Capital of Turkmenistan

The capital of Turkmenistan, Ashgabat, is unarguably the largest and most developed cities within Turkmenistan. The capital of Turkmenistan is positioned between a desert and a mountain range by the names of Kara Kum and Kopet Dag respectively. Although the capital of Turkmenistan is the most densely populated city of the country yet, it must be noted that the city is relatively new. Ashgabat acquired the status of a town only in 1818 when it was developed out of a small Turkmen village. However, Ashgabat could only gain the status of the capital of Turkmenistan when in 1869 Russian troops built a fort in the area so as to house their garrison. The fort immediately became the center around which trade and commerce grew and subsequently a host of buildings and factories. Thus, was born the capital of Turkmenistan, Ashgabat, and the Transcaspian Railway station only added to making the town more important.

Erstwhile U.S.S.R gained complete control of the capital of Turkmenistan in 1917 and renamed Ashgabat as Poltorask. However, Ashgabat gained back its original name with the end of the reign of terror of Stalin in the 1930's. Ashgabat became the official capital of Turkmenistan in 1924 but it regained a new industrial status after the earthquake of 1948. Ashgabat serves as the country's highest generator of revenues with so many metal working, construction and textile factories being situated there. The Kara Kum canal serves as a great respite for the residents of this desert capital of Turkmenistan. The most notable literary exponent of Ashgabat, and whose statue adorns the center of a square, is Makhtumquli. Makhtumquli is notable for his valuable contribution to Turkmen literature. Another noted personality in Turkmen history, whose statue is displayed on a pedestal in Ashgabat, is Lenin. The Communist politics of erstwhile U.S.S.R. Has left a deep impact on Turkmenistan's administration.

Ashgabat is also highly recommended as a tourist destination destination since, there are numerous historical buildings to be viewed here. Most noted among these are the Turkmen Fine Arts Museum, the Turkmen History Museum and the Ashgabat Carpet Factory's Exhibit Hall.