Geography of Turkmenistan

Turkmenistan, a landlocked nation in Central Asia, is bordered to the west by the Caspian Sea, to the south by Iran and Afghanistan, to the north by Uzbekistan, and to the northwest by Kazakhstan. Of all the Central Asian countries, Turkmenistan has the lowest population density. Animal and plant life are inhospitable in a large portion of its waterless expanse.

Its sun-baked sandy topography is characterized by deserts, with the exception of oases that are scattered along the Amu Darya, Morghb, and Tejen rivers and in the foothills of the Kopet-Dag Range.

Physical Features

The country of Turkmenistan is situated in the southwest of Central Asia. To the northwest lies Kazakhstan, to the north and east is Uzbekistan, to the southeast is Afghanistan, to the south is Iran, and to the west is the Caspian Sea. Despite having the second-largest land area in Central Asia, the majority of Turkmenistan's territory is made up of oases that are distributed throughout desert that is otherwise unusable. With the Caspian Sea, it shares its longest boundary (1,786 km, 1,110 mi).

The other borders are with Iran (992 km/616 mi) to the south, Afghanistan (744 km/462 mi) to the south, Uzbekistan (1,621 km/1,007 mi) to the north and east, and Kazakhstan (379 km/235 mi) to the north. With a total area of 491,120 square kilometers (189,620 sq. mi), Turkmenistan has a slightly greater geographical area than Cameroon. Turkmenistan is the fourth-largest former Soviet country in terms of territory, behind Russia, Kazakhstan, and Ukraine. The country's largest north-south distance is 650 km (400 mi), and its largest west-to-east stretch is 1,100 km (680 mi).

Geographically, the southern Turan Plain makes up four out of five of Turkmenistan. The Kugitangtau and Kopet-Dag ranges are just two examples of the republic's many mountains and foothills. Because of its geological youth, the Kopet-Dag is unstable, as evidenced by sporadic earthquakes with significant destructive power.

Turkmenistan can be broadly divided into two regions: an oasis region, which includes the Kopet-Dag and other oases, and is characterized by sufficient water supply, arable land, and developed industry; and a desert region, which makes up nine out of ten of the country's land and is further divided into western Turkmenistan and the Karakum. One of the largest sand deserts in the world, the Karakum covers the entirety of Turkmenistan's central region and extends northward toward Kazakhstan.

Climate

Due to its location deep within Asia and the nature of its topography, Turkmenistan experiences a predominantly continental climate with significant seasonal temperature variations. The average annual temperature is between 57 and 61 °F (14 and 16 °C), yet this variation is incredibly vast. During the summer, the temperature rarely drops below 95 °F (35 °C), while the southeast Karakum region's absolute maximum high temperature reaches 122 °F (50 °C) in the shade.

In contrast, Serhetabat, in the far south, near the Afghan border, experiences a wintertime low of 27 °F (33 °C). The majority of the year's precipitation falls in the spring, with annual amounts ranging from as little as 3 inches in the northwest desert to as much as 12 inches in the mountains.

Flora and Fauna

The vegetation has a distinct desert character, with the exception of the oasis, mountain valleys, and plateaus. Wild grapes, almonds, figs, and walnuts can be found in the mountain valleys of the Kopet-Dag, and juniper and pistachio trees can be found on the exposed slopes. Amu Darya's islands and riverbanks are covered in extensive floodplain woods called tugai made up of black poplar, willow, reed, and cane.

Foxes, wildcats, gazelles, and tortoises live in the desert, while goats, cheetahs, lynx, snow leopards, and porcupines live in the highlands. The tugai is home to jackals, wild boars, many bird species, and the endangered pink deer; towards the southwest, wild donkeys graze on the Badkhyz and Garabil plateaus. The east shore of the Caspian Sea is home to sizable flocks of ducks, geese, and swans throughout the winter. Herring, sprat, roach, and sturgeon are abundant in the Caspian; before it was extensively contaminated, the Amu Darya provided edible carp, barbel, and pike.

Drainage

The Tejen, Morghb (Murgab, or Murgap), and Atrek are Turkmenistan's principal rivers, along with the aforementioned Amu Darya (ancient Oxus River), which flows along its northern border toward the Aral Sea. There are also other tiny mountain rivers. The most fertile—and still underutilized—lands are located primarily in the south, northeast, and west, but the major rivers run primarily in the east.

Despite this, the geographic position of the rivers and the direction of their flow do not correlate with the location of cultivable areas. One of the biggest irrigation and shipping canals in the world is the Karakum Canal, which was finished in 1967.The Amu Darya and other streams' lower courses are depleted as a result of the water lost from these canals through irrigation and evaporation in the arid climate.

Deserts

The western Turkmenistan desert is a vast, nearly waterless region, although its mountainous region, which is an extension of the Caucasus Mountains to the east, possesses mineral and fuel resources. The latter's oil, rock salt, and common lake salt reserves are very significant. One of the most industrially advanced parts of the country is Western Turkmenistan, which places a strong emphasis on the mining, chemical, and oil sectors as well as fisheries and fish processing (near the Caspian Sea).

Sheep, goats, and camel farming make up the majority of the rural population's occupations. The same arid topography, lack of surface water, unusually scant precipitation, and high summer temperatures set the Karakum and other featureless deserts apart. Furthermore, the richest pastures in the desert can be used all year round for sheep, goats, and camels. The desert is a zone rich in fuel and mineral resources.

Conclusion

Turkmenistan, a country in Central Asia, is home to a variety of landscapes, including the Caspian Sea, Rocky Mountains, and enormous deserts. The distinctive landscape of the nation includes the vast Karakum desert, river valleys, and oasis. Iran, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan are its neighbors. Temperatures can range from scorching highs of 122 °F (50 °C) to chilly lows of 27 °F (-3 °C) in this continent with its dramatic temperature variations.

With oasis and riverbanks providing diversity, the vegetation is primarily desert-like. Gazelles, foxes, wildcats, and birds are among the wildlife, while rivers like the Amu Darya are home to aquatic life. The Karakum Canal, a significant commerce and irrigation channel, is essential for managing water resources. Mineral resources abound in the arid regions, supporting enterprises such mining, chemicals, and oil.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Turkmenistan located?

Turkmenistan is located in Central Asia.

What is the significant feature of Turkmenistan's climate?

Turkmenistan has a predominantly continental climate with extreme seasonal temperature variations.

What are the major rivers of Turkmenistan?

The main rivers in Turkmenistan are the Tejen, Morghb (Murgab), Atrek, and Amu Darya (Oxus River), which flows along the northern border toward the Aral Sea.

When was Karakum Canal made?

The Karakum Canal is one of the largest irrigation and shipping canals globally, completed in 1967.

What are the primary economic activities in Western Turkmenistan?

Western Turkmenistan focuses on mining, chemicals, oil, fisheries, and fish processing.