Turkmenistan

Turkmenistan is a landlocked country in Central Asia, bordered by Kazakhstan to the northwest, Uzbekistan to the north and east, Afghanistan to the southeast, Iran to the south and southwest, and the Caspian Sea to the west. It has an area of 488,100 square kilometers (188,500 square miles) and its capital is Ashgabat. The population of Turkmenistan is 5.6 million, most of whom are ethnic Turkmen. Turkmenistan is one of the world's leading producers of natural gas, and its reserves are estimated to be the fourth largest in the world. The country also has significant reserves of oil, coal, and uranium. Turkmenistan's economy is largely based on the exploitation of its natural resources, and the country has been working to diversify its economy and increase its exports in recent years. Turkmenistan's main export partners are China, Turkey, and Iran. The country is home to a number of interesting historical and cultural sites, including the ancient city of Merv, the capital Ashgabat, and the ancient Silk Road caravanserai of Konye-Urgench. Turkmenistan is also well known for its horse-breeding and carpet-weaving traditions.