| This largely arid country lies to the south of | | | | remained a commercial and cultural power for |
| Uzbekistan, dominated by the Kara Kum desert in | | | | centuries before Mongol armies destroyed the |
| its center with mountains in the west and east. | | | | town in 1221. One of its most imposing features |
| The country contains some of the world's largest | | | | today is the mausoleum of Sanjar the Great, the |
| natural gas and oil reserves and is a major cotton | | | | dome of which could be seen by caravans a full |
| producer. | | | | day's journey away. |
| Historically, Turkmenistan has seen conquerors | | | | A day trip from Merv to the archaeological dig at |
| from Alexander the Great to Islamic Arabs to | | | | Margush, where remnants of a Bronze Age |
| Genghis Khan and Tamerlane, but maintained its | | | | civilization lived 3500 years ago. A palace, intricate |
| nomadic, equine identity until Soviet-era | | | | fire temple and necropolis have been excavated |
| domination. In the post communist years, | | | | and local museums contain numerous artifacts of |
| Turkmen language and culture have made a | | | | gold and semi-precious stones. |
| strong revival. | | | | Turkmenistan's capital is the city of Ashgabat, |
| The Turkmen people are legendary horsemen and | | | | rebuilt using modern principles of city planning |
| their tall, powerful horses were prized by the | | | | after being destroyed by an massive earthquake |
| Chinese in ancient times. The national handicraft is | | | | in 1948. Lush parks and hundreds of fountains |
| carpet making and Turkmen carpets are prized | | | | create a pleasant microclimate that shields the |
| throughout the world for their beautiful patterns | | | | city from the desert heat. All public buildings and |
| and superb craftsmanship. An extension of the | | | | apartments are clad in white marble, giving the |
| nomadic lifestyle of the people, carpets were | | | | city a unified beauty. The National Museum houses |
| For tourists, Turkmenistan is garden of | | | | many culturally significant antiquities, and the |
| archaeological delights. Remnants of civilizations | | | | Turkmen Carpet Museum contains many fine |
| that have been swallowed by the centuries are | | | | examples of world-renowned Turkmen carpet |
| everywhere to be found. In mountain foothills, in | | | | making skills, including one that covers a massive |
| dry riverbeds, in caves across the country you | | | | 294 square meters. |
| can find tools, domestic utensils and artworks of | | | | In the west near the Uzbekistan border, lies |
| bone, stone, ceramics and metals. Ruins of | | | | another stop along the Silk Road, Kunya-Urgench, |
| earthen houses and mountain fortresses remain | | | | site of the large State Historical and Cultural |
| from as long as 50 centuries ago. | | | | Museum-Preserve. The famous Kulug-Timur |
| A visit to Turkmenistan must include a stay in the | | | | Minaret is thought to be the tallest in Central Asia, |
| ancient Silk Road city of Merv. It is an | | | | towering nearly 200 feet. Another must-see is |
| archaeological wonderland, being actually 4 cities | | | | the Turabeg Khanym Mausoleum, with its double |
| built during different periods, a testimony to the | | | | cupola and perfectly preserved interior tile work is |
| oasis' staying power as a major center along the | | | | considered one of Asia's most outstanding |
| Silk Road from the times of Alexander. It | | | | constructions. |