Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
Region: Ashgabat is located in the Ahal Province
Geographic Coordinates: 37.950000, 58.383300
Temperature Range: -20.0°C to 45.0°C (-4°F to 113°F)
Climate: Dry and hot summers, mild winters with occasional snowfall.
Population: 828100
Language: Turkmen
Ashgabat is the capital city of Turkmenistan, Situated in Central Asia. It is a lively and contemporary city that showcases a blend of traditional and modern architecture, With its sparkling white marble buildings, Broad boulevards, And colorful parks. The city has a population of over one million people and serves as the cultural, Political, And economic hub of Turkmenistan. One of Ashgabat’s most notable features is its impressive collection of monumental buildings. The skyline boasts towering structures such as the Arch of Neutrality which was removed in 2018 but still holds significance for many locals.
Other landmarks include the Presidential Palace Complex, Independence Monument Park with its golden statue atop a column depicting Niyazov holding an open book facing towards his hometown village (which was named after him), And the new Ashgabat International Airport which resembles a giant falcon spreading its wings. The city also has several museums that showcase Turkmenistan’s rich history.
The National Museum houses exhibits on ancient civilizations like Parthian Empire to modern-day Turkmenistan including displays on famous historical figures such as Saparmurat Niyazov who led Turkmenistan to independence from Soviet Union in 1991 while also being known for his eccentric personality cults like renaming months after himself or building giant gold statues all over Ashgabat. Ashgabat’s markets are another must-visit attraction for visitors to this fascinating city.
They offer an array of traditional goods such as carpets, Textiles, Spices & herbs along with more modern items like electronics & gadgets that reflect the country’s growing economy under President Berdimuhamedow who has been in power since 2007 following Niyazov’s death. Despite being located within one of the world’s driest deserts – Karakum Desert – Ashgabat boasts numerous parks offering lush greenery and beautiful scenery. The Botanical Gardens are a particular highlight, Featuring over 2, 000 species of plants from around the world including rare and exotic species like the Turkmenistan wild tulip.
Ashgabat is a fascinating city that offers a unique blend of modernity with traditional culture. Its impressive architecture, Rich history, Bustling markets, And beautiful parks make it an ideal destination for travelers seeking to explore Central Asia. With its growing economy under President Berdimuhamedow’s leadership & increasing tourism industry due to Turkmenistan’s visa-free policy for select countries like Malaysia or Singapore; Ashgabat has become one of the most vibrant cities in this region which is sure to leave visitors with unforgettable memories.
- Turkmenistan Independence Monument
- Ashgabat Arch of Neutrality
- Alem Cultural and Entertainment Center
- Ashgabat Olympic Complex
- Turkmenbashi Palace and Museum Complex
- Ertugrul Gazi Mosque
- National Museum of Turkmenistan
- Nisa Fortress
- Tolkuchka Bazaar
- Presidential Palace of Turkmenistan
- The major industries and businesses in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan are diverse and include:
- Natural gas
- Construction
- Textiles
- Agriculture
- Retail
- Hospitality
- Banking
- Transportation
- Turkmenistan is renowned for its vast reserves of natural gas. Ashgabat is home to several companies that explore, produce and export this resource.
- Ashgabat has undergone significant development in recent years with numerous high-rise buildings and infrastructure projects being built. This has created a demand for construction companies and related services.
- Several textile factories located in Ashgabat produce a variety of products such as carpets, rugs and fabrics.
- Agriculture plays an important role in Turkmenistan’s economy overall. Many farmers from rural areas bring their produce to markets in Ashgabat.
- As the capital city of Turkmenistan, Ashgabat has a thriving retail sector with numerous shopping centers offering everything from clothing to electronics.
- With an increasing number of tourists visiting the city each year there is growing demand for hotels as well as other hospitality-related businesses such as restaurants and cafes.
- Several banks are headquartered or have branches located within the city offering financial services to individuals and businesses alike.
- As one of the main transportation hubs within Turkmenistan due to its central location within the country there are several logistics companies operating out of Ashgabat providing transportation services both domestically and internationally.
- The city’s establishment in 1881 as a military outpost on the Silk Road by the Russian Empire.
- A catastrophic earthquake in 1948 that destroyed a significant part of Ashgabat and resulted in tens of thousands of fatalities.
- Saparmurat Niyazov, also known as Turkmenbashi, who was the president of Turkmenistan from 1990 until his death in 2006. He was infamous for his authoritarian rule and peculiar personality.
- Several impressive examples of Soviet-era architecture can be found in the city, such as the Ashgabat Opera and Ballet Theatre and the Monument to Lenin.
- The National Museum of Turkmenistan holds many valuable artifacts from Turkmen history and culture.
- UNESCO has designated Ashgabat as a World Heritage site due to its exceptional combination of traditional Central Asian architecture with modernist Soviet design elements.
- In 2017, Ashgabat hosted the Asian Indoor Games where athletes from different parts of Asia gathered to compete in various indoor sports like wrestling and weightlifting.
- Some notable personalities hailing from Ashgabat are Olympic gold medalist gymnast Polina Astakhova and writer Annaguly Myratdurdyev who is regarded as one of Turkmenistan’s most prominent contemporary authors.
- Turkmen Carpet Museum
- Ashgabat National Museum of History and Ethnography
- Monument of Neutrality
- Turkmenbashi Ruhy Mosque
- Ashgabat Olympic Complex
- Independence Monument and Park
- Arch of Neutrality
- Ashgabat Ferris Wheel
- Türkmenbaşy Palace
- Alem Cultural and Entertainment Center
- FC Altyn Asyr – This is the most prosperous football club in Turkmenistan and is situated in Ashgabat. It was established in 2008 and has won various domestic titles.
- Ashgabat FC – Another football club located in Ashgabat that was established in 2016. They have participated in several domestic competitions.
- Turkmen Atlary – A horse racing team that represents Turkmenistan globally and is based at the Hippodrome of Ashgabat.
- HC Galkan – A handball club located in Ashgabat that takes part in domestic competitions.
- TKM-Universitet – A basketball team representing the capital city of Turkmenistan, which plays its home games at the Olympic Sports Complex stadium
Overall, sports teams from Ashgabat have been improving their performances over time and participating more frequently on international stages to represent their country with pride and honor.
- Turkmen Carpet Day is celebrated on the last Sunday of May, and it showcases the traditional art of carpet weaving in Turkmenistan.
- Independence Day is celebrated on October 27th, and it commemorates Turkmenistan’s independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.
- Nowruz, or Persian New Year, is celebrated on March 21st and marks the beginning of spring with traditional food, music, and dance.
- National Flag Day is celebrated on February 19th to honor the national flag of Turkmenistan and its significance to the country’s history and culture.
- The International Akhal-Teke Horse Beauty Contest is held annually in April or May to showcase one of Turkmenistan’s most prized cultural assets – the Akhal-Teke horse breed – through a beauty contest judged by experts from around the world.
- The Melon Festival takes place annually in August or September to celebrate one of Turkmenistan’s most beloved fruits with competitions for biggest melon and best-tasting melon varieties.
- The Ashgabat International Film Festival occurs biennially since 2019 bringing together filmmakers from around Central Asia to showcase their work and promote cultural exchange through cinema.
- Plov – a rice dish with meat, carrots, and onions
- Manty – steamed dumplings filled with meat and vegetables
- Shashlik – marinated grilled meat on skewers
Some popular restaurants in Ashgabat include:
- Berkarar Restaurant – known for its traditional Turkmen cuisine and live music performances
- Taze Jahan Restaurant – offers a mix of Turkmen and international cuisine with a beautiful view of the city
- Chinar Restaurant – serves a variety of dishes including plov, manty, shashlik, and seafood options
- Ashgabat Olympic Complex is a vast sports complex with multiple facilities for various sports and activities, including football, athletics, swimming, tennis, and more.
- Independence Park is a beloved public park situated in the heart of Ashgabat that boasts beautiful gardens, fountains, walking paths and a playground.
- Turkmenbashi Park is another large public park in the city with green spaces ideal for picnics or relaxation.
- Archabil Avenue is a broad avenue that runs through the city with cycling paths and pedestrian walkways for recreational activities.
- Alem Cultural and Entertainment Center is an entertainment hub that hosts concerts, exhibitions, performances and other cultural events throughout the year.
- Yyldyz Hotel Pool is an indoor pool located within Yyldyz Hotel that offers swimming sessions to the public.
- Carpet Museum of Turkmenistan displays Turkmen carpets which are renowned worldwide for their beauty and intricate designs.
- National Museum of History & Ethnography showcases local history including archaeological finds from ancient civilizations such as Parthian Empire.
- Ertugrul Gazi Mosque- This mosque built-in Ottoman style architecture is one of the largest mosques in Central Asia.
- Turkmenbashy Ruhy Mosque – This mosque can accommodate up to 10 thousand people at once making it one of biggest mosques in Central Asia.
