Turkmenistan - General Information
State form: Republic of Turkmenistan
Independence: October 27, 1991
National anthem: Türkmenistanyn Döwlet Gimni
Capital: Ashgabat (around 0.5 million inhabitants)
Official language: Turkmen, (other languages spoken: Russian, Uzbek)
Administrative divisions (welayaty): Ahal, Balkan, Daşoguz, Lebap, Mary
Area: 488 100 km²
Timezone: UTC+5
Highest point: Ayrybaba 3 189 m of alt.
Population: about 5 million inhabitants
The density of population: about 10 hab./km²
Religion: Muslims (89%), Orthodox (9%)
National Currency: Turkmen Manat (TMM)
Constitution: February 14, 2007
National holiday: 27th of October
Calling code: 00993
Economy: Mineral resources (natural gas, oil), agriculture (cotton)
Neighboring countries:
North: Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan
South: Afghanistan, Iran
West: Caspian Sea
In the east: Uzbekistan, Afghanistan
USEFUL INFORMATION
Passport and visa:
A tourist visa can be requested from the Turkmen Consulate or through our agency. For this, you need a passport that is valid for at least 3 months upon entry and contains at least two blank pages, a current passport photo, and the completed application form. The cost is 170 CHF (130 €) including administration costs.
Customs:
Customs legislation contains specific restrictions on the import and export of certain goods. For foreigners, the import and export of the national currency Turkmenistan-Manat are not allowed. Foreign currency can be imported without restriction, but it is necessary to specify the amount. Upon entering Turkmenistan it is necessary to complete a declaration form, mentioning all personal objects, including currency and valuable items. It is recommended to keep all receipts for purchased goods and currency exchanged at exchange offices or banks. The import and export of antiques and works of art are permitted with the permission of the Ministry of Culture. It is strictly forbidden to import drugs, ammunition, and weapons. The export of archaeological items and art, musical instruments, jewelry, and carpets can be made in the presence of documents confirming that these items have been legally acquired. With regard to the export of carpets, it is necessary to have evidence from the Ashgabat carpet museum that the carpet has no historical value. Persons aged 16, have the right to import or export personal items in reasonable quantities and travelers over 21 can import or export up to 200 cigarettes or 200 grams of tobacco, up to 2 liters of alcoholic beverages.
Money:
The monetary unit of Turkmenistan is Turkmen "manat". It is divided into 100 tenges. The manat has been in circulation since 1993. Currently, coins 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 tenge and 1 and 2 manat, bank notes 1, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 are used. Foreign currencies can be exchanged at banks, hotels and exchange offices. It is recommended to take dollar exchange as much as possible. Credit cards are only accepted at the Vnesheconombank office, at some major hotels and restaurants in Ashgabat, and at airline offices. It is almost impossible to make credit card payments in the provinces.
Current exchange rate http://www.oanda.com/lang/fr/currency/converter/
Communication:
Internet access is available in all major cities. The capital has several cafes with internet access. It is important to keep in mind that read or written information, as well as sent emails, can be checked. The computers are usually equipped with Skype and chat software. The political news websites are often inaccessible or blocked. The main telephone operator is MTS, where it is possible to get SIM cards.
Climate:
In Turkmenistan, the climate is dry and continental, with dry, hot summers and cold winters. The temperature differences are pronounced between day and night and between desert and mountains. In summer, temperatures fluctuate on average between 35°C and 50 °C, in winter temperature falls, depending on the region, down to -10 °C. Snow covers the country almost one-third of the year. Choose a trip in the fall or spring when the steppes are in bloom.
Traditions and customs:
The Muslim society in Turkmenistan is not very religious, tolerant and traditional. When you enter a Turkmen house, it is advised to take off your shoes and sit down on the floor.
Cuisine:
In Turkmenistan, you will find many dishes common to other Central Asian countries. Remember that the country is a large uncultivated wilderness, yet local food offers several vegetarian options. Taste the "plov", mutton mixed with rice and garnished with raisins, vegetables (onions, carrots), spices (cumin, coriander etc). Try shashliks or kebabs, small skewers of beef, chicken or chicken liver often served with raw onion; the "mantys", sorts of big ravioli steamed; "laghman", long pasta in broth mixed with mutton, vegetables and spices. Also enjoy traditional flatbread "lipyoshka", sold all over the street or at the market, and that goes very well with soups and shashliks. To quench your thirst, enjoy green or black tea.
Public holidays:
January 1: New Year's Day
January 12: Memory Day
January 14: Orthodox New Year
February 19: Flag Day
March 8th: Women's Day
March 21: Noruz - New Year Zoroaster
May 9: Victory Day
May 18: Constitution Day
October 6: Earthquake Remembrance Day
October 28: Independence Day
November 17: Youth Day
December 12: Feast of Neutrality
Public transport:
Ashgabat Airport is 6 km far from the city center. From Ashgabat to Turkmenbashi: The long train journey continues to be the point of many encounters. Therefore, it is definitely recommended, if you have time for it. The same applies to coaches that are faster and more comfortable than the trains.
Health:
Vaccines: No compulsory vaccines. Some infectious diseases are spread across the territory: typhoid fever, hepatitis A, and B, intestinal infections, tuberculosis, STD, brucellosis, and diphtheria. Some cases of rabies. In the desert be watchful to snakes and scorpions.
Security:
Turkmenistan, like most Central Asian countries, is not really dangerous. Crime and delinquency are much rarer here than in most western countries. However, you should take care of your luggage, lock it and not flaunt your belongings in the room. Keep money and credit cards in a safe place.
Shopping:
In a country where the desert occupies over 80% of the territory, places for shopping and tourist souvenirs are concentrated on a few points. The most unusual, diverse and colorful bazaar in Turkmenistan remains "Tolkushka" on the edge of the desert, behind the Karakum Channel near Ashgabat. Visit the market on Sunday between 7 and 13 o'clock. You will find gorgeous silk fabrics, scarves, and carpets, thick wool socks, and slippers, telpeks - stunning headdress made of colored, traditionally processed Turkmen sheep or camel wool.
Useful phone number:
Firefighter: 01
Police: 02
Emergency Medical Service: 03
Number of the telecommunications company: 0890
Information Service: (993 12) 92 28 66/69
Airport: (993 12) 39 17 17
