Turkmenistan remains one of Central Asia’s most mysterious countries. Historically, it stood at the crossroads of the ancient Great Silk Road, linking East and West through legendary cities such as Merv. Today, with Ashgabat as its capital, Turkmenistan serves as an important international transport and transit corridor, connecting Central Asia with the Persian Gulf and beyond. Across its vast desert landscapes, modern highways trace the paths once travelled by ancient Silk Road caravans, connecting historic settlements with rapidly developing cities across the map of Turkmenistan.
Where Is Turkmenistan Located?
Turkmenistan is a landlocked country located in Central Asia. It shares borders with Kazakhstan to the northwest, Uzbekistan to the north and east, Afghanistan to the southeast, and Iran to the south. Although technically landlocked, Turkmenistan also borders the Caspian Sea to the west, giving the country access to one of the world’s largest inland bodies of water.
Regions of Turkmenistan
Turkmenistan is divided into five administrative regions, locally known as welaýatlar. During the Soviet era, these regions were referred to as oblasts. The five regions are Ahal, Balkan, Dashoguz, Lebap, and Mary. The capital city, Ashgabat, is administered separately as a şäher (city) and holds the status of an independent administrative and territorial unit with provincial-level authority.
Each region in Turkmenistan is further divided into districts, known locally as etraplar. As of 20 December 2022, the country had 37 districts, 49 cities (şäherler), including seven cities with district-level status (etrap hukukly), 68 towns (şäherçeler), 469 rural councils (geňeşlikler), and 1,690 villages (oba ilatly ýerler).
Map of Turkmenistan
Major Cities in Turkmenistan
The capital and largest city of Turkmenistan is the white-marble city of Ashgabat. Serving as the country’s political, cultural, and economic center, Ashgabat is renowned for its grand monuments, wide boulevards, and monumental architecture. The city is located just 50 km from the Iran–Turkmenistan border, at the foothills of the Kopet Dag Mountains.
Within Balkan Region, two major cities play an important role in the country’s economy and transportation network. Türkmenbaşy, located on the Caspian Sea coast, is Turkmenistan’s principal port city and a major centre for trade, shipping, and the energy sector. Balkanabat, the administrative capital of Balkan Region, is closely tied to the country’s oil and gas industry and is also known for its remarkable yet often overlooked Soviet-era mosaics.
Türkmenabat, located in Lebap Region near the border with Uzbekistan, is an important transportation and commercial hub. Together, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan form a vital regional transit corridor, connecting landlocked Central Asia with neighbouring markets and trade routes.
Daşoguz is the administrative centre of Daşoguz Region in northern Turkmenistan. The city is known for its agricultural significance and its proximity to several important historical and archaeological sites.
Mary, the administrative centre of Mary Region, is one of the country’s most historic cities. Located near the ancient Silk Road city of Merv, Mary remains an important centre for natural gas production, agriculture, and regional commerce.
Major Cities on the Map of Turkmenistan
Physical Geography and Landscape
Vast deserts, dry plains, and rugged mountain ranges dominate the landscape of Turkmenistan. Around 80 per cent of the country is covered by the Karakum Desert, one of the largest sand deserts in the world, stretching across the majority of Turkmenistan.
In the south, the Kopet Dag Mountains form a natural border with Iran, while to the west the country borders the Caspian Sea, an important trade lifeline despite Turkmenistan’s largely landlocked geography.
The eastern and northern regions consist mainly of dry steppes and desert plains, where rivers such as the Amu Darya provide vital water resources for agriculture and daily life in this otherwise arid environment.
Although the geography and climate may appear harsh, these landscapes have shaped trade routes, settlement patterns, and cultural exchange for thousands of years, from the ancient Silk Road to the modern transport corridors that cross the desert today.
Roads, Railways and Transport Routes
Transport routes have played a crucial role in the development of Turkmenistan for centuries, from the caravan trails of the ancient Silk Road to the modern highways and railways that cross the country today.
During the Soviet era, much of Turkmenistan’s transport infrastructure was developed to support regional trade, industry, and resource extraction across the Soviet Union. Railways connected major cities within Turkmenistan and linked them with neighbouring Soviet republics, strengthening economic integration across the region.
Today, modern roads stretch across the map of Turkmenistan, linking historic Silk Road settlements such as Merv with rapidly developing cities like Mary and Ashgabat. Rail corridors connecting Turkmenistan with neighbouring countries remain essential for freight transport and regional trade across Central Asia.
On the Caspian Sea coast, Türkmenbaşy serves as the country’s principal maritime gateway, playing a key role in international shipping and trade across the Caspian region.
Despite this harsh geography, roads, railways, and transport corridors have played a key role in shaping the country’s development.
How to Explore Turkmenistan?
Turkmenistan remains one of the most challenging post-Soviet countries to visit, yet also one of the most unique and fascinating. Most mainstream tours focus primarily on Ashgabat and the famous Darvaza Gas Crater, often called the “Gates of Hell.” Beyond these well-known attractions, however, lie some of the country’s most intriguing cities, including Türkmenbaşy, Balkanabat, and Mary.
By taking the less-travelled roads, visitors can discover a more authentic side of Turkmenistan, one shaped by Silk Road history, desert landscapes, Soviet heritage, and modern development.
Want to discover and learn more about Turkmenistan? Then join us on our Turkmenistan tour and discover a country more for less.
Join one of our Privet Tours and explore the destinations we travel to along the way.
