Turkmenistan

Turkmenistan mainly consists of deserts. With only 5 million inhabitants, it is one of the most sparsely populated countries in the world

Governmental buildings, monuments, palaces and hotels were all recently built with foreign help (mostly from Turkey) and money from the sale of oil. In the outskirts of the capital each Ministry possesses its own hotel. All are located just next to each other, and each boosts more luxury and splendour than its neighbour. Whether there are any guests using these 23 hotels remains unknown, as travellers are not even allowed to enter.

There are no remnants of older buildings as a devastating earthquake had destroyed the old city in 1948. Ruins of the 2500-year-old city Nisa are located about 20 km outside of Ashchabat.

Outside the capital in rural areas, you could almost believe you have gone back in time, when you see the donkeys and horses being used as the main means of transportation.

What to See and Do

Right next to the excavation site of the old city, lies what is probably the longest set of stairs of this world: 21 km long, made of concrete, covering desert hills and valleys, and illuminated with millions of lights at night.

About 20 km outside of Ashchabat, are dozens of gambling halls and casinos. It is reported that the son of Turkmenbashi has lost there millions of dollars. The casinos all belong to the state (Turkmenbashi) himself and therefore, no money is really lost when his son is gambling at home.