Islamic countries

Islamic countries

REPUBLIC OF TURKMENISTAN

General Information

Total Land Area:	469,930 km²
Land boundaries:	3,736 km
Coastline:	0 km (Landlocked)
Capital:	Ashgabat
Other Large Cities:	Chardzhou, Dashhouruz, Mary
Official Language:	Turkmen
National Currency Unit:	Turkmen Manat (TMM)
National Day:	October 27

Location and Geography

Turkmenistan is located in Central Asia, to the North of the Kopet Dag mountain range between the Caspian Sea and Amu Derya River. The country is bordered by Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan in the North and North-east, and Iran and Afghanistan in the South and South-east. The most significant geographic feature is the Kara Kum Desert which is the largest desert in the world and covers 80 percent of the country’s total land area. Most of the mountains in Turkmenistan are inaccessible. The relic of the ancient “silk road” runs from central China through Turkmenistan until it reaches to the Mediterranean coast. Turkmenistan is located in one of the world’s highest seismic regions. The climate is subtropical desert and quite hot in summer.

Demography

Population:	4.84 million (2001)
Crude Birth Rate:	22 per thousand people (2002)
Crude Death Rate:	8 per thousand people (2002)
Infant Mortality Rate:	70 per thousand (2002)
Life Expectancy:	Male: 61 years, Female: 68 years (2002)
Urban Population:	45.0 percent (2002)
Adult Literacy:	98.00 percent (2001)

Economy

Turkmenistan’s economy is based upon its rich natural resources, particularly oil and natural gas. Its underground resources in the Western plain and those underwater along the Caspian Sea include extensive reserves of oil and natural gas, as well as deposits of mirabilite, iodine, bromine, sulphur, potassium and salt. It has the world’s fourth largest proven gas reserves as well as an enormous amount of unexplored oil. Mining of precious metals and other minerals also holds potential. Other significant economic activities of Turkmenistan include textiles, fisheries in the Caspian Sea, and the production of Karakul lamb pelts. The cultivation of fine-staple cotton and the raising of Karakul sheep, horses and camels contribute to the economy. Turkmenistan is among the world’s top ten cotton producers. Other products of the country include grains, vegetables, fruits and livestock.

GDP at Current Market Prices:	29.0 million US$ (2002)
Per Capita GDP:	51.0 US$ (2002)
Share of Sectors in GDP:	20.0% Agriculture, % Industry, % Services, (2002)
Total Exports:	2710 million US$ (2002)
Total Imports:	1819 million US$ (2002)
Major Exports Items:	Natural gas, cotton, petroleum products, textiles, electricity and carpets
Major Imports Items:	Machinery and parts, grains and food, plastics, rubber, textiles
Major Trading Partners:	Ukraine, Iran, Turkey, Russia and Germany