Turkmenistan hosts a vast number of fascinating monuments from the time of the Bronze
Age, the Early Silk Road Era through to the arrival of the Mongolian armies, when
Margush, Nissa, Merw and Kunya Urgench were centers of the Bactrian-Margianian
civilization, and of the Parthian, Seljuk and Khorezm empires respectively.
The development of a distinct Turkmen national identity started with the arrival of the first
Turkic peoples into the region in the 10th century. Their descendants established the
various Turkmen tribes, such as the Teke, Yomut, Ersary, Saryk and Chowdur. Through
the centuries the Turkmen people have managed to retain their tribal peculiarities and
traditions. Turkmen carpets, Ahalteke horses, embroidery and jewelry reflect the values
that still mark Turkmen people today. Turkmen artisans still practice centuries-old crafts,
from carpet to jewelry making and silk weaving.
And although almost 80% of Turkmenistan is made up of desert, Turkmenistan also offers
surprisingly impressive and varied landscapes, flora and fauna. Subtropical forest valleys,
limestone canyons, karst caves and salt lakes can be found in the mountainous parts of
the country. The numerous mineral springs that can be found throughout the country can
be enjoyed at several excellent sanatoria. And Awaza at the Caspian Sea offers top quality
resorts at the beach.
We invite you to visit Turkmenistan, where you can experience nature's beauty and
historical monuments, where old traditions come alive and where you can step from an
ancient culture into the world of modern post -independence architecture, where hospitality
and friendliness of the Turkmen people are as warm and constant as the hot rays of the
Sun.