Terra Incógnita |
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Turkmenistan: What to See
Turkmenistan is the second largest Central Asian republic and shares lengthy borders with Iran to the south and Uzbekistan to the north and east. The country also borders Kazakhstan to the north-west and Afghanistan to the south-east. The Caspian Sea, where the major port of Turkmenbashi is located, is to the west. The Kara Kum desert comprises over 80% of Turkmenistan’s total area. The Kopet Dag mountains extend along southern border with Iran and Afghanistan. Country Profile
The Turkmens are a Turkic people divided along tribal lines, the main tribes being the Tekkes, the Yomuds, the Ersaris and the Goklans. Present-day Turkmenistan was divided three ways between Tsarist Russia and the Khanates of Bukhara and Khiva until 1881 when Russian troops captured Ashgabat. The fierce Turkmen tribes south of the Amu Darya River were subdued in 1885. Central Asian peoples given right of self-determination by Lenin after the October revolution. 1920s Soviet nationalities policy, under the direction of Stalin, saw Soviet rule enforced from Moscow by Red Army troops who put down Excursions
East of Ashgabat, Mary can be reached by car in five hours or by plane, twice a day, in one hour. If driving you will have to stay overnight, the best hotel being the 2-star Sanjar Hotel. The hotel receives mixed reviews so if you crave your creature comforts make it a day trip or do not go at all. There are two things to visit, Merv & the United Museum of History in Mary displaying archaeological finds (beads, pottery, figures) from nearby Merv. Merv is actually a number of towns spread over hundreds of |
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Идея и разработка: Terra Incógnita, 2005-2007. |
