Turkmenistan’s historical isolation from the outside world has led to comparisons with the secretive state of North Korea.
The central Asian country’s leaders have imposed outlandish rules and harsh living conditions on its citizens.
Laws set by the autocratic regime include a ban on young people growing beards and the banning of black cars. The country’s complicated visa procedures contribute to its status as one of the least visited countries in the world.
Turkmenistan had only 8,900 visitors per year in 2012, making it one of Central Asia’s least-visited countries.
The country’s historical isolation from the outside world also contributes to the low number of visitors. Those explorers who have been to the land-locked country describe it as an authoritarian society.
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Travel bloggers The Travel Tellers admitted in a recent video on the country that: “We have to say that Turkmenistan is a very restrictive country, and there is no freedom of press or speech.
“It is considered to be one of the most dangerous countries to live in at the moment.”
Turkmenistan’s terrain is 80 percent desert, and its people, known as Turkmen, often live a nomadic lifestyle.
Deserts, particularly the Karakum desert, dominate much of the country. The country is also known to be very big into horses.
Travel writers Travel Muse Family described passing “a huge building perhaps ten storeys tall and was told it was the Ministry of Horse.
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“When I asked the hotel manager that night, how many people work in the Ministry of Horse, he shrugged and said, ‘Fifteen?'”
Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, Turkmenistan gained independence.
The country was ruled by President Saparmurat Niyazov until his death on December 20, 2006, due to a heart attack. His successor, President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov, assumed office and has held the position since.
Travel Muse Family said they were glad once they left the country, saying: “Turkmenistan was a highly interesting country to have visited but I couldn’t have been more relieved when we finally managed to get out of Turkmenistan.”
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