Turkmenistan
Turkmenistan
In a small village in eastern Turkmenistan, six-year-old Ay`jan nervously smiles as she rides her family’s donkey for the first time. With the guidance of her grandmother she is taking her favorite cow, Gyzyl, out to the field to graze.
Turkmenistan was once an important stop on the Silk Road. This historically nomadic country is made up of five tribes and family ties are still very important. Elaborate marble buildings and palaces are scattered across the capital city, and yet many Turkmens still use the simple means of transportation of a cart and donkey.
Photo © 2011 Summer Leeper
Peace Corps Volunteer, Turkmenistan 2008-2010
Turkmenistan
Central Asia
Area 488,100 km2 (RANK 53)
Arable 4.5%
Capital Ashgabat (637K)
Population 5,054,828 (10/km2)
Literacy 99%
Life expectancy 69 yrs
HIV/AIDS <0.1% (> 200 adults)
In poverty 30%
Military 3.4% of GDP (RANK 34 of 195)
Languages Turkmen 72%, Russian 12%, Uzbek 9%, other 7%
Religions Muslim 89%, Eastern Orthodox 9%
Gov’t Presidential Republic
GDP/capita $8,500
Agriculture cotton, grain, melons, livestock
Industry gas, crude oil, petrochemicals, textiles, cotton fiber
PCVs 1993-2013, TTD 734
Adult Books
by Jonathan Maslow, 1994
Paperback: 342 pages
Publisher: Random House; 1st edition (March 15, 1994)
Language: English
ISBN-13: 978-0679408758
Book Description
Naturalist/filmmaker, Maslow, profiles the dedication of owners/breeders and their struggles to preserve the fabled, once endangered Akhal-Teke horses.
Kids' Books
by Gloria Whelan
Format: Hardcover, 32 pages
ISBN-13: 978-1585364183
Age Range: 5-8 years
Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press, 2009
Films
Film: Karakum
Directors: (1994)
Documentary: Shadow of the Holy Book
Director: (2006)
Documentary: Turkmenistan – Christmas in Ashgabat
Producer: (2005)
Documentary: Black Sands
Also see review at IMDB
Director: (2008)
Focus Word
Focus Word for 2014 - "Home"
Turkmen (official): oy (oy)Russian: dom (dohm)
Copyright © Julie Olsen
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Returned Peace Corps Volunteers of Wisconsin-Madison is a public charity registered under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of the United States. Its EIN is 39-1669348. It is also an affiliate group of the National Peace Corps Association (NPCA).
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