Turkmenistan in Perspective: Orientation Guide and Turkmen Cultural Orientation: Geography, History, Economy, Security, Customs, Rural and Urban Life, Ashgabat, Turkmenbashi, Atrek River, Soviet Era

These unique guides produced by the Department of Defense provide comprehensive information about all aspects of life in Turkmenistan, with a special emphasis on geography, history, the economy, society, security and military matters, religion, traditions, urban and rural life, ethnic groups, crime, the environment, government, holidays, gender issues and much more.

CHAPTER 1: GEOGRAPHY * Introduction * Area * Climate * Geographical Divisions * Bodies of Water * Karakum Canal * Atrek River * Amu Darya River * Tejen River * Murghab River * Caspian Sea * Major Cities * Ashgabat * Turkmenbashi * Mary * Dashoguz (Dashowuz) * Environmental Hazards * Natural Hazards * Chapter 1 Assessment * CHAPTER 2: HISTORY * Introduction * Early History * Turkmen Expansion * Russian Colonial Rule * Soviet Turkmenistan * Independence * Recent Developments * Chapter 2 Assessment * CHAPTER 3: ECONOMY * Introduction * Agriculture * Industry * Energy Resources * Natural Gas * Petroleum * Banking * Foreign Investment * Standard of Living * Public vs. Private Sector * Outlook * Chapter 3 Assessment * CHAPTER 4: SOCIETY * Introduction * Ethnic Groups * Language * Religion * Islam * Eastern (Russian) Orthodox Church * Judaism * Cuisine * Traditional Dress * Gender Issues * Arts * Carpets * Jewelry * Literature * Music * Sports and Recreation * Horses * Other Games * Chapter 4 Assessment * CHAPTER 5: SECURITY * Introduction * Turkmenistan's Foreign Policy * United States-Turkmenistan Relations * Relations with Other Countries * Afghanistan * Azerbaijan * Iran * Kazakhstan * Uzbekistan * Russia * China * Police * Military * Issues Affecting Stability * Poverty * Drugs and Trafficking * Dissident Groups * Water Security * Outlook * CHAPTER 1: PROFILE * Introduction * Area * Climate * Bodies of Water * Amu Darya River * Tejen River * Murgab River * Atrek * Karakum Canal * Caspian Sea * Major Cities * Ashgabat * Turkmenbashi * Dashoguz (Dashowuz) * Mary * History * Early History * The Russians and Czarist Colonial Rule * The Soviet Era * Independence * Recent Events * Government * Media * Economy * Traditional Economy * The Current Economy * Ethnic Groups and Languages * Turkmen * Russians * Kazaks * Uzbeks * Chapter 1 Assessment * CHAPTER 2: RELIGION * Introduction * Pre-Islamic Religion * Sunni Islam * Islam in Turkmenistan * Other Religions * Religion and Government * Religion in Daily Life * Interactions Between Males and Females * Religious Events and Holidays * Places of Worship * Behavior in Places of Worship * Chapter 2 Assessment * CHAPTER 3: TRADITIONS * Introduction * Greetings * Hospitality and Gift Giving * Eating Habits * Types of Food * Dress Code * Non-Religious Holidays * New Year's Day * Novruz * Victory Day * Independence Day * Neutrality Day * Other Holidays * Dos and Don'ts * Chapter 3 Assessment * CHAPTER 4: URBAN LIFE * Introduction * Urban Issues * Healthcare * Education * Restaurants * The Market Place * Shops and Bazaars * Money and Credit Cards * Transportation * Trolleys and Buses * Taxis * Cars * Trains * Airplanes * Street Crimes and Solicitations * Chapter 4 Assessment * CHAPTER 5: RURAL LIFE * Introduction * Land Ownership * Rural Economy * Gender Issues * Transportation * Trains * Ferries * Taxis * Bus * Cars * Health Issues * Education * Who Is in Charge? * Border Crossings and Checkpoints * Border Crossings * Checkpoints * Land Mines * Chapter 5 Assessment * CHAPTER 6: FAMILY LIFE * Introduction * The Typical Household * Gender Issues * Marriage * Divorce * Status of the Elderly and Children * Social Events * Weddings * Funerals * Family Celebrations