Article Outline
Turkmenistan, republic in Central Asia, bordered on the north by Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, on the east by Uzbekistan and Afghanistan, on the south by Afghanistan and Iran, and on the west by the Caspian Sea. It was formerly the Turkmen Soviet Socialist Republic (SSR) of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). Turkmenistan is the southernmost of the former Soviet republics. Its land area totals 488,100 sq km (188,500 sq mi). Ashgabat is its capital and largest city.
Turkmenistan’s terrain consists largely of plains, nearly all of which are occupied by the Kara Kum Desert and its oases. Four fifths of the country lies at an elevation of 500 m (1,600 ft) or less. The Akdzhakaya Depression, located in the north-central part of the country, is the lowest point in the republic at 81 m (265 ft) below sea level. Foothills and mountains rise along the southern and easternmost borders, some of which exceed 3,100 m (10,170 ft).
Surface-water resources in Turkmenistan are scant. Mountain run-off is slight and quickly dissipates in the desert. Rivers that originate outside the republic constitute the main surface-water features. The Amu Darya, which forms part of the country’s border with Uzbekistan, and the Murgab, which originates in Afghanistan, are the two largest permanent rivers. Extensive canal systems provide irrigation and drinking water, which are crucial for the country’s economy and well-being. The Kara Kum Canal, which diverts water from the Amu Darya to the southern portions of the country, is the longest canal in the former USSR and one of the longest in the world. Other important canals are located at the lower reaches of the Amu Darya in the northern part of the country, although the quantity and quality of water there has deteriorated in the past several decades, with severe environmental and health consequences.
The climate is desert continental, with cold winters and very hot summers. For most of the country the average daily temperature in January ranges from -6° to 5° C (21.2° to 41° F), while in July the average temperature is 27° to 32° C (80.6° to 89.6° F). Average annual precipitation ranges from 76 to 398 mm (3 to 15y in), although two thirds of the country receives 150 mm (5 in) or less.
