[turk-me-nuh-stan, -stahn] 
| a republic in central in Asia, bordering the Caspian Sea, Iran, and Afghanistan. 4,225,351; 188,417 sq. mi. (488,000 sq. km). Capital: Ashkhabad. |
Turk·men·i·stan (tûrk'měn-ĭ-stān', -stän')  (click for larger image in new window) A country of west-central Asia east of the Caspian Sea. Once part of ancient Persia and later ruled by Arabs (8th century), Turks (11th century), Mongols (13th-14th century), and Uzbeks (late 15th century), it was annexed by Russia in 1881 and became a constituent republic of the USSR in 1925. Turkmenistan declared its independence in 1991 following the collapse of the Soviet Union. Ashgabat is the capital and the largest city. Population: 5,100,000. |
Republic in west-central Asia, bordered by Kazakhstan to the northwest, by Uzbekistan to the north and northwest, by Afghanistan and Iran to the south, and by the Caspian Sea to the west. Its capital and largest city is Ashkhabad.
Note: This former member of the Soviet Union declared its independence in 1991.
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