Outline of Turkmenistan

The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to Turkmenistan:

Contents

• Geography of Turkmenistan
• Environment of Turkmenistan
• Natural geographic features of Turkmenistan
• Administrative divisions of Turkmenistan
• Government and politics of Turkmenistan
• Executive branch of Turkmenistan
• Legislative branch of Turkmenistan
• Judicial branch of Turkmenistan
• Foreign relations of Turkmenistan
• International organization membership
• Law and order in Turkmenistan
• Military of Turkmenistan
• History of Turkmenistan
• Culture of Turkmenistan
• Art in Turkmenistan
• Sports in Turkmenistan
• Economy and infrastructure of Turkmenistan
• References

Turkmenistan is a sovereign Turkic country located in Central Asia. The name Turkmenistan is derived from Persian, meaning "land of the Turkmen". The name of its capital, Ashgabat, derived from Persian as well, loosely translating as "the city of love". Until 1991, it was a constituent republic of the Soviet Union, the Turkmen Soviet Socialist Republic. It is bordered by Afghanistan to the southeast, Iran to the southwest, Uzbekistan to the northeast, Kazakhstan to the northwest, and the Caspian Sea to the west.

According to CIA World Factbook 2006 figures, Turkmenistan ranks 5th in the world for GDP growth rate. Although it is wealthy in natural resources in certain areas, most of the country is covered by the Karakum (Black Sands) Desert. It has a one-party system, and was ruled by President for Life Saparmurat Niyazov until his death on 21 December 2006. Presidential elections were held on 11 February 2007. Gurbanguly Berdimuhammedow was declared the winner with 89% of the vote. He was sworn in on 14 February 2007.