TURKMENISTAN

Turkmenistan is a country located in Central Asia, bordered by Kazakhstan to the north, Uzbekistan to the east, Iran to the south, and the Caspian Sea to the west. Despite recent changes, their Oriental character of Turkmenistan has been preserved in unique architecture, decoration of buildings, numerous mosques, and ancient monuments. The country is rich in natural resources, with large reserves of natural gas contributing significantly to its economy. The capital city of Ashgabat is known for its impressive architecture, with numerous extravagant government buildings and monuments throughout the city. Turkmenistan is also home to the Karakum Desert, which covers most of the country and is home to unique wildlife such as the rare Asiatic cheetah. Despite its wealth and cultural heritage, Turkmenistan has been criticized for its lack of democratic freedoms and human rights violations.