduced. This circumstance forced people to gradually move to the south, to the Priatrek steppes and the touchpadag regions, and already from there - to the southeast, in the valleys of Murgab and Amarya. From early 17th century On the nomads of the Northern Turkmen and the city of Khorezm began to make raids of Kalmyk, who came from the east in search of free lands. By that time, the beginning of strengthening political and economic relations Turkmen with Russia. Moreover, at the end of the 17th century. Some Turkmen tribes, tired of Kalmykov's raids and armed detachments of the Khan, moved to Russian citizenship and partially moved to the North Caucasus.

New story. In the first half of the 18th century Most of the territory of Turkmenistan was in the hands of the Iranian Shah Nadir. The Turkmen's unfortunate part went to Mangyshlak, to the Caspian steppes and in Khorezm. However, after the murder, Nadir-Shah in 1747, his empire fell quite quickly, which allowed Turkmen tribes temporarily left to the north, return to South Turkmenistan.

At that time, Turkmen inhabited almost the entire territory of modern Turkmenistan. Many of the Turkmen tribes - Ersari, Techintsy (Tecca), Emouth (IUMUT), Goyne, Saryki and Salyra, Chovdurai, and others - had a significant military potential and set out trade relations with other countries. Through Turkmen lands were trading routes that bind Europe with Central Asia, Iran and Afghanistan.

During the Russian-Persian War 1804-1813, Russian diplomats entered into a friendly union with a number of Turkmen tribes against Persia. The territory of Turkmenistan itself was assigned the role of a deccent in the Russian plans to conquer Central Asia with its rich natural resources. Russia's penetration in Turkmenistan began with the foundation in 1869 on the eastern coast of the Caspian Sea of \u200b\u200bKrasnovodsk. In 1869-1873, the tribes of Western Turkmenistan easily lost to Nazhir diplomats and military strength of Russia, while the tribes of Eastern Turkmenistan have provided fierce resistance to Russian troops until January 1881, when the fortress of Geokebene was taken. The fall of this fortress completed the conquest of Turkmen lands by Russia.

After joining Russia, Turkmenistan began to be actively involved in the economic system of Russian market relations, which was much more progressive compared to the archaic socio-economic structure of Turkmen tribes. In the 80s 19 century. On the territory of Turkmenistan, the Custinian Railway was built, stimulating the growth of the economy of the region, the production and export of raw materials (primarily cotton) to Russia and further - to the markets of Europe.

CUSPIAN REGION There were cities (Krasnovodsk, Ashgabat, etc.) with a growing Russian and Armenian population, industrial enterprises appeared. In front of the October Revolution in a public strict Turkman, remaining mainly patriarchal-feudal, the elements of the market appeared, especially noticeable in the South (Ashgabat, Mervsky) districts.

During the first Russian revolution, 1905-1907, strikes organized by Social Democrats were held on the Cospean Railway. After defeating the revolution, strikes were prohibited, and any manifestations of discontent were strictly suppressed by the authorities.

In 1916, a wave of mass protests of the indigenous population rolled the wave of mass protests against the mobilization on rear work. After the overthrow of the royal power in March 1917 in major cities - Ashgabat, Krasnovodsk, Charges, Marah, previously prohibited groups of social democrats, including the Bolsheviks, were activated. However, the rural population remained passive and did not come out from under the control of their religious and tribal leaders.

The newest story. After the October Revolution of 1917 in Turkmenistan, the combat actions of the Red Army, the White Guard, British Expeditionary Forces, as well as the esters were conducted. Eastern areas of Turkmenistan remained under the rule of the Khiva and Bukhara Hangey, which were vassals of the Russian Empire. Although the Bolsheviks managed to incline to their side of Russian workers in cities, attempts to conquer the trust of Turkmen peasants - Dekhan - were not crowned with success. In December 1917, the Bolsheviks seized power in Ashgabat, but they lasted there for long. White Guards and Esers, with the support of the British troops in July 1918, raised the uprising and expelled the Bolsheviks. In order to prevent the loss of Turkmenistan and the entire Caspian region, parts of the Red Army were directed there. In August 1918, the territory of Turkmenistan was occupied by British troops, which preserved control until September 1919, when their part of them was withdrawn by the Government of Great Britain. Separate anti-Bolshevik formations continued to resist up to February 1920, when parts of the Red Army occupied Krasnovodsk. This event meant the final defeat of the White Guards and Socialists; At the same time the conclusion of the English military units was completed. In 1920, revolutionary coups happened in Khiva and Bukhara, and the Khorezm and Bukhara People's Soviet republics were formed there.

In the period from April 1918 and October 1924, the country was officially called the Turkmen Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic and was part of the RSFSR. October 27, 1924. The Turkmen Soviet Socialist Republic was already formed as part of the USSR. The first step taken by the Government of the Turkmen SSR was the continuation of land-water reforms initiated after the victory of the Red Army in 1920. At the same time, the redistribution of land, which previously belonged to major landowners - Bayam; The organization of peasant cooperatives and the restoration of the oil industry began.

In 1926, the republic began collectivization of agriculture and the creation of large cotton plantations. By 1929, almost 15% Dekhan became members of collective farms (collective farms), and by 1940 almost the whole earth was in the use of collective farms, and the farmers who have developed her peasants became collective farmers. Shortly before the beginning of World War II, Turkmenistan came out on the second place (after Uzbekistan) in the USSR for the production of cotton. Other agricultural branches developed intensively, which contributed to the expansion and improvement of irrigation systems, primarily the construction of reservoirs and irrigation channels.

The 1930s were noted by the intensive development of the oil industry. The mining at the deposits of the Salesen Peninsula, victims during the civil war, were built and put into operation new deposits in Nebitdag. Almost all the raw materials produced or grown in Turkmenistan were sent for processing to other Soviet republics.

One of the important results of the development of industrial production was the formation of new social groups - engineering and technical workers and skilled workers. In the republic, the level of literacy of the population was significantly increased, thanks to the support of the Federal Government of the USSR, significant progress was made in the field of education and health care.

However, during the collectivization, the Turkmen middle class (so-called "Kulaks") was almost destroyed during collectivization, and during collectivization, almost all Muslim clergy and a significant part of the newly formed national intelligentsia became victims of repression held from the mid-1930 "Until 1953.

World War II gave a powerful impetus to the economic development of Turkmenistan, because at the beginning of the war, many industrial enterprises from Western regions of the USSR were evacuated to Turkmenistan; Accordingly, there was a need for a rapid development of transport. At that time, Ashgabat (now the Central Asian) railway was continued to the Caspian port of Krasnovodsk.

At the beginning of the Great Patriotic War, the 87th separate Turkmen brigade was created, later the basis of the 76th Rifle Division. During the war, 19 thousand soldiers and officers of Turkmenistan were awarded orders and medals, 51 Warrior-Turkmenistan was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union.

The tragedy was added to the economic and social difficulties of post-war years, the beacon of the Turkmen people in 1948 is the destructive Ashgabat earthquake. Nevertheless, for the post-war period, it was possible (in many ways, thanks to the Russians and Ukrainians who came to Turkmenistan from the USSR devastated during the war) to restore and modernize the national economy of the republic: to create an oil and gas complex, to develop the oil refining industry, to build a Karakum channel, to diversify agricultural production, Including increase cotton harvest fees.

The period of independence. On August 22, 1990, Turkmenistan proclaimed his sovereignty as part of the USSR. In October 1990, Saparmurat Niyazov, the first secretary of the Communist Party of Turkmenistan since 1985 and Chairman of the Supreme Soviet of the Republic (from January 1990) was elected president of the republic during non-alternative elections. October 26, 1991 the Government held a referendum on the independence of Turkmenistan; The independence voted 94% of the population. The next day, on October 27, 1991, the Supreme Council declared Turkmenistan to an independent state, and at the end of December 1991 the country joined the CIS. In the following, 1992, the Constitution of Turkmenistan was adopted (May 18), and after three years - December 12, 1995 by the UN General Assembly, a resolution on the "constant neutrality of Turkmenistan" was adopted, which determined the internal and external policies of the country.

The offensive 2001 in the country was announced by the beginning of the Golden Age of the Turkmen people, the era of prosperity in the field of economics and the social sphere.

At the same time, according to international human rights organizations, in recent years, Turkmenistan is among the top ten countries of the world with the most cruel dictatorial regimes (along with such countries as the DPRK, Zimbabwe, Equatorial Guinea, Sudan, etc.). In December 1991, at a joint meeting of the parliament, the Council of Elders and the National Movement "Galkynash", the President of S.Niazov received authority to an indefinite presidency. In his public speeches, he emphasizes that in the process of transitional period in the country it is necessary to maintain a strict state regulation of the socio-economic sphere. In his opinion, rapid socio-economic reforms (especially market) and democratic transformations will lead to the absolute impoverishment of the population, to chaos in all spheres of public life. According to the president, "to play democracy is not allowed to anyone. First, the laws must earn, and democracy will come by itself. Any attempts to push Turkmenistan to late radical measures of a socio-economic nature are contrary to the national interests of the country, who choose their own way of development. "

The opposition is completely suppressed in the country. Turkmenistan is one of the few countries where the prosecutor's office officially receives 50% of the confiscated property of persons accused of various crimes.

At the same time, there are positive moments in the socio-economic policies of the authorities, stability in society remains. There is a desire to prevent the intensification of Islamic extremists in the country, measures are taken to curb the penetration of orthodox Islam from the outside (from Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, etc.). The essential achievement of the president is a low crime rate in the country. According to official data in Turkmenistan, with more than 5 million people (2000), only 10,885 crimes were recorded, incl. 267 killings, 159 grave injuries, 61 rape, 3234 theft, 320 robberies.

In addition, there is a low payment of utilities in the country. The use of gas and water are free, electricity consumption is almost not paid, significant benefits are provided to the population when buying salt, flour; Low Tariffs for public transport (bus, trolleybus) - 2 cents per trip, the cost of air ticket from Ashgabat to Turkmenbashi (formerly Red Krasnovsk on Caspiana) - about $ 2 liter of gasoline AI-95 costs approximately 2 cents, low prices for basic food products - Lavash, Milk, Syzma (National Cottage cheese), many vegetables and fruits.

Nevertheless, foreign observers note consistent and targeted oppression of ethnic minorities, including Russians, the suppression of the rights and freedoms of citizens of the country, content without trial and investigation in prisons, the prosperity of corruption in public life and the economy. In the country the consumption of drugs is common, especially among young people, a high unemployment rate. In 2004, Turkmenistan was recognized as one of the worst countries for living - he hit the 150th place in the Index of Economic Freedom from 155 countries. North Korea in it takes the last place.

Economy

About 30% of the economically active population is employed in agriculture, in industry - about 40%, in the service sector - about 30%.

The main natural wealth of Turkmenistan is natural gas.

According to official data, the growth rate of GDP amounted to: 1999 - 16%, 2000 - 18%, 2001, 2002 - 20%, 2003 - 17%, 2004 - 21%.

Oil and gas production and their subsequent export. For energy supplies, various types of transport are used, the main of which is the "Central Asia Center" gas pipeline, built in Soviet times. At various stages of development are projects for the construction of gas pipelines in Afghanistan, China, India and other Asian countries. For transporting gas to Europe bypassing the territory of Russia, the Nabucco main gas pipeline is designed.

The leading industry of the economy is the light industry, primarily the textile industry, the agricultural sector.

Racing at the racetrack in Ashgabat, May 2007
TASS / REUTERS / SCANPIX / LETA

Turkmenistan according to the degree of isolation can be compared only with North Korea. In the former Soviet republic, it is almost impossible to get even to tourists, not to mention journalists and human rights defenders. Residents of the country's authorities are released abroad is also extremely reluctant. You can see the main questions about how politics, economics and social life are arranged in Turkmenistan and what is happening there now.

How is Turkmenistan or Turkmenistan?

And what's wrong with the export of gas, it is necessary for everyone and always?

In 2017, the rise in gas prices began again in the world, but the crisis in Turkmenistan did not stop. The fact is that the country from 2009 reoriented its gas export to China. Before that gas purchased mainly Ukraine. Turkmenistan did not suit the price, nor the fact that Ukraine pays Barter, nor how much for transit through the Russian territory takes Gazprom. The Chinese proposal seemed very profitable: he gave loans to the development of one of the world's largest deposits in the world, in 2009 he himself completed a gas pipeline through Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. And also promised that when Turkmenistan will produce more gas, build another pipe through Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.

How many Turkmenistan took into account in China, it is not for sure. In 2011 it was confirmed that China allocated two loans totaling $ 8.1 billion. In 2013, Beijing issued another loan, and its size is unknown. It is believed that the duty of Turkmenistan gives the extracted gas. At the same time, Turkmen gas costs China by a third cheaper than gas of other suppliers.

The development of new deposits has not yet led to an increase in export. China did not build a new gas pipeline through Kyrgyzstan (recent construction began was postponed until the end of 2019). Experts believe that China has no goal to make a bad Turkmenistan - is all about "bad planning".

In the meantime, Turkmenistan simply has nowhere to give gas: he managed to quarrel with all other buyers. Gas no longer buys Iran (Ashgabat demanded from Tehran to return the debt for previously supplied gas, as a result in 2016, the buyer was generally lost in 2016). In the same year, the purchases of Turkmen gas stopped Gazprom - the Government of Turkmenistan called the company "Inconscriptive Partner". Perhaps deliveries to Russia will be resumed in 2019, but it is unlikely that the price of gas will be high.

Entrepreneurs engaged in foreign food products use a market course, since the state converts them only to 2% of the contract value. Because of this, few people can live on a salary, buying products on the market; Prices continue to grow, and products are becoming less affordable. In the summer of 2018, Professor Steve Khanka from Jones Hopkins University, specializing in the study of episodes of hyperinflation in the world, posted According to his estimates, Turkmenistan came out for second place after Venezuela at the rate of inflation - 294% per year. The country is on the verge of hyperinflation for the third time for its history - the first two were in the 1990s.

People are trying to buy products in state stores, where bread, meat, chicken, sugar and flour are traded at a fixed state number, which is below the market for about two times. But these products are missing. Hence the queues, and crops, and fights in stores, and reports of Turkmen hunger, says mintiyev.

Lines for bread in Ashgabat
Chronicle of Turkmenistan

The main employer in the country - the state is forced to reduce costs. "The workers have reduced and continue to reduce whole deposit, for example, in the oil and gas industry, in construction organizations. Established whole ministries, as it was with Minkomhoza, "said Morteus" Medusa ". Some state employees and pensioners faced the fact that they could not cash the salary that they were charged on the card.

The population still criticizes the power - only at home, in the circle of their own, and then with caution, says mintiyev. According to him, in the conditions of a tough economy regime for most people, the government's decision on the construction of regular hotels, golf clubs or the country in the country of international sports competitions cause irritation.

After canceling the quotas for free electricity, gas, water, raising tariffs for utility and other services, the attitude of the people to power changes, minting is sure. If earlier people endured everything, comforting themselves that "but for light and gas almost do not pay," now there is no longer this contained factor. However, no mass protests in the country are observed.

Is everything bad in Turkmenistan with human rights?

With politics there everything is clear. Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov in 2017 won the next election of the president with a result of 97% at the turnout of 97%. There are no free media in the country, foreign media correspondents and few activists are persecuted - judicial and extrajudicial. The International Organization of Freedom House in its "Freedom Ranking" stably puts Turkmenistan in the five most unprofitable countries - above the DPRK, but below the Central African Republic.

International human rights organizations say that basic personal freedoms are departed in the country. First of all, we are talking about the Turkmen tradition, which in the West is called slavery. The cultivation of the main agricultural culture of Central Asia - cotton is extremely laborious in the harvest season. Since the time of the USSR, under-million labor was used to collect cotton - students, military, state employees went to state farms. In Turkmenistan, the tradition has gained a new scale: the state every fall sends cotton to harvest under the threat of dismissal and deductions of thousands of employees of government agencies, military, students and even, according to human rights defenders, schoolchildren.

Cotton and textiles - the second after gas Export article of Turkmenistan. The campaign of human rights defenders against slavery inflicted a heavy blow on this industry. Cotton's imports from Turkmenistan banned the United States, many brands refused to the Turkmen textiles and raw materials, such as H & M.

The Mintiyev site collects citizens' stories about their participation in harvesting campaigns. People do not perceive their work as slavery, rather as a mandatory service, but complain about living conditions, lack of water, food, transport and normal housing. The unemployed, which are sent to cotton fields voluntarily, tell that they do not pay the promised money.

The state does not recognize that it uses forced labor, referring to the fact that employees "hire" farmers are tenants of the Earth (the land itself belongs only to the state), but promised to increase payments to collectors.

Another restriction of freedoms on which human rights defenders indicate - manipulation with the departure of citizens abroad. According to the law, any citizen of Turkmenistan, having received a passport, can at any time leave the country's territory. However, as Radio Liberty reports (its Turkmen division - "Radio Azatlyk"), the border serve regularly removes people from flights without explaining the reasons or worst cars on the border. Employers denied people in issuing certificates needed to obtain visas of other states. Most often, the departure prohibit women and men under 40 years of age, say journalists.

A resident of Turkmenistan in the Ashgabat shopping center "Berkarar", 2017
Valery Sharifuel / Tass / Vida Press

Restaurant in Ashgabat
mauritius Images GmbH / Alamy / Vida Press

The Economist magazine suggests that all informal travel restrictions are aimed at combating likely (due to crisis) mass emigration. The departure of citizens to earnings is also not welcomed by the authorities. This (as well as periodic prohibitions for the departure of students to study to other countries) relates to another version of the explanation of restrictions - the authorities are trying to zero all the contacts of the population with the outside world.

How many people sit there in prison? Is there a death penalty in Turkmenistan?

Turkmenistan among World Prison Brief Rating leaders, which constitutes the British Institute for Criminal Policy Research. In prisons here, a year ago there were 552 people for every hundred thousand people. For comparison: 402 people from every hundred thousand people are sitting in Russia, 655 people in the USA.

There is no independent prisons control system in the country. The authorities have several times allowed to visit the prison staff to the Red Cross, but human rights defenders do not have permanent access to prisoners. Those who were released, told about torture and hunger in the colonies.

According to the new Constitution, in 2017, the first ombudsman elected in Turkmenistan. In his first report, this year said that there were no complaints from the convicts.

The death penalty in Turkmenistan canceled in 1999. However, human rights organizations report the massive disappearance of people - both those who were sentenced to the long term of concluding and those who were detained, but did not come to court. The list of disappeared, composed by the OSCE, is 112 people. A significant part of them are several dozen officials convicted in the case of "attempted" to Turkmenbashi in November 2002: then, according to official reports, KAMAZ blocked the presidential cortem, and the tuple was fired by unknown. Rashid Meredov, the current Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, then demanded the death sentence "November", including former Foreign Ministers Boris Shikhmuradov and Batyr Berdyev.

Is there an Internet in Turkmenistan? His regulate?

There is access to the Internet, but it is slow, and there are few people use it. According to the Internet World Stats resource, the Internet penetration in Turkmenistan in 2017 was only 17.9% - in Asian countries only in the DPRK and Afghanistan. The Internet in Turkmenistan is the most expensive from the countries of the former USSR - one gigabyte is 3.5 times more expensive than in Russia.

The country has long blocked Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Viber, WhatsApp, Facetime and Telegram. This year, "classmates" work with interruptions. Closed access to many sites, including not writing about politics. The authorities are struggling with all popular ways to bypass blocking.

At the same time, most urban families have satellite plates and wise Russian and Turkish channels.

What in Turkmenistan with extremism?

For a long time, everything was calm - unlike neighboring Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. In the country, the "Islamic Revival" authorities occurred, the return to faith was filed in one package with love for the country's leader. Built in the genital village of Saparmurata Niyazov Kipchak The largest mosque in Central Asia is the name of Turkmenbashi; Next is his mausoleum. With the Taliban of Afghanistan during their rule (and after their overthrow of the US troops), Ashgabat acted neutrality.

However, in recent years, a new force appeared right on the border of Turkmenistan - the Islamic State. The EMPs attacked Turkmen living in Afghanistan (all of them there are about a million people). In 2016, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoig offered Ashgabat to help strengthen the border. Berdimuhamedov said that the country will cope herself, but the opposition media told that the military from Russia and Uzbekistan appeared on the border with Afghanistan, as well as the fact that Ashgabat asked for help from the United States.

The attempts of breakthrough of units IG (or armed drug dealers) media reported in 2015, 2016 and 2018. The authorities have refuted it every time.

Can I go to Turkmenistan tourist?

You can get a visa in Turkmenistan only by invitation from an individual or sanatorium "to pass the course of treatment." Option "Tourist visa" in the list of the Turkmen embassy is absent.

The country's authorities say that they would like to see tourists. Tourism, judging by the law on travel activities, is a movement on advanced routes accompanied by guides included in the special registry. Guide services cost $ 30-50 per day plus hotel and nutrition pay for him. Tourists have the right "to freedom of movement ... taking into account the restrictive measures taken in the country." Hotels can refuse to accommodate with the tourist "Rules of entry, departure and stay."

According to Russian bloggers who visited the country, restrictions (they, by the way, remind of North Korean) cannot be called tough. Blogger Artemy Lebedev, who, according to him, got into Turkmenistan after four failures in a visa, wrote that "freedom of movement inside the country is very high."

Ilya Varlamov in 2016 told about a trip to Turkmenistan. Blogger wrote about legislative and informal prohibitions operating in the country (such as a ban on black machine). A part of the prohibitions like restrictions on photographing the security forces in the form of Varlamov successfully ordered. A few days after the publication of travel notes, his site was blocked in Turkmenistan.

The latest available data on the number of tourists who visited Turkmenistan belongs to 2007. Then, according to the World Bank, 8.2 thousand people visited the country.

Official name - Republic of Turkmenistan.

Situated in Central Asia.

Area - 491.2 thousand km 2

Population size - 4 884 887 people. (2008).

Official language - Turkmen.

Capital - Ashgabat (Turkmen pronunciation - Ashgabat).

Public holidays : The holiday of the State Flag of Turkmenistan (February 19, is celebrated on the birthday of S.Niyazov), Turkmenistan's independence day (October 27-28, since 1991), neutrality day (December 12, since 1995).

Currency unit - Manat.

Geography

Turkmenistan is located between 35 ° 08 and 42 ° 48 'northern latitude and 52 ° 27' and 66 ° 41 'East longitude. It borders with Kazakhstan in the north, Uzbekistan in the North and East, Iran and Afghanistan in the south. In the West is washed by the Caspian Sea, the length of the coast is 1768 km. The coastline in the south is weakly cut out, and in the north has winding outlines, forming the bays (Kara-Bogaz-Goal, Krasnovodsky), Peninsula (Krasnovodsky, Darja, Cheleken) and Spit (the largest - Redsovodskaya); Coast lowlands, sandy. The coast is located Ozurchinsky Islands, Kamyshada, etc.

Most of the territory of Turkmenistan is within the Turan lowland. The relief is dominated by flat or hilly sandy deserts with vegans, occupying more than 80% of Turkmenistan's area. Desert Karakumastrays from west to east 880 km, from north to south by 450 km. In the West there are lowest remaining Mountains Small Balchan (up to 777 m) and Bolshaya Balkhan (the highest point - Mount Arlan, 1881 m), in the east - the spurs of the Gissar Range, in the south - the foothills of the Copetdag (the highest point - Mount Rise, 2942 m) and In the south-east - the foothills of the steamopamiz (the elevation of badhiz and the carabist with maximum heights of 1267 and 984 m). In the extreme southeast, Mount Kugitangtau rises with the highest point of Turkmenistan Mountain Ayrybaba(3139 m). To the north of Copetandag, a subgrong plain extends, turning in the West to the extensive Caspian lowland. Near the coast of the Caspian Sea stands out a small red-breed plateau (up to 308 m). In the north-west, the southern outskirts of the Ustyurt Plateau with heights of up to 400-600 m coming to Turkmenistan.

Almost the entire territory of Turkmenistan, with the exception of southeastern and south-western colors, does not have a permanent surface runoff. The largest Amudarya River, receiving glacier-snow meals in the Mountains of the Pamirs, enters the territory of Turkmenistan in its middle course. From her to the West, the Karakum Canal (now - Turkmenbashi) is the length of St. 1000 km. In the south of the country, three significant rivers - Murgab, Teden and Atrek - receive sorable food in the mountains of the steamopamiz and speckdag. Most of the lakes are salty: they are found in the Caspian coast and in line with Uzboy (the largest of them - Kuuli). From fresh lakes, Yashen and Topiatan in the valley of Uzboy are distinguished. In the mountains - lakes of karst origin Cow Ata (in the Banchandan cave) and Horjunley (in Cugitangtau).

sights

Turkmenistan is perhaps one of the most interesting countries in Central Asia. Being a cradle of many cultures and civilizations, an important center of the Great Silk Road, the territory of Turkmenistan is literally saturated with monuments of history and culture, the distinctive population lives here and centuries-old traditions are maintained; there are unique natural complexes and extremely diverse landscape forms, from the picturesque mountain ranges to lifeless At first glance, the sands of the desert, from green oasis to the multi-kilometer sea coast.

Ashgabat (Ashgabat)

The capital and the largest city of Turkmenistan, whose name can be translated as the "City of Love", is located in the southwestern part of the country, in an extensive oasis lying in the foothills of the Copetdag, on the very edge of the sultry desert. The city was formed, for the most part, at the beginning and middleXX Century, around the Russian fortress, built in 1881 at the crossroads of the caravan paths. In 1885, the city of the Caspian Railway passes through the city, which gives its development a powerful push. In a sorrowful day, October 6, 1948, at 1:00, 17 minutes after midnight, Ashgabat was erased from the face of the earth a terrible earthquake, which claimed life at least 110 thousand inhabitants. Five years of the ruins of the city were a closed zone, and then 20 years, the entire Soviet Union restored it almost "from zero." But all the old buildings were destroyed, even trees, and those were afraid of the destructive power of the elements, so everything that can now be seen in the capital of Turkmenistan, belongs to the "era of developed socialism" and to later times when the country has gained independence and has begun a real construction boom.

The main attractions of the city can be attributed Arch Neutrality (1998, height 75 meters is the highest construction in Turkmenistan) with the Golden Statue of Turkmenbashi on top.

Presidential Palace (the former building of the Communist Party, 1950-1955), Majlis building (former complex of the Council of Ministers, 1954-1956), Complex of the Academy of Sciences (1949-1953), Drama Academic Theater. Mallnepez (1951-1958), Bayram-Khan Monument, Lenin Square (1927), Mecan Palace (1970-1974), National Library Building (1964-1976), Music School and Conservatory (1975-1992 GG), Orthodox Church of Alexander Nevsky (XIX. in), mosque ERROGRULGAZ With 4 minarets and a huge dome (1997, the largest mosque in the country), as well as the Ashgabat Circus (1979-1984).

Around Ashgabat

Around the capital also a lot of interesting places. Scientists argue that the oases of the premediations were a place for the formation of not one civilization of antiquity, and the sands of the desert hide unique monuments of history and culture. 12 kilometers southeast Ashgabat lies an archaeological site Anaau depiece (IV - III thousand years before er) and fortress Anau (III century BC e. - III in. n. er), as well as the ruins of the same medieval city with a mosque.

18 km west of Ashgabat lies a unique monument of history - the ruins of the capital of the ancient Parthian state, known now as Nisa (Connausai., III century BC e. - III in. n. er). In the small territory of the ancient city, a huge number of unique items of the past were found, including 2700 clay plates with inscriptions, the ruins of the ancient fortress M iridatkert. (Area of \u200b\u200babout 14 hectares), remnants of urban quarters, temples, palaces, archive of economic documents, works of art, etc.

Merv

Oasis Merva (40 km east of Mary) is one of the most ancient regions of Central Asia, which mastered irrigation - the first traces of the irrigation system in these parts belong to the period of the Bronze Age. Therefore, it is not surprising that one of the largest cities of the ancient world is grew here - Merv (Margush, Margiana, Mouuru or Margush in different sources). The origin of Merva is shrouded in secrets, one knows exactly - the first written mentions of him appear in the Avestian chronicles in aboutVIII - VI explosive BC. Omar Khayyam, As-Samani, Imamad Dein-Isfahani and other great thinkers of the Middle Ages lived and worked here.

Modern ruins include at least five ancient settlements - Erk Cala, Giaur Cala, Sultan Ka.la, Abdullakhan Cala and Bayramalihan Kala surrounded by the wall and ruins of other fortifications and religious structures (the exact boundaries of the city are still not known). Most of them are strongly destroyed, some remained only very floating earthy hills, but even taking into account this moment Merv continues to be one of the most unique historical monuments. Nowadays, he is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List as the most well-preserved ancient center of the Great Silk Road. Among the most interesting monuments of history, you can note the Mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar Dar-Al-Ahira (1140 g. E.) Height almost 40 m in Sultan- Ka.la, Citadel Chazrior-Ark, Ruins of Abdullahhan Cala walls (XV c), the ruins of the fortress and the Bayramalihan kala towers, the ruins of the Kyz Cala fortress (VI - VII. explosive n. e.), Mausoleum al-Khakim Ibn Amir Al-Jafari and Buraida Ibn Al-Hussein Al-Islami (XV in, place of pilgrimage), Mausoleum Muhammad Ibn Zeida (XII. c), Talkhatan-Baba complex with Mausoleums Talkhantan-Baba, Imam Casima, Imam Shafi and Imam Bakra Epoch of Seldzhukides, Mosque Yusuf Hamadani (XIII. in, modern reconstruction is performed inXIX. c), the ruins of the Erk Cala fortress (VI c), the ruins of the Christian temple and the Buddhist monastery in Gyur-Kala (the ancient Antioch Margiana), the ruins of the Mosque of Beni Mchan ("Friday Mosque",VII - XII. centuries), high walls similar to the fortress of structures are a large and small Kiz-Kala, Mausoleum Kiz-Bibi, as well as numerous balances of baths, palaces, frontal halls and other structures.

Ekedeshik

The cave city of Ekedeshik, located in the area of \u200b\u200bTagta-Bazar, has the status of a state historical and architectural reserve. The word "Ekedeshik" in Turkmen means " one hole". And indeed, a huge cave complex has a single input, which provided him with impudarity. The origin of the complex was washed with a mystery. According to one of the legends, the cave is filled with Goplites Alexander Macedonsky, on the other - Gina was worked here. Anyway, excavations confirmed the use of caves under housing starting at least withI. in BC e. The cave itself consists of two floors. On the lower floors, a peculiar natural system of watercourses collected water from underground sources, and on the upper floors there are living rooms, kitchens, halls and even some kind of altar (in total there are 44 rooms).

Kunya-Urgench

Kunya-Urgench or Kon-Urgench ("Old Urgench") is an architectural reserve lying in 480 km north of Ashgabat. The ancient capital of Northern Khorezm, mentioned in Chinese sources already inI. in. n. e., in the middleVIII. century falls under the power of the Arabs. In 995, Gurganj (he received such name after the Arab expansion) becomes the residence of Khorezm Shah and the second largest city after Bukhara - the capital of the Empire of the Samanids. The major cultural and shopping center of the Middle Ages, he gave a shelter Avicenna (Abu-blue), Al-Beruni, Ibn-Battuta and other famous thinkers of that time.

The main attractions of Kunya-Urgench are considered the mausoleum of the founder of the Sufi sect "Kububa" Opzhimimetina Kubra (XII - XIII. explosive), Mausoleum of the Mongolian Princess Travel Hagon (Turakkhanum,XII - XIV. centuries), Mother's minaret (X - XI explosive n. er), Minaret Kutlug-Timur (XII - XIV. centuries, the highest minaret in Central Asia - its height today is 67 m), Mausoleum Kirkmoll (II B BC. e. - III in n. er), Ibn Hadjyb Madrasa (XIV - XVI centuries), Mausoleum ArslanII. (The oldest building in the city - the date of its bookmark is estimated at approximatelyXI century), Mausoleums Fahr Ad-Dean times (XIII. c), Azizan al-Ramatani (XIII - XIV. centuries), Seyd Ahmed (XII - XIV centuries), Piryarves (XIV - XVII centuries), Guligerdan (XII century), Horezimbag (XIII - XVIII centuries), Dashgala (XIV - XVI centuries), Matkarim-Ishan (XIX - XX. centuries), Sultan Ali (1580 g), Techesh-Khorezhshah (XIII c) with a minaret of XIV in, dashmedge (1903-1908) and the fortress of Ak-Cala

Turkmenistan is the country, which in the 90s of the 20th century, after the disintegration of the Union, passed a rather difficult path. At first there were destruction, then the period of gradual formation came. Turkmenistan, the standard of living of which still wanted the best, began to develop confidently. An important role in this process was played by the people. One of the first republic was adopted by a declaration of sovereignty. In 1995, this state became neutral.

Complex process of formation

The first decade of the independent existence of Turkmenistan passed in complex processes of destruction of the existing progress.

All indicated negative phenomena were accompanied by the lack of development of the economy with the escorting of industrial enterprises, defense facilities and the energy complex. Life in Turkmenistan during this period became more complicated by the height of power and property, accompanied by bloody and fratricide events.

Factors contributing to economic development

Turkmenistan, the standard of living in which significantly rose due to persistence and hard work of the people, was able to stop the destructive processes in the economy.

Turkmenistan is a luxurious gifted place. Its main features are solar and warm climate, gas and oil deposits. The country is characterized by a closed type of economy, expressed in what is attracted only in complex deposits. It should be noted that Turkmenistan is geographically closed space, it does not have access to the sea, and is also surrounded by states in which the political situation often makes it difficult to expand gas pipelines. And, of course, the talented people, the eastern conservative in a political aspect, but

These factors contributed to the economic rise of the country, namely:

• the modern agricultural sector may bring annually about two million tons of wheat and the same cotton;
• equipment of the processing industry with new plants for processing raw cotton or sugar beet;
• in the light industry, new denim and cotton fabric factories have appeared;
• from Turkmen oil on modern lubricating oils and high-octane gasoline;
• thanks to the annual supplies of the extractive natural gas and oil and oil, the need of Turkmenistan in energy materials is fully covered.

Turkmenistan through the eyes of a foreigner

A man who was absent for some time in the country is striking in Turkmenistan all. So, with a lot of speed, the landscape, architecture and infrastructure as the country as a whole and its individual cities are transformed. There is a fabulous speed on the construction of new high-altitude houses, swimming pools, hospitals, highways, concert halls, tennis courts, business centers, hotels, stadiums, as well as beautiful Ashgabat airport from marble and glass.

Economy Turkmenistan

Modern Turkmenistan, the standard of living of which has improved significantly, is characterized by political tranquility and stability.

The high rate of economic development contributes to the creation of a warm investment climate. As a result - investments in the development of Turkmenistan world construction companies.

The economy of Turkmenistan is successfully developing thanks to significant investments in foreign investors in the energy and mining industry.

For a fairly short period, this country has turned from the raw material base into the state-developing rapid pace. The modern economy of Turkmenistan confirms its independence. I am striking with your calm on the streets and beneficial external changes.

Today, Turkmenistan (the standard of living of the people) ranks first among and the CIS. The population has the opportunity to enjoy free natural resources: salt, gas, water and light. At sufficient level, air communication between the cities of Turkmenistan is developed.

Basic macroeconomic indicators

The International Monetary Fund in 2015 is predicted to reduce GDP growth to 9% (this information is posted on the official website of the IMF).

As indicated in this press release, 2014 for Turkmenistan is marked by 10.3% GDP. At the same time, the state economy remained rather sustainable for various shocks in the regional market. Such life in Turkmenistan has become possible due to the active export of hydrocarbon resources and public investment.

The expected decline in GDP in the current year according to the IMF will occur due to a decrease in the level of income from the exportation of natural gas, as well as a reduction in public investment in relation to GDP.

Despite the last decline in the course of the national currency, the expected inflation at the end of the year will be about 6.5% (the average integrator of Turkmenistan is 7.5%). Such a situation will be possible due to the subsequent fall in food prices in the world and raising the dollar.

Life in Turkmenistan for other nationalities

The 2003 census showed that Turkmen constitute only 85% of the total population of the state, the remaining 15% are representatives of other nationalities.

Consider more Russian life in Turkmenistan. So, in the same 2003, an agreement was signed between Moscow and Ashgabat, according to which Gazprom began to acquire natural gas from Turkmenneftegaz until 2028. However, the same year for Turkmenistan is significant for the termination of the 1993 agreement, according to which this state ceased to unilaterally the opportunity to have dual citizenship. Despite the specified fact, the Russian embassy still issued passports of Russia and later than 2003, explaining this by the lack of ratification of this protocol by the Russian parliament.

In 2013, the situation was somewhat aggravated, since under the pretext of changing the passports of an old sample to the new Turkmenistan authorities "Doubles" it was proposed to abandon other citizenship, except Turkmen. This problem has not been solved to this day.

Life standard in Turkmenistan today

The level of modern life in the state under consideration has increased significantly in recent years, and this is confirmed by the analysis of this indicator on the example of the capital - Ashgabat.

So, the answer to the question "Is it easy to live in Turkmenistan?" It serves an increase in the number of foreign cars on the roads, as well as expensive mobile phones among the inhabitants.

For ordinary people, such arguments may seem slightly naive. However, economists can confidently say that improving the welfare of the population of any state can only take place with an increase in GDP, an increase in per capita income. At the same time, an ordinary person is only focused on prices for products that are on store shelves. Based on these components, we can say that the average standard of living of the population in Turkmenistan has become higher.

Priorities in Development

To further improve living standards in Turkmenistan, strong social guarantees should be provided for the population, which are the basis for the development of economic activities, as well as ownership forms. The reform of the banking, credit and financial system of the state should continue, the most favorable conditions for protection and population have been created.

The first decade of the XXI century to ensure the socio-economic development of the country is due to the need to refine the legislation, as well as the development of completely new approaches to regulation in the legal field of economic relations. Therefore, legislative activity should be carried out in the following directions.

Improving the regulatory framework

This is the first direction that should strengthen and develop a market economy. One of the main directions of the improvement of the economy block was the development of new legislation, which identifies the legal framework for the implementation of commercial (entrepreneurial) activities. This circumstance is the need for subsequent legal regulation of the processes of creation and work of business entities. An important place among them is the company.

Tax, monetary and budgetary legislation

This is the second direction of improving the regulatory framework. The modern legal framework is characterized by a certain solidity, and also regulates relations in the financial system of the whole state. The focus of this process should be paid to improving the effectiveness of the state budget as a macroeconomic mechanism for managing the entire economy of the country.

The success of the budget policy is directly dependent on the state's tax system. The main principle of legislative work is the codification of the entire tax regulatory framework, which Turkmenistan has today. Scientific life in this can significantly improve the overall state of law. So, based on the systemic study of various taxes and fees, as well as methods and forms to ensure their payment to the budget, a unified system of formation, collection and approval of all mandatory payments should be developed and legislatively enshrines.

Regulation of the activities of individual sectors of the economy

This area is the third most important and should contribute to legal regulation of activities, which is carried out in some industries that occupy one of the key places in the entire economic structure of Turkmenistan.

Thanks to the conducted socio-economic reforms and transformations, intensive development will be achieved in such agro-industrial, fuel and energy and construction complexes. It is impossible in this case to forget about the textile industry, construction industry, transport and communications.

Summing up the stated material, it should be noted that Turkmenistan was able to overcome the difficulties arising after the collapse of the Union, and not only to overcome the crisis, but also to become the path of economic development.