Turkmenistan is a country in Central Asia. It has borders with Afghanistan, Iran, Kazakhstan , Uzbekistan and has a coastline on the Caspian Sea.
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| National motto: Xxxxx | |||||
| Official language | Turkmen | ||||
| Capital | Ashgabat | ||||
| President | Saparmurat Niyazov | ||||
| Area - Total - % water  | Ranked 51st  488,100 km² Negligible  | ||||
| Population 
 - Total (2002) - Density  | Ranked 113rd
 4,603,244 9.4/km²  | ||||
| Independence
 - Declared - Recognised  | (Event Xxxx)
 October 27, 1991 (Year)  | ||||
| Currency | Turkmen manat | ||||
| Time zone | UTC +5 | ||||
| National anthem | Independent, Neutral, Turkmenistan State Anthem | ||||
| Internet TLD | .TM | ||||
| Calling Code | 993 | ||||
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History Main article: History of Turkmenistan
Annexed by Russia between 1865 and 1885, Turkmenistan became a Soviet republic in 1925. It achieved its independence upon the dissolution of the USSR in 1991.
Politics Main article: Politics of Turkmenistan
President Saparmurat Niyazov retains absolute control over the country and opposition is not tolerated.
Welayatlar Main article: Welayatlar of Turkmenistan[?]
Turkmenistan is divided into 5 welayatlar (singular - welayat):
Ahal Welayaty[?] (Ashgabat), Balkan Welayaty[?] (Nebitdag[?]), Dashhowuz Welayaty[?] (formerly Tashauz[?]), Lebap Welayaty[?] (Charjew[?]), Mary Welayaty[?]
Note: administrative divisions have the same names as their administrative centers (exceptions have the administrative center name following in parentheses)
Geography Main article: Geography of Turkmenistan
90% of the country is covered by the Kara Kum desert.
Rivers include: Amu Darya, Hari Rud
Economy Main article: Economy of Turkmenistan
Extensive hydrocarbon (natural gas) reserves could prove a boon to this underdeveloped country if extraction and delivery projects can be worked out.
Demographics Main article: Demographics of Turkmenistan
Culture Main article: Culture of Turkmenistan[?]
| Date | English Name | Local Name | Remarks | 
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