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95-521: The discovery of the gas field was announced on 2 November 2006. Late Turkmen president Saparmurat Niyazov invited Chinese CNPC and Turkish Çalik Enerji to participate in the exploration and development of the Ýolöten field. In 2008, the gas field was audited by Gaffney, Cline & Associates . According to Gaffney, Cline and Associates (GCA), Galkynysh is five times larger than the Dauletabad gas field and fourth- or fifth- largest gas field in

190-513: A Parthian fortress constructed to protect the capital city, Nisa , based on discoveries of pottery and other artifacts in the 1970s and as recently as 2020. Other artifacts indicating settlement during the Parthian period were reportedly discovered during laying of telephone cables on the site of the Gülistan (Russian) Bazaar in downtown Ashgabat. According to Muradov, the first mention of

285-555: A Republic within the USSR. In the years following independence, Turkmenistan invested heavily in plants and machinery in an attempt to convert it from being primarily a supplier of petroleum to a more advanced economy; such investments included oil refineries and a polyethylene plant. In an interview with Rossiyskaya Gazeta newspaper, Niyazov claimed that Turkmenistan was able to process 85% of its domestic output. Additionally, numerous petroleum transportation projects were completed such as

380-552: A division of the Turkmen Ground Forces was renamed after Atamyrat Nyýazow. Today, the 22nd Motor Rifle Division "Atamyrat Niyazov" deployed in Serdar carries his name. One of the earliest acts of Niyazov was to abolish the death penalty. He also granted official human rights to the people, though they were not respected in practice, with his government being criticized as one of the worst human rights violators in

475-764: A document kept in the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs archives listing 43 Ahal fortresses, "Ishkhabad" among them. It was described as a "typical Turkmen aul ". It was formally part of Persia but de facto autonomous under Turkoman tribal control until Russian forces defeated the Teke army at the Battle of Geok Tepe in January 1881. Persia ceded Askhabad to the Russian Empire in September 1881 under

570-419: A few weeks earlier for which the president had hand-picked all candidates. Niyazov and his wife, Muza Melnikova , who was of Russian and Jewish descent, had a son (Murat) and a daughter (Irina). Niyazov became president at the transition of Turkmenistan from a Soviet republic to an independent state. His presidency was characterised by an initial crumbling of the centralised Soviet model that in many respects

665-525: A new master plan. Up until then the city had largely expanded to the east, but now the plan called for development to the south and west. This plan was used for about 20 years, and led to construction of the city's first four-story apartment buildings in the Howdan ( Russian : Гаудан ) microdistricts, formerly the site of the Ashgabat-South aerodrome, as well as annexation of three collective farms in

760-695: A pipeline from the Korpedje field to Kort-Koi in Iran. In 1991 and 2001, Niyazov issued decrees making water, gas, electricity, and refined salt free to use for ten-year periods. In 2005, Niyazov appointed Gurbanmyrat Ataýew as Minister of Oil and Gas, succeeding Atamyrat Berdyýew . Turkmenistan's other primary resources are cotton and grain. Niyazov continued the old practice of demanding yearly quotas in agricultural output, and then blaming and/or sacking deputy ministers when quotas were not met. Nevertheless, Turkmenistan had an emergent period during which there

855-608: A population of 1,030,063 (2022 census). The city was founded in 1881 on the basis of an Ahal Teke tribal village, and made the capital of the Turkmen Soviet Socialist Republic in 1924 when it was known as Poltoratsk. Much of the city was destroyed by the 1948 Ashgabat earthquake , but has since been extensively rebuilt under the rule of Saparmurat Niyazov 's "White City" urban renewal project, resulting in monumental projects sheathed in costly white marble. The Soviet-era Karakum Canal runs through

950-457: A presidentially appointed mayor ( Turkmen : häkim ): This is a reduction from the previous number of boroughs. Arçabil and Çandybil boroughs were merged on February 4, 2015, and the new etrap , named Arçabil, was in turn renamed Büzmeýin in January 2018. At that time the Abadan borough of Ashgabat, created in 2013 by annexing the town of Abadan and surrounding villages to Abadan's south,

1045-492: A specific Turkmen nature and introduced a new Latin-based Turkmen alphabet to replace Russian Cyrillic. The Latin Turkmen alphabet consists of: Aa, Bb, Çç, Dd, Ee, Ää, Ff, Gg, Hh, Ii, Jj, Žž, Kk, Ll, Mm, Nn, Ňň, Oo, Öö, Pp, Rr, Ss, Şş, Tt, Uu, Üü, Ww, Yy, Ýý, Zz. Despite emphasizing a need to move from central planning to a market economy and to a full democracy during his reign, neither plan progressed. Yearly plans set forth by

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1140-606: A straightening and widening of Atamyrat Nyýazow şaýoly plus construction of 13 high-rise apartment buildings, two secondary schools, two kindergartens, a new headquarters building for the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs, the Telekeçi shopping center, and the Development Bank. On that same date, the new Cabinet of Ministers building was also opened. In preparation for the 2017 Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games ,

1235-585: Is 38.3 °C (100.9 °F). Nighttimes in the summer are warm, with an average minimum temperature in July of 23.8 °C (75 °F). The average January high temperature is 8.6 °C (47.5 °F), and the average low temperature is −0.4 °C (31.3 °F). The highest temperature ever recorded in Ashgabat is 47.2 °C (117 °F), recorded in June 2015. A low temperature of −24.1 °C (−11 °F)

1330-549: Is primarily sediment that accumulated on the bottom of the Paratethys Ocean . The Kopet Dag mountains emerged toward the end of the Cretaceous Period . Prior to 1881 any buildings other than yurts were made solely from adobe and were limited to one story in height due to the seismic risk. As of 1900 only one building in the city was two stories tall, the municipal museum. City planning began following

1425-560: The CSTO . Turkmenistan has not participated in any United Nations peacekeeping missions. It has however become a member of Interpol . The full independence of Turkmenistan was recognised by a UN General Assembly resolution "The permanent neutrality of Turkmenistan" of 12 December 1995. As a result, in 2005 Turkmenistan would downgrade its links with the Commonwealth of Independent States becoming only an associate member under article 8 of

1520-703: The Cabinet of Ministers . His self-given title Türkmenbaşy , meaning Head of the Turkmen , referred to his position as the founder and president of the Association of Turkmens of the World . In 1999, the Assembly of Turkmenistan declared Niyazov to be president for life . In his time, he was one of the world's most totalitarian , despotic , and repressive dictators. He promoted a cult of personality around himself and imposed his personal eccentricities upon

1615-663: The Communist Party of the Turkmen SSR in 1985. He gained this post after Soviet General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev had removed his predecessor, Muhammetnazar Gapurov , following a cotton-related scandal. Under Niyazov, the Turkmen Communist Party had a reputation as one of the most hardline and unreformed party organizations in the Soviet Union. On 13 January 1990, Niyazov became Chairman of

1710-634: The Leningrad Polytechnic Institute , where in 1967 he received a diploma as an electrical engineer. After graduating, Niyazov went to study in Russia, but was expelled a few years later for academic failure. In 1962, Niyazov started his political career, becoming a member of the Communist Party . He quickly rose through the ranks, becoming First Secretary of the Ashgabat City Committee, and First Secretary of

1805-697: The Mollanepes Academic Drama Theater , the former Ashkhabad Hotel (now renamed Paytagt), the Academy of Sciences complex, and the downtown library building. On then-Karl Marx Square stood a monument to the Soviet "fighters for victory of Soviet power in Turkmenistan". The Turkmen State Project Institute undertook a feasibility study in the mid-1960s to forecast Ashgabat's development to the year 2000, and on that basis to develop

1900-566: The Ruhnama in schools, universities and governmental organizations, new governmental employees were tested on the book at job interviews and an exam on its teachings was a part of the driving test in Turkmenistan. Turkmen State University even had a "Department of the Holy Ruhnama of Türkmenbaşy, the Great", and Ruhnama Studies were pursued as a major research agenda in the country, often at

1995-677: The Seljuqs to their last full flowering. The new names came into effect with the introduction of a new labor law which stated that "the dates of professional holidays are specified by decrees of the President of Turkmenistan". These names were later abolished by his successor Berdymukhamedov in April 2008. His father Atamyrat Nyýazow 's Red Army service was used to shape how the country celebrates Victory Day on 9 May. Unlike other Central Asian countries, Turkmenistan under Niyazov put emphasis on

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2090-695: The Tashkent Soviet resumed control of the city. In 1919, the city was renamed Poltoratsk ( Russian : Полторацк ), after Pavel Poltoratskiy , the Chairman of the Soviet of National Economy of the Turkestan Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic . When the Turkmen SSR was established in 1924, Poltoratsk became its capital. The original name but in the form of "A sh khabad" rather than "A s khabad"

2185-575: The Turkmenistani presidential election featured Niyazov as the sole candidate, and chosen as the country's first popularly elected president. A year later he declared himself Türkmenbaşy , meaning "Leader of all Turkmen". In 1994 a plebiscite extended Niyazov's term to 2002 so he could oversee a 10-year development plan. The official results showed that 99.9% of voters approved this proposal. On 28 December 1999, Parliament declared Niyazov President for life ; parliamentary elections had been held

2280-642: The Walk of Health to improve the health of his population and forced the members of the government to travel it once a year. In May 2000, the government revoked all Internet licenses except for the state-owned Turkmen Telecom and in June 2001 shut down all Internet cafés. By 2005, there were 36,000 Internet users in Turkmenistan, representing 0.7% of the population. In March 2004, 15,000 public health workers were dismissed including nurses , midwives , school health visitors and orderlies . In February 2005, all hospitals outside Ashgabat were ordered to be closed, with

2375-475: The 1920s, following imposition of Soviet power, which brought with it forced collectivization . In 1926 Ashkhabad's population of 51,593 included 52.4% Russians, 13.53% Armenian, 4.3% Persians, and 29.8% "other". By 1939, Ashkhabad counted 126,500 residents, including 11.7% Armenian. The 1959 census recorded a population of 169,900, which grew to 338,000 by 1983, including 105 nationalities, of which ethnic Armenians constituted 40 percent. According to estimates of

2470-486: The 1st-2nd century BC and leveled by an earthquake in the 1st century BC. Konjikala was rebuilt because of its advantageous location on the Silk Road and it flourished until its destruction by Mongols in the 13th century. After that it survived as a small village until Russians took over in the 19th century. The near suburb of Köşi, until 2013 a separate village but in that year annexed by Ashgabat, may have been site of

2565-492: The Bikrova canyon (today Bekrewe). The city architect's office was created in 1936 but was unable to implement the new master plan "as it implied significant demolition of the existing buildings". A description of Ashgabat published in 1948 just before the earthquake noted, "In Ashgabat there are nearly no tall buildings, thus every two-story building is visible from above...", i.e., from the foothills. The tallest structures were

2660-668: The CIS charter, as such it would not participate in any of the military structures of the CIS. In 2006 the European Commission and the international trade committee of the European Parliament voted to grant Turkmenistan " most favoured nation " trading status with the European Union , widely seen as motivated by interest in natural gas, after Niyazov announced he would enter a "human rights dialogue" with

2755-606: The Choganly residential neighborhood, which is planned to include over 200 buildings on 744 hectares, and for the first time in the city's history to feature some buildings as tall as 35 stories. These will include 180 12- to 35-story residential buildings containing 17,836 apartments intended to house over 107,000 occupants. Ashgabat milestones: See also Map of the Boroughs of Ashgabat As of January 5, 2018, Ashgabat includes four boroughs ( uly etraplar ), each with

2850-720: The EU. In January 1996, Niyazov met with Sayid Abdulloh Nuri in Tehran to inform him that the attendees of a CIS summit in Moscow had agreed to renew the mandate of CIS peacekeepers in Tajikistan, which was going through a civil war at the time. On 25 November 2002, Niyazov's motorcade was fired upon at about 7 a.m. in downtown Ashgabat as he was traveling to his office from his official residence in Arshabil. Niyazov claimed that it

2945-608: The Gül zemin shopping center, and a monument to the Alabay sheepdog . In addition, the Gurtly and Choganly housing complexes, both greenfield projects, were constructed. In May 2021 the government announced plans for the "17th Line", consisting of a resort complex encircling Golden Lake ( Turkmen : Altyn köl ), the former Gurtly Reservoir, to include 268 vacation cottages plus buildings for public services and amenities. On 23 August 2022

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3040-642: The Leningrad kolkhoz neighborhood as the "14th Line", and the Gazha and Vosmushka neighborhoods as the "15th Line". Subsequent to conclusion of the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games, the "16th Line" project, a redevelopment of the Köşi neighborhood and extension of Magtymguly Avenue to the west, was begun in 2018. The "16th Line" was dedicated on November 10, 2020; it includes 16 high-rise apartment buildings,

3135-620: The Russian conquest, with "very simple planning schemes". The basic layout of downtown streets "has been preserved to this day and defined the unique character of the city structure combining linear and radial types of layout of blocks". The Russian writer Vasily Yan , who lived in Askhabad from 1901 to 1904, described the city as "a little tidy town consisting of numerous clay houses, surrounded by fruit gardens with straight streets, planted with slim cottonwood, chestnut, and white acacia planned by

3230-556: The Supreme Soviet of the Turkmen SSR , the supreme legislative body in the republic. The post was equivalent to that of president. Niyazov supported the Soviet coup attempt of 1991 . However, after the coup collapsed, he set about separating Turkmenistan from the dying Soviet Union. The Turkmen Supreme Soviet declared Turkmenistan independent and appointed Niyazov as the country's first president on 27 October 1991. On 21 June 1992

3325-653: The Trans-Caspian Railway stimulated an influx of migrants seeking employment, particularly from the Caucasus, Volga Valley, and Iran, and Askhabad's subsequent population growth was as follows: 1897: 19,426 1908: 39,867 1911: 45,384 Ethnic Russians dominated the population after 1881, with about 20 percent admixture of Caucasus-origin migrants (mainly Armenian). One source indicates that pre-revolutionary Askhabad had no Turkmen residents at all, and that they lived in nearby auls . This began to change in

3420-510: The Turkmen society. Let the entire world know that there has never been a place for evil and violence on the blessed Turkmen soil. I watched young dogs when I was young. They were given bones to gnaw to strengthen their teeth. Those of you whose teeth have fallen out did not chew on bones. This is my advice... Niyazov promoted a policy of strict neutrality in foreign affairs, refraining from seeking membership in NATO or GUAM and almost ignoring

3515-717: The US government said that by the time he died, "Niyazov's personality cult ... had reached the dimensions of a state-imposed religion." Ashgabat Ashgabat ( Turkmen : Aşgabat ) is the capital and largest city of Turkmenistan . It lies between the Karakum Desert and the Kopetdag mountain range in Central Asia , approximately 50 km (30 mi) away from the Iran-Turkmenistan border . The city has

3610-476: The aerodrome at Howdan redeveloped, and creation of the Parahat ( Russian : Mir ) neighborhoods to the south and industrial parks to the east. In 2013, Ashgabat annexed a portion of the then-Ruhabat district of Ahal Province as well as the city of Abadan (previously named Büzmeýin, and renamed that as a neighborhood) plus all land and villages in between. The southern boundary of Ashgabat was extended southward to

3705-524: The capital city Ashgabat , in a country where at that time more than half the population lived in rural areas, once stating that, "If people are ill, they can come to Ashgabat." Under his rule, Turkmenistan had the lowest life expectancy in Central Asia. Global Witness , a London-based human rights organisation, reported that money under Niyazov's control and held overseas may be in excess of US$ 3 billion, of which between $ 1.8–$ 2.6 billion

3800-613: The city architect was Abdulla Ahmedov, who introduced Soviet modernism to Ashgabat. Ahmedov's greatest architectural accomplishment during this period is considered the Ashgabat Hotel (today renamed Paytagt Hotel), built between 1964 and 1970, "a harmonious synthesis of architecture and monumental art". In 1948 Ashgabat was described before the earthquake as lying "on a sloping plain of the Kopet-Dag foothills, stretching seven kilometers from west to east and five kilometers from

3895-508: The city spent $ 5 billion on residential construction. December 4, 2014, the president issued a decree calling for construction of 60 9-story apartment buildings in the Parahat-7 microdistrict, a greenfield project in the southeast quadrant of the city. On November 10, 2015, the "13th Line" was dedicated, a complete reconstruction of buildings along Oguzhan köçesi west of Garaşsyzlyk şaýoly. Projects included demolition and redevelopment of

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3990-486: The city was included in the Guinness Book of Records as possessing the world's highest concentration of white marble buildings. Ashgabat's "11th Line" project was dedicated on June 29, 2012, including 17 high-rise apartment buildings along 10 ýyl Abadançylyk şaýoly, two secondary schools, two kindergartens, a fire station, and a health clinic. The "12th Line" project was completed October 1, 2014, consisting of

4085-674: The city, carrying waters from the Amu Darya from east to west. Today, as the capital of an independent Turkmenistan, Ashgabat retains a multiethnic population, with ethnic Turkmen as the majority. In 2021, it celebrated 140 years of its written history. Ashgabat is called Aşgabat in Turkmen , ( Russian : Ашхабад , romanized :  Ashkhabad ) in Russian from 1925 to 1991, and عشق‌آباد ( ' Ešqābād ) in Persian . Before 1991,

4180-500: The clock tower of the textile mill, the "round smokestack of the glass factory", two "exceptionally thin minarets" of the "former mosque", and "two splendid towers over the long building of the main city hotel". During the 1948 earthquake, since the bulk of Ashgabat at that time was built of either adobe or fired brick , all but a very few buildings collapsed or were damaged beyond repair (the reinforced concrete grain elevator, Church of St. Alexander Nevsky , and Kärz Bank were among

4275-553: The communist system, with his image replacing those of Marx and Lenin . During his rule, Niyazov created a strong cult of personality around himself, which resembled the one around the Kim dynasty in North Korea. He renamed the town of Janga and city of Krasnovodsk after his nickname Türkmenbaşy , and renamed schools, airports, Ashgabat streets, and even a meteorite after himself and members of his family. The city of Kerki

4370-424: The cost of academic disciplines. Niyazov claimed those who read it thrice were destined for heaven. Like Kim Il Sung , there is even a creation myth surrounding him. During Niyazov's presidency there was no freedom of the press nor was there freedom of speech. This further meant that opposition to Niyazov was strictly forbidden and major opposition figures were imprisoned, institutionalized, deported, or fled

4465-428: The country's sacrifice during the Second World War. In 2005, Niyazov flew to Moscow to celebrate the diamond jubilee of the war's end, and just days prior, he congratulated Turkmen veterans of the war as well as Russian veterans on behalf of Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian veterans on behalf of Viktor Yushchenko . Individually, Niyazov's father was awarded the honorary title of Hero of Turkmenistan in 1994 and in 2004,

4560-431: The country, and their family members were routinely harassed by the authorities. A silhouette of Niyazov was used as a logo on television broadcasts. The eccentric nature of some of his decrees, and the vast number of images of the president led to the perception, especially in western countries, of a despotic leader, rich on oil wealth glorifying himself whilst the population gained no benefit. For these, and other reasons,

4655-435: The country, such as renaming Turkmen months and days of the week to references of his autobiography the Ruhnama . He made it mandatory to read the Ruhnama in schools, universities and governmental organizations; new governmental employees were tested on the book at job interviews and an exam on its teachings was a part of the driving test in Turkmenistan. In 2005, he closed down all rural libraries and hospitals outside of

4750-470: The country. In Ashgabat, he erected a rotating, $ 12 million, golden statue of himself that always faces the sun. Niyazov gave every citizen a watch with his portrait in its dial. Niyazov simultaneously cut funding to and partially disassembled the education system in the name of "reform", while injecting ideological indoctrination into it by requiring all schools to use his own book, the Ruhnama , as their primary text. He also made it mandatory to read

4845-460: The days of the week , to Turkmen heroes, poets, historical events, family members and himself was an unexpected development. For example, September was renamed Ruhnama in honour of the book written by Niyazov (which he finished writing on 19 September 2001). Not all the changes promoted Niyazov; October was renamed Garaşsyzlyk (Independence) to mark the state's founding on 27 October 1991, and November Sanjar in honour of Sultan Sanjar who led

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4940-833: The depth of 3,900 to 5,100 metres (12,800 to 16,700 ft). Galkynysh consist of Iolotan, Minara, Osman and Yashlar fields. Other nearby gas areas are Gunorta Garakel, Garakel, Giurgiu, Gazanly, Gundogar Eloten and Gunbatar Yandakly. Oil reserves are 300 million tons. The crude oil extracted at Galkynysh is transported to the Seýdi Oil Refinery. The field is developed by Türkmengaz . CNPC, Hyundai Engineering and Petrofac built gas processing plants. Saparmurat Niyazov President of Turkmenistan Government election Others Family [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] Saparmurat Atayevich Niyazov ( Russian : Сапармурат Атаевич Ниязов ; Turkmen : Saparmyrat Ataýewiç Nyýazow ; 19 February 1940 – 21 December 2006), also known as Türkmenbaşy ,

5035-409: The existing network of city streets as it was economically unjustified to redesign them". The city was described as "...a Communist-era backwater, rebuilt into a typically drab provincial Soviet city..." The plan was updated in 1959. Among the buildings erected in the 1950s and 1960s were the headquarters of the Central Committee of the Turkmenistan Communist Party, the Council of Ministers Building,

5130-404: The first Bahá'í House of Worship was built in Askhabad. It was badly damaged in the 1948 earthquake and finally demolished in 1963. The community of the Bahá'í Faith in Turkmenistan was largely based in Askhabad. By 1915 Askhabad featured branches of the Russian State Bank, Persian Accounting Loan Bank, Russian-Asian Bank, Société Générale , and Askhabat Mutual Credit Union. Soviet rule

5225-409: The following microdistricts: In 1871 a Russian visitor named Strebnitskiy counted over four thousand "nomad tents" (yurts), implying a population of 16 to 20 thousand Ahal Teke Turkmen, many of whom were killed or dispersed in the 1881 Battle of Geok Tepe . The population was 2,500 in 1881, virtually all Russian. By 1886 Askhabad's population was about 10,000, mainly ethnic Russians. Construction of

5320-534: The foothills of the Kopet Dag mountains. Overall, Ashgabat's land area rose by 37,654 hectares. The following municipalities were abolished due to their incorporation into the city of Ashgabat: city of Abadan, towns of Jülge and Ruhabat, villages of Gökje, Gypjak, Birleşik, Magaryf, Herrikgala, Ýalkym, Gurtly, Hellewler, Ylmy-Tejribe bazasy, Ýasmansalyk, Köne Gurtly, Gulantäzekli, Serdar ýoly, Gaňtar, Gyzyljagala, Inerçýage, Tarhan, Topurly, and Ussagulla. A further expansion occurred January 5, 2018, when additional land to

5415-401: The former Gurtly Water Reservoir, recently renamed "Golden Lake" (Altyn köl). Ashgabat's boroughs are subdivided into microdistricts ( Russian : микрорайоны, singular микрорайон , Turkmen : etrapçalar, singular etrapça ). These are administrative units that possess no independent governance structures. They are used for management of utilities and publicly owned housing. Ashgabat includes

5510-592: The government and a centralised economy gave little indication of moving away from state-dominated economics, and the dictatorial nature of many of his decrees and his declaring himself "President for Life" gave little hope as to much progress in these two areas. Turkmenistan has the second-largest oil reserves in the former Soviet Union, generating high revenue for the state. The government has used central planning , such as state control of production and procurement, direct bank credits with low interest rates, exchange rate restrictions, and price controls, since it existed as

5605-423: The government announced plans to demolish one- and two-story houses in several microdistricts of central Ashgabat and to replace them with modern apartment buildings. A map of the areas intended for urban renewal was broadcast on national television that day, but no indication of a timeline was given. The largest current residential project is construction of "Ashgabat-City" ( Turkmen : Aşgabat-siti ) north of

5700-434: The government staged the attempt to crack down on mounting domestic and foreign political opposition. Ethnic Russians in Turkmenistan were disproportionately targeted in the aftermath. The summer of 2004 saw a leaflet campaign in the capital, Aşgabat, calling for the overthrow and trial of Niyazov. The authorities were unable to stop the campaign and the President responded by firing his Interior minister and director of

5795-438: The hand of military engineers". Another description noted, In 1930, asphalt was used for the first time to pave Ashgabat's streets. The water supply was increased by piping water from springs in neighboring Gämi and Bagyr. The first master plan for Ashgabat, developed between 1935 and 1937 at the Moscow Institute of Geodesy, Aerial Imagery, and Cartography, envisioned expansion to the west, including irrigation and greening of

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5890-458: The main square, named in honor of General Mikhail Skobelev , commander of Russian forces during the 1880–1881 Trans-Caspian military campaign. These included as well the western boundary avenue, named in honor of General Nikolai Grodekov, and the city's central avenue, renamed in the 1890s to honor General and Trans-Caspian Governor-General Aleksey Kuropatkin , both of whom had served in the Trans-Caspian campaign under Skobolev's command. In 1908,

5985-439: The name goes back to the Parthian era, 3rd century BC, deriving from the name of the founder of the Parthian Empire , Arsaces I of Parthia , in Persian Ashk-Abad (the city of Ashk / Arsaces ). Ashgabat is in near proximity, approximately 50 km (30 mi), to the Iranian border. It occupies a highly seismically active oasis plain bounded on the south by the foothills of the Kopet Dag mountains ( Turkmen : Köpetdag ) and on

6080-450: The name was usually spelled Ashkhabad in English, a transliteration of the Russian form. It has also been variously spelled Ashkhabat and Ashgabad. From 1919 until 1927, the city was renamed Poltoratsk after a local revolutionary, Pavel Poltoratskiy . Although the name literally means "city of love" or "city of devotion" in modern Persian, the name might be modified through folk etymology . Turkmen historian Ovez Gundogdiyev believes that

6175-399: The near suburbs and their conversion into residential neighborhoods, one of which, Leningrad kolkhoz, to this day is referred to informally by its former name. The plan was reworked in 1974, and this resulted in relocation of several industrial plants away from the city center, and thus creation of the industrial zones to the northwest, south, southeast, and northeast. Between 1961 and 1987

6270-421: The north by the Karakum Desert . It is surrounded by, but not part of, Ahal Province ( Turkmen : Ahal welaýaty ). The highest point in the city is the 401 metres (1,316 ft) high sandhill upon which the Yyldyz Hotel was built, but most of the city lies between 200 and 255 metres (656 and 837 ft) of elevation. The Karakum Canal runs through the city. Like the rest of Turkmenistan, Ashgabat's soil

6365-614: The north was annexed, incorporating the Gurtly Reservoir and two greenfield residential construction projects, known today as Täze Zaman. This statute also established the current four boroughs of Ashgabat. The Kopet Dag mountain range is about 25 kilometres (16 mi) to the south, and Ashgabat's northern boundary touches the Kara-Kum desert. Because of this Ashgabat has a cold desert climate ( Köppen climate classification : BWk , bordering on BWh ) with mediterranean influences. It features very hot, dry summers and cool, short, somewhat moist, winters. The average high temperature in July

6460-407: The police academy on national television. He accused the minister of incompetence and declared: "I cannot say that you had any great merits or did much to combat crime." Niyazov later announced that surveillance cameras were to be placed at all major streets and sites in Turkmenistan, an apparent precaution against future attempts. Niyazov became a substitute for the vacuum left by the downfall of

6555-448: The predominantly Islamic nature of Turkmen society, Niyazov granted pardons each year on the Laylat al-Qadr ( Night of Power ) in the month of Ramadan . For example, in 2005, 8,145 convicts were pardoned, including 229 foreign nationals. In 2006 Turkmenistan set free 10,056 prisoners, including 253 foreign nationals from 11 countries. Niyazov said: Let this humane act on the part of the state serve strengthening truly moral values of

6650-423: The railroad right-of-way to the south, in the direction of the mountains". Through the mid-1970s, Ashgabat was a compact city, as shown by the 1974 Soviet military's General Staff map J-40-081. The village of Köşi, collective farm "Leningrad", airport, and suburbs to the north were outside the city limits. Beginning in the 1970s, Ashgabat's boundaries shifted outward, with the aforementioned municipalities annexed,

6745-441: The reason being that the sick should come to the capital for treatment. All libraries outside of the capital were also closed, as Niyazov believed that the only books that most Turkmens needed to read were the Quran and his Ruhnama. In January 2006, one-third of the country's elderly had their pensions discontinued, while another 200,000 had theirs reduced. Pensions received during the prior two years were ordered to be paid back to

6840-624: The residential area, surrounded by walls and a moat." Sixty-seven Turkmen families were compensated for the land confiscated from them for this construction. Russia developed the area due to its proximity to the border of British-influenced Persia. In 1882 a wagon road was built through the mountains to Quchan , Iran , which led to increased trade as well as settlement of Persian and Armenian merchants in Askhabad. The Trans-Caspian railway reached Askhabad in 1885. The population grew from 2,500 in 1881 to 10,000 in 1886 and 19,428 (of whom one third were Persian) by 1897. The Transcaspian Public Library

6935-491: The revival of Turkmen culture as one of the top priorities in Turkmenistan's development. He introduced a new Turkmen alphabet based on the Latin alphabet to replace Cyrillic . The National Revival Movement , an organisation to promote Turkmen culture (Turkmen: "Galkynish"), was also founded. In many respects, Niyazov's cultural ideas and changes were most visible to external viewers. His renaming of months, as well as most of

7030-622: The settlement in modern times is found in Khiva chronicles of 1811. British Lieutenant Colonel H.C. Stuart reported in 1881 that the Ahal branch of the Teke tribe of the Turkmen ethnic group arrived in the area around 1830 and established several semi-nomadic villages ( auls ) between what are now the city of Gyzylarbat and village of Gäwers , inclusive. One of these villages was named Askhabad. The first Russian reference to Ashgabat dates to 1850, in

7125-426: The state. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan strongly denied allegations that the cut in pensions resulted in the deaths of many elderly Turkmens, accusing foreign media outlets of spreading "deliberately perverted" information on the issue. On 19 March 2007, Niyazov's successor Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow reversed his decision by restoring pensions to more than 100,000 elderly citizens. In keeping with

7220-754: The structures that survived). According to Turkmenistan's official news agency, A new general plan was hastily developed by July 1949. The city was divided into four zones: central, northern, eastern, and southwestern. Reconstruction of the city began in that year. Thus from the early 1950s through 1991 Ashgabat's skyline was dominated by the Brutalist Style favored by post-Stalin Soviet architects. The city's central avenue, Magtymguly (former Kuropatkin, Freedom, and Stalin Avenue), featured "monotonous and primarily two-story construction of administrative and residential buildings". This reconstruction "preserved

7315-546: The terms of the Akhal Treaty . The city was officially founded January 18, 1881, as a fortified garrison and was named after the Turkmen village on that site. Russian military engineers platted the garrison settlement "on the western edge of the aul (village) of Askhabad on the Gaudan (Howdan) road leading to Persia. The fortress stood on a hill 12 meters high, on which was constructed a citadel-redoubt, and below [it],

7410-659: The world . In December 2009, the contracts to develop the field were awarded to CNPC, Hyundai Engineering and Petrofac . In November 2011, the field was renamed as Galkynysh. Production started in September 2013. The gas field ranks among the world's five largest with estimated reserves of between 4 and 14 trillion cubic metres (140 × 10 ^ and 490 × 10 ^  cu ft) of natural gas and proven commercial reserves of 2.8 trillion cubic metres (99 × 10 ^  cu ft). It lies on 2,700 square kilometres (1,000 sq mi) zone of 90 kilometres (56 mi) in length and 30 kilometres (19 mi) in width in

7505-468: The world. Press freedom under Niyazov's leadership was much criticised as it was with other post-Soviet Central Asian states. The Turkmen media constantly doted on the president and helped build his cult of personality. In 1998, Niyazov closed the Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan . It was reopened in 2009 after his death by his successor Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow . In January 2000, Niyazow inaugurated

7600-426: The years since, many of them have been replaced with names honoring Turkmen scholars, poets, military heroes, and figures from art and culture, as well as celebrating the nation's independence. For example, Karl Marx Square became Garaşsyzlyk (Independence) Square, Ostrovskiy Street became Abba Annaýew (in honor of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov 's great-uncle), and Freedom Avenue became Magtymguly . In 2013,

7695-519: Was a Turkmen politician who led Turkmenistan from 1985 until his death in 2006. He was the first secretary of the Communist Party of Turkmenistan from 1985 until 1991 and supported the 1991 Soviet coup attempt . He continued to rule Turkmenistan as president for 15 years after independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. Turkmen media referred to him using the title His Excellency Saparmurat Türkmenbaşy, President of Turkmenistan and Chairman of

7790-399: Was abolished and its territory was merged into the newly renamed Büzmeýin borough. The former Ruhabat borough was abolished at the same time and its territory absorbed by Bagtyýarlyk borough. On 15 June 2020, Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov announced intention to create a fifth borough of Ashgabat, to be called Altyn etraby, centered on the new resort zone created on the shores of

7885-772: Was allegedly situated in the Foreign Exchange Reserve Fund at Deutsche Bank in Germany. Niyazov was born on 19 February 1940 in Gypjak (or Kipchak), just outside Ashgabat in the Turkmen SSR . He was a member of the influential Teke tribe of the Turkmens . According to the official version of his biography, his father, Atamyrat Nyýazow , died in World War II fighting against Nazi Germany , while other sources contend that he dodged fighting and

7980-522: Was an attempt at a coup, and as a result, the Turkmen government arrested thousands of suspected conspirators and members of their families. Among the figures who were arrested/purged were former Foreign Ministers Boris Şyhmyradow and Batyr Berdiýew , as well as Major Begench Beknazarov of the Turkmen Ground Forces and Chief of the General Staff Lieutenant General Serdar Charyyarov. Critics claim

8075-534: Was erected. During World War II Ashgabat became a refuge for both institutions, including Moscow State University and the Kiev film studio, and individuals. Roughly 8,000 refugees were quartered in private homes during the war. Among the outsiders who escaped to Ashgabat during the war were Andrei Sakharov and author Yury Olesha . In 1944 Ukrainian motion picture director Mark Donskoy filmed Rainbow ( Ukrainian : Веселка , Russian : Радуга ) in Ashgabat, which

8170-482: Was established in 1885, boys and girls high schools were founded in 1886, and the Kuropatkin School of Horticulture and Viticulture appeared in 1890. The first telephone station was installed in 1900. The city was regarded as a pleasant municipality with European-style buildings, shops, and hotels. Several streets were named after Russian military figures, reflecting its status as a garrison town, including

8265-739: Was established in Ashgabat in December 1917. However, in July 1918, a coalition of Mensheviks , Social Revolutionaries , and Tsarist former officers of the Imperial Russian Army revolted against the Bolshevik rule emanating from Tashkent and established the Ashkhabad Executive Committee . After receiving some support (but even more promises) from General Malleson , the British withdrew in April 1919 and

8360-424: Was heavy investment in plant and machinery so the country could change from a producer of raw cotton to a cotton processor. During Niyazov's presidency, a textile industry was founded in Turkmenistan. Niyazov introduced the practice of " Melon Day ", a harvest festival celebrated on the 2nd Sunday of August; unlike some of his other creations, the celebration of "Melon Day" has continued after his death. Niyazov put

8455-480: Was nominated for an Academy Award as best foreign film. From this period onward, the city experienced rapid growth and industrialisation, although severely disrupted by a major earthquake on October 6, 1948. An estimated 7.3 on the Surface magnitude scale , the earthquake killed 110–176,000 (⅔ of the population of the city), although the official number announced by Soviet news was only 40,000. The earthquake

8550-517: Was recorded as one of the most deadliest natural disasters in Soviet history. In July 2003, street names in Ashgabat were replaced by serial numbers except for nine major highways, some named after Saparmurat Niyazov , his father, and his mother. The Presidential Palace Square was designated 2000 to symbolize the beginning of the 21st century. The rest of the streets were assigned larger or smaller four-digit numerical names. Following Niyazov's death in 2006, Soviet-era street names were restored, though in

8645-471: Was recorded in January 1969. Snow is infrequent in the area. Annual precipitation is only 201 millimetres (7.91 in); March and April are the wettest months, and June to September are the driest months. In May 2022, 338 millimetres (13.31 in), 1,352% of the monthly normal, was reported. Ashgabat grew on the ruins of the Silk Road city of Konjikala , first mentioned as a wine-producing village in

8740-478: Was renamed for his father, and city of Ýylanly for his mother. The doting actions of the official Turkmen media supported his cult of personality. The national anthem of Turkmenistan referred to him. According to the newspaper Neytralny Turkmenistan physicians were ordered to swear an oath to the President, replacing the Hippocratic Oath . Statues and portraits of him were put everywhere throughout

8835-527: Was restored in 1927. In keeping with standard Soviet practice, Imperial Russian street names were changed to honor prominent Communists, Russians, or socialist ideals. For example, Skobolev Square became Karl Marx Square, Grodekov Street became Ostrovskiy Street, and Kuropatkin Avenue became Freedom Avenue (and from 1953 to 1961, following Joseph Stalin 's death, Stalin Avenue). In 1927 a statue of Vladimir Lenin designed by A.A. Karelin and Ye.R. Tripolskaya

8930-439: Was therefore sentenced by a military court. His mother and two brothers were killed in the devastating 1948 Ashgabat earthquake . His mother, Gurbansoltan Eje , was part of the cult of personality later. He grew up in a Soviet orphanage before the state put him in the custody of a distant relative. After finishing school in 1959, he worked as an instructor in the Turkmen trade-union exploratory committee. He then studied at

9025-509: Was unsuited for a transition to smaller, separate states. There was outside concern about press freedom and to a lesser extent religious rights of minority religious groups. Niyazov made a personal attempt to create a cultural background for the new state of Turkmenistan by writing and promoting the Ruhnama , an autobiography meant to guide the people of Turkmenistan with his ideas and promote native culture (and by extension prohibiting foreign culture). He also took part in creating new holidays with

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