Ashgabat - a rare splah of colour in amongst the white marble

Turkmenistan - mile 5077

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May 7th 2010
Turkmenistan is a strange little country in so many ways. From the Caspian Sea port of Turkmenbashi we head to the capital Ashgabat then spend 2 days driving across the Karakum desert to the Uzbekistan border. Ashgabat is all grand white marble buildings topped with golden domes Presidential Palaces surrounded by rose gardens and manicured walkways. Wide avenues lined with white marble pu ... read more

Asia » Turkmenistan » Dashoguz

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Annexed by Russia between 1865 and 1885, Turkmenistan became a Soviet republic in 1924. It achieved its independence upon the dissolution of the USSR in 1991. President NIYAZOV retains absolute control over the country and opposition is not tolerated... ... read more