Turkmenistan: Introduction

Turkmenistan is a country located in Central Asia bordering the Caspian Sea. Neighboring countries include Afghanistan, Iran, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan. The geography of Turkmenistan consists of a large portion of the Garagum desert rising to mountains in the south and low mountains along border with Iran. Turkmenistan defines the government system as a secular democracy and a presidential republic but in actuality the country displays authoritarian presidential rule, with power concentrated within the presidential administration. The chief of state and head of government is the President. Turkmenistan has a planned economy since the government controls most of the economy, although there is limited private sector development.