Turkmenistan is a relatively sparsely-populated Central Asian country. The official language is Turkmen, but Russian, Uzbek, and others are also spoken. This is a diverse Muslim-majority nation. The terrain includes deserts, mountains, and seashore. Overall the climate is arid subtropical desert. Native animal species include the Asian wild ass, Zarundny’s jird, and the jungle tiger. Mainstays of the economy include oil and gas, cotton, and services like banking.

At Kugitang Nature Reserve, you can see mountain goats, caves, and the impressive Dinosaur Plateau, thought to have once been the bottom of a now dried-out lake. You can also check out the remnants of ancient peoples at the Bronze Age Gonur Depe site. In the capital of Ashgabat, you can study more modern cultures at the Earthquake Museum or the Museum of Fine Arts, and there are also great markets, mosques, and more.

Rice, buckwheat, pumpkin, and mostly wheat-based dumplings or noodles are common starchy staples. Typical vegetables include cabbage and spinach. Sheep, goat, beef, and cheese are important parts of the diet. Chal is a popular fermented camel milk drink. Try fish combined with rice, raisins, apricot, and sesame. Fruit flavors are important in savory dishes as well as desserts. Pomegranate juice is often an ingredient in rice pilav, known as plov. Sweet!