Ashgabat Map

Description:

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Description:

Ashgabat is the capital and largest city of Turkmenistan, located between the Karakum Desert and the Kopet Dag mountain range. With a population of approximately 1.1 million people (2021), it holds the Guinness World Record for the highest concentration of white marble buildings in the world.

Founded in 1881 as a Russian military outpost, Ashgabat has transformed into a modern metropolis characterized by grandiose architecture and wide boulevards. The city was severely damaged by a devastating earthquake in 1948 but was completely rebuilt. It features numerous architectural monuments, including the Wedding Palace, Neutrality Arch, and the Palace of Happiness.

The city's most notable landmarks include the Türkmenbaşy Ruhy Mosque, one of the largest mosques in Central Asia, the National Museum of Turkmenistan, and the Monument of Independence. The Ashgabat Olympic Complex, built for the 2017 Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games, is one of the largest sports facilities in Central Asia.

Ashgabat's economy is centered around government administration, textile production, and glass manufacturing. The city experiences an arid climate with hot summers and mild winters. The nearby Darvaza Gas Crater, known as the "Door to Hell," located in the Karakum Desert, is a popular tourist attraction. Modern Ashgabat is known for its extensive public parks, fountains, and the world's largest indoor Ferris wheel at the Alem Cultural and Entertainment Center.

The Facts:
Population: ~ 1,100,000.
Boroughs of Ashgabat: Bagtyýarlyk, Berkararlyk, Büzmeýin, Köpetdag.
Main sights: Turkmen Fine Arts Museum, Turkmen Carpet Museum, Ashgabat National Museum of History, Monument of Neutrality, Monument to the Constitution, Oguzhan Presidential Palace, Ruhyýet Palace, Wedding Palace, Türkmenbaşy Ruhy Mosque, Ärtogrul Gazy Mosque.