Turkmenistan is a country in Central Asia bordered by the Caspian Sea and largely covered by the Karakum Desert. It’s known for archaeological ruins including those at Nisa and Merv, major stops along the ancient trade route the Silk Road. Ashgabat, the capital, was rebuilt in Soviet style in the mid-20th century and is filled with grand monuments honoring former president Saparmurat Niyazov.

The capital’s Turkmen Carpet Museum contains a vast collection of the country’s famous handcrafted carpets, while the Ashgabat National Museum of History showcases traditional handicrafts and regional art. Just outside Ashgabat, swimmers are drawn to the thermal waters of Köw Ata, an underground lake. To the north and east are other significant archaeological sites, including the ruins of Urgench, dating to the 11th century, and Gonur Tepe, a massive Bronze Age settlement. The popular beach resort towns of Turkmenbashi and Avaza frame the Caspian Sea.

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