Turkmenistan is an independent state in Central Asia, and a member of the United Nations. Unlike most entries, its formal name adds nothing to the short one. Ashgabat is the capital.
Around 7.5 million people live there, placing it 105th of 250 by population — between Hong Kong above it and Libya below. Measured only against its own subregion, it is 2nd of 5 in size and 4th in population.
By land area it covers 488,100 km², which ranks it 54th of the 250 countries and territories in this dataset — just behind Spain and just ahead of Cameroon. Put next to a country most people can picture, it is a fraction smaller than Spain.
Where Turkmenistan is and what surrounds it
The coordinates the dataset gives are 40.0° N, 60.0° E, which puts it in the northern hemisphere, roughly 4,453 km from the equator, in what geographers would call temperate latitudes.
The United States, Spain and Greece sit at almost exactly the same latitude on other parts of the globe.
It borders 4 neighbours: Afghanistan, Iran, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. The largest of them by area is Kazakhstan, while the most populous is Iran. Together those neighbours hold about 191.2 million people.
This is one of the world's landlocked countries. That is true of 45 of the 250 entries here, so all seaborne trade runs through a neighbour's ports. 3 of its neighbours, Afghanistan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, are landlocked too. You can see the full picture on the landlocked countries page.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Population, density and language
Spread across 488,100 km², that works out at about 15 people per square kilometre, which makes it less crowded than the typical entry on this list. For comparison, the median entry on this list sits near 90 per square kilometre.
It recognises 2 languages: Russian and Turkmen. Russian, the first listed, is shared with 7 other entries worldwide.
The demonym is Turkmen, so residents are Turkmens.
Inside Asia it places 34th of 50 by population, and it accounts for 9.1% of everyone living in Central Asia.
Currency and codes
It uses the Turkmenistan manat (m, TMT). It is issued for Turkmenistan alone.
Ashgabat is the seat of government and the answer most quizzes are looking for.
The top-level domain is .tm. The international dialling code is +993. In ISO terms it is tm in two letters and TKM in three.
Turkmenistan is one of the 193 UN member states in this dataset. The other 57 entries are territories, dependencies or observers, which is why totals on this site run to 250 rather than the familiar 195.
Neighbouring countries
Turkmenistan shares borders with 4 countries:
Fun facts about Turkmenistan
- It is landlocked, one of 45 entries here with no coastline of its own.
- The United States and Spain sit at almost the same latitude, on the far side of the globe.
- Ranked by land area, Turkmenistan is 54th out of the 250 countries and territories on this site.
- It lies about 4,453 km from the equator, in temperate latitudes.
- In land area it is a fraction smaller than Spain.
- People from Turkmenistan are known as Turkmens.
- The Turkmenistan manat is used here and nowhere else on this list.
Turkmenistan — frequently asked questions
- What is the capital of Turkmenistan?
- The capital of Turkmenistan is Ashgabat.
- Which countries border Turkmenistan?
- Turkmenistan borders 4 countries: Afghanistan, Iran, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. Kazakhstan is the largest of them by area.
- Is Turkmenistan landlocked?
- Yes. Turkmenistan has no sea coast, which makes it one of 45 landlocked entries in this dataset. Everything it imports or exports by sea has to cross a neighbour's territory first, and that transit dependency is a well-documented drag on trade costs.
- What is the population of Turkmenistan?
- Turkmenistan has a population of about 7.5 million, which makes it the 105th most populous of the 250 countries and territories listed on this site. Hong Kong sits just above it and Libya just below.
- How big is Turkmenistan?
- Turkmenistan covers 488,100 km², ranking 54th of 250 by land area. That makes it a fraction smaller than Spain.
- What currency does Turkmenistan use?
- Turkmenistan uses the Turkmenistan manat, written m (currency code TMT). No other entry in this dataset uses it.
- What language is spoken in Turkmenistan?
- Turkmenistan lists 2 official languages: Russian and Turkmen.
- Where is Turkmenistan located?
- Turkmenistan is in Central Asia, part of Asia. Its reference coordinates are 40.0° north and 60.0° east, roughly 4,453 km from the equator in temperate latitudes.
- Is Turkmenistan a country?
- Yes. Turkmenistan is a sovereign state and one of the 193 UN members listed on this site.
