In the middle of Central Asia, surrounded by Iran, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and the Caspian Sea, lies a small but very ancient and beautiful country - Turkmenistan. Ashgabat, which is the capital of this politically neutral country, was founded in the middle of the century before last, although the exact date is unknown.
Today, Turkmenistan is the fourth largest in the world in terms of natural gas reserves, and the country has the second largest (we are talking about global scale) gas field.
What else is interesting about the capital of Turkmenistan? This is a city that has the rights of a region (or velayat, to use local terms). It is in it that almost 15% of the inhabitants of the entire republic are concentrated.
One of the main and most beautiful buildings in Ashgabat is the Turkmenbashi Palace. It is worth seeing, because in its grandeur and grandeur it has surpassed many world-famous buildings of Islamic culture.
The capital of Turkmenistan is proud of many other very original buildings and monuments. One of them -Turkmenbashi on top of the world.
Yes, yes, this is how communist President Niyazov imagined himself, making a pilgrimage to Mecca, receiving subsidies from Saudi Arabia, Russia and other states.
Turkmen have great respect for their state and believe that the capital of Turkmenistan is the proud owner of the world's largest fountain.
It really strikes the imagination with its size and architecture.
There are many monuments to historical figures of Turkmenistan in the city. They are very original: all the figures proudly show tourists the emblem of Niyazov - the eagle.
The absence of stereotypes surprises all of Turkmenistan, while its capital is a real discovery for people who are used to thinking in patterns. The personality of the authoritarian Niyazov is cultivated in Ashgabat, which is openly demonstrated by golden statues, pretentious monuments, personal emblems and expensive palaces.
Part of the population still wears national clothes: the new president of Turkmenistan, who has been in power since 2006, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, is in no hurry to change the situation. Military units and schools are named after him to this day, and his portraits, just like his predecessor, adorn almost every building in the city.
But today the capital of Turkmenistan surprises tourists not only with careful preservation of the remnants of the communist past. The city is home to the world's largest Carpet Museum, which houses hundreds of the best products from around the world.
The capital of Turkmenistan takes care of its people. For children, Disneyland was built here, which has working copies of all local attractions, including the Caspian Sea and a map of the country. The park - the embodiment of all folk tales - is in no way inferior to its foreign namesakes.
The city has preserved unique functioning mosques, historical architectural complexes, observation platforms, sports complexes.
However, the capital of Turkmenistan does not know the nightlife. Perhaps these are the requirements of Islam, perhaps - the method of educating young people. Don't count on a pleasant night out in Ashgabat.
But visiting this country, you can remember how people lived in the Land of the Soviets.
