About Ashgabat

Ashgabat is the capital and largest city of Turkmenistan, situated in Central Asia between the Karakum Desert and the Kopetdag mountain range, approximately 50 km from the Iran-Turkmenistan border. The city was founded in 1881 as a Russian military fort and became the capital of the Turkmen Soviet Socialist Republic in 1924.

The city is renowned for its distinctive white marble architecture, earning it the nickname "White City." After the devastating 1948 earthquake that destroyed much of the city, Ashgabat was extensively rebuilt under President Saparmurat Niyazov's urban renewal project. The city holds a Guinness World Record for having the highest density of white marble-clad buildings in the world.

Key Features

Economy: Ashgabat serves as Turkmenistan's economic center, benefiting from the country's vast natural gas reserves—the fifth largest proven reserves in the world. Major industries include textiles, metal working, and cotton production.

Infrastructure: The city features modern infrastructure including Ashgabat International Airport, the Trans-Caspian Railway, and the historic Karakum Canal that provides water from the Amu Darya river.

Architecture: The city showcases monumental architecture including the Independence Monument, Neutrality Monument, Turkmenistan Tower (tallest in the country at 211 meters), and the Alem Cultural and Entertainment Center with the world's tallest indoor Ferris wheel.

Cultural Significance

Ashgabat represents a unique blend of ancient Turkmen culture and modern development. The city hosts important cultural institutions including the National Museum, various theaters, and the seat of the Turkmenistan government. It is home to the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia and has become an important diplomatic hub in the region.

The city maintains a multiethnic population with ethnic Turkmen as the majority, alongside Russian, Armenian, and Azeri minorities. Despite modernization, Ashgabat preserves its cultural heritage through traditional carpet-weaving, which produces the famous Bukhara carpets sold internationally.