Turkmenistan has been a haven of stability in unrest-ridden Central Asia, known for its autocratic government and substantial gas reserves.
Despite the abundance of gas, the majority of the population is impoverished. After gaining independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, the nation fell into isolation, which has only recently started to end. .
Every year, Turkmenistan produces about 70 billion cubic meters of natural gas, with the Russian gas monopoly Gazprom receiving about two thirds of its exports.
To lessen its reliance on Russia, the government has attempted to negotiate gas agreements with a number of other nations, including China and Iran's neighbor. .
- with capital letters. Ashgabat.
- Area:. 491,210 sq km.
- Population:. 50.6 million.
- Language:. Turkmen.
- Typical lifespan: Men aged 64 and women aged 71.
Serdar Berdymukhamedov is in charge.
As the third leader of the authoritarian state, Serdar Berdymukhamedov assumed office in March 2022.
On the passing of his own mentor Saparmyrat Niyazov, his father Gurbanguly had been elected president in 2007.
President Berdymukhamedov wields absolute power and is the subject of a personality cult in the state-run media, much like his predecessors.
State TV and radio consistently broadcast propaganda because the government has a complete monopoly on the media.
Turkmenistan is "an ever-expanding news black hole," according to Reporters Without Borders.
International social networks are frequently inaccessible, and websites of the opposition and news from abroad are blocked.
The following are some significant historical occurrences in Turkmenistan:.
1881 . - Following the Battle of Geok Tepe against nomadic Turkmen troops, the majority of modern-day Turkmenistan is annexed by Russia.
1925 . - Turkmenistan is admitted as a member of the Soviet Union.
1991. - Turkmenistan declares itself independent.
2009 . - A pipeline for gas exports to China is opened, ending Russia's monopoly on Turkmenistan's energy supplies.
2007 . - After his mentor Saparmyrat Niyazov passed away, Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov was elected president. In 2022, he resigns in favor of his own son Serdar.
