Turkmenistan is rich in scenic splendour and cultural treasures and has so much to appreciate that you cannot take it all in on just one occasion. With its fascinating history and cultural heritage, this mystic land lingers in your dreams long after you leave it. Situated in the heart of the Central Asian region, Turkmenistan was the crucible of ancient civilisations, empires and religions. The country traces its history back to the days of invasion by Alexander the Great in the 4th century B.C. and the Persian Empire. The regions of Turkmenistan came under the rule of the Seljuk Turks in the 11th century. And in successive centuries, the Mongols under Chenghis Khan and the neighbouring Uzbeks conquered the region respectively. In 19th century, Turkmenistan became part of the Russian Empire and emerged as the Transcaspia Region of Russian Turkistan and later became independent Soviet Socialist Republic on May 13, 1925. With disintegration of USSR in 1991, Turkmenistan achieved sovereignty.
The landscape of Turkmenistan ranges from lofty mountains of Turkmen Balkan Mountains in the west to desolate barrenness and hot dry deserts of Karakuram Desert and Turan Depression in the centre. These sandy stretches blend into the vast coastlines of the Caspian Sea. Turkmenistan also possesses a huge reserve of natural gas resources.

The earthquake monument at Ashgabat