Once the poorest of the former Soviet republics, Turkmenistan has adjusted better than most to independence, exploiting the market value of its abundant natural gas supplies. A largely Sunni Muslim area, Turkmenistan is part of the former Turkestan, the last expanse of central Asia incorporated into czarist Russia. Much of life is still based on tribal relationships. Turkmenistan is isolated – telephones are rare and other communications limited.

Before czarist Russia annexed Turkmenistan in 1884, the Turkmen were a largely nomadic tribal people. The tribal unit remains strong – the largest tribes are the Tekke in the center, the Ersary on the eastern Afghan border, and the Yomud in the west. Tribal conflicts among the Turkmen, rather than tensions with the two main minorities – Russians and Uzbeks – are a source of strife. Paradoxically, this has meant that since independence from Moscow there has been less virulent nationalism than in other former Soviet republics. Since 1989, Turkmenistan has been rehabilitating its traditional language and culture, as well as reassessing its history. Islam is again central to the Turkmen, although few perform the haj (pilgrimage) to Mecca and many continue to maintain a cult of ancestors.

Strengths

Cotton and gas. Decision to abolish collective farms gradually encouraging private initiative and enterprise.

Weaknesses

Cotton monoculture has forced rising food imports. Thriving black market threatens value of manat.

Officially, Turkmenistan became a multiparty democracy at independence, although President Saparmurad Niyazov has banned the formation of new parties. As in other ex-Soviet states, former communists, regrouped as the Democratic Party of Turkmenistan, still dominate the political process. The DPT harbors the traditional communist suspicion of Islamic fundamentalism. President Niyazov has encouraged an elaborate personality cult. He has adopted the title of Turkmenbashi (father of all Turkmen) and had a 12 m (39 ft.) gold statue of himself erected in Ashgabat in 1998. His spiritual guide to living, the Rukhname, has been adopted as a national code.

Turkmenistan's main concern is to prevent the social and nationalistic conflicts that have blighted other CIS republics. Russian remains the bureaucratic language.

Turkmenistan is concentrating on establishing good relations with Iran and Turkey. It needs investment from both countries, but is wary of Islamic fundamentalism. President Niyazov opposes economic union with the CIS, and has also expressed caution about closer political union with other Turkic-speaking central Asian states.

Turkmenistan relies on Russia for defense. Turkmen pilots are trained in Pakistan.

During the Soviet years most Turkmen agriculture was turned over to cotton – seen by Moscow as a strategic crop.

The building of the Karakum Canal has reduced the flow of water to the Aral Sea by 35%. Plans were announced in 2000 for the construction of a large artificial lake in the Karakumy Desert.

Trains are cramped and chaotic, and buses unreliable. The border with Iran is officially closed to "foreigners."

Turkmenistan was considered the least healthy Soviet republic. Spending is now high for the region, but health indicators are still among the worst.

University students must show a knowledge of the life and works of President Niyazov and have to work for two years after their first two years of study.

Levels of crime are generally low. The death penalty was finally abolished in December 1999.

Those connected to the government remain the wealthiest group. The transition to a liberal economy has attracted high spending.

Most visitors are businessmen attracted by Turkmenistan's stability under President Niyazov. Turkmenistan may become a popular tourist destination in future; traditional Turkmen Muslim monuments are slowly being restored.

The nomadic peoples of western Turkestan came under Russian imperial control from the 1850s.

• 1924 Creation of Turkmenistan.
• 1991 Independence from USSR. Niyazov retains power, becoming president.
• 1994 Former communists win first elections.
• 1999 Niyazov's term extended indefinitely by parliament.