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Ashgabat, the capital city of Turkmenistan, is known for its grandiose and often white marble-clad architecture, which gives it a strikingly unique appearance. The city lies between the Karakum Desert and the Kopet Dag mountain range, contributing to its scenic and stark landscape. Ashgabat holds the world record for the highest density of white marble buildings, which include many government buildings, monuments, and palaces, all adorned with gold trim and elaborate lighting.
The city is also known for its monumental sculptures and wide, sweeping avenues, often comparatively quiet and traffic-free. Ashgabat’s notable landmarks include the Turkmenistan Tower, which is one of the tallest structures in Central Asia, and the Independence Monument, a significant symbol of Turkmen nationalism. The city, while appearing modern and well-planned on the surface, also has an air of surrealism due to its meticulously maintained appearance and low level of pedestrian traffic in many areas.
In addition to its architecture, Ashgabat is known for hosting major sporting events and conferences, boasting impressive facilities like the Ashgabat Olympic Complex. The city’s markets, like the Tolkuchka Bazaar, offer a glimpse into local life and traditional crafts. Despite its opulence, Ashgabat presents a blend of modernity with traditional Turkmen culture.
Ashgabat, now the capital of Turkmenistan, has a history that traces back to approximately 2,000 years ago. Its early origins are somewhat obscure, but it is believed to have been a small village inhabited by Turkmen tribes near the Silk Road. This proximity to the Silk Road meant that it was a point of trade and interaction between East and West, contributing to its growth over centuries.
The modern city of Ashgabat was founded in 1881 as a fortified garrison by the Russian Empire, following the conquest of the area during the period of the Great Game, a political and diplomatic confrontation between the British Empire and the Russian Empire for supremacy in Central Asia. The city’s name, Ashgabat, is derived from Persian, meaning “city of love” or “city of devotion,” though other interpretations suggest the name could mean “city of Arsaces,” linking it to the Parthian dynasty.
Throughout the 20th century, Ashgabat underwent significant changes and faced numerous challenges. It was incorporated into the Soviet Union after the Russian Revolution and developed as a major administrative and industrial center in the Soviet republic of Turkmenistan. The city was largely destroyed by a massive earthquake in 1948, one of the deadliest earthquakes in recorded history, which resulted in extreme loss of life and devastated much of the city’s infrastructure. This event led to a comprehensive rebuilding effort orchestrated by the Soviet government, which modernized the city’s layout and architecture.
Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, Ashgabat became the capital of independent Turkmenistan. Since then, it has seen extensive redevelopment under the successive Turkmen governments, particularly during the presidency of Saparmurat Niyazov and his successors. This redevelopment focused on constructing grandiose buildings, monuments, and public spaces, often using white marble, as a way to forge a distinct national identity and showcase Turkmenistan’s prosperity. This construction boom has transformed Ashgabat into the unique, modern-day cityscape it is known for today, marked by its striking marble architecture and monumental urban planning.
****Ashgabat is called “White City” by many. Any reason why the government trying to build such image?
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Ashgabat’s reputation as the “White City” is closely tied to its extensive use of white marble in its architecture, a design choice that is both symbolic and strategic. The government’s push to build this image can be attributed to several factors:
- National Identity and Prestige: After gaining independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, Turkmenistan, under the leadership of President Saparmurat Niyazov and his successors, sought to craft a new, distinct national identity. The use of white marble in Ashgabat’s architecture serves as a visual symbol of purity, renewal, and the forward-looking aspirations of the nation. It’s also a means of projecting an image of prosperity and development, both to the citizens and the international community.
- Record-Setting Ambitions: The extensive use of marble is not only for aesthetics but also for international recognition. Ashgabat holds the Guinness World Record for the highest concentration of white marble-clad buildings. Such achievements are used by the government to garner prestige on a global scale.
- Economic Showcase: The lavish use of expensive materials and the construction of grandiose buildings are intended to showcase the country’s wealth, which is significantly supported by its natural gas reserves. This construction boom acts as a demonstration of economic capability and stability.
- Control and Governance: The meticulous planning and uniform style of the city also reflect the authoritarian nature of the Turkmen government. By controlling the city’s appearance, the government maintains a form of order and control over the environment and, symbolically, over the population.
- Tourism and Diplomacy: By creating a visually impressive and unique capital, Turkmenistan aims to boost its appeal to tourists and dignitaries. The distinctive architectural style makes Ashgabat a memorable and striking place for visitors, which can help improve diplomatic relations and increase tourism-related revenue.
The “White City” image of Ashgabat thus serves multiple purposes, from reinforcing national pride to acting as a diplomatic and economic tool on the world stage.
****List tourist attractions and monuments.
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Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, boasts a variety of tourist attractions and monuments that reflect its rich history and modern development. Here are some notable sights:
- Alem Cultural and Entertainment Center: Home to the world’s largest indoor Ferris wheel, this landmark offers stunning views of the city and a unique architectural style.
- Turkmenistan Tower: One of the tallest structures in Central Asia, the Turkmenistan Tower provides panoramic views of Ashgabat and its surrounding landscape.
- Independence Park: This sprawling park is one of the city’s largest green spaces and features numerous statues and monuments, including the impressive Independence Monument, a towering structure symbolizing Turkmenistan’s autonomy.
- Monument of Neutrality: Originally located in the city center, this towering monument topped with a statue of the first President Niyazov now stands in the suburbs. It represents Turkmenistan’s status as a permanently neutral country.
- Ashgabat National Museum of History: This museum houses extensive collections that cover the history, culture, and natural history of Turkmenistan, including artifacts from archaeological sites and traditional Turkmen art.
- Ertugrul Gazi Mosque: Modeled after the Blue Mosque in Istanbul, it is a spectacular structure that can accommodate over 5,000 worshippers and serves as a major religious site.
- Wedding Palace: A unique architectural marvel, this building is used for civil marriage registrations and features a distinctive globe-shaped structure at its top, adorned with pictures of significant Turkmen landmarks.
- Ashgabat Olympic Complex: Constructed for the 2017 Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games, this complex features state-of-the-art sports facilities and has hosted numerous international sporting events.
- Arch of Neutrality: Featuring a statue of Saparmurat Niyazov which once rotated to face the sun, the arch is a notable landmark, although the statue has since been relocated.
- Palace of Turkmenbashi: Once the presidential palace, it remains a key site, though it is generally not open to the public. Its grandiose architecture symbolizes the political power in Turkmenistan.
****What’s the population of Ashgabat? Because in the evening, hardly anyone around in the city.
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As of recent estimates, Ashgabat’s population is about 1 million people. Despite this relatively large population, the city often appears sparsely populated, especially in the evenings. This phenomenon can be attributed to several factors:
- Urban Planning and Design: Ashgabat is characterized by wide boulevards and large, spaced-out buildings. This urban layout can make the city feel emptier than it actually is because the spaces are so vast and spread out, reducing the visibility of pedestrians.
- Restrictive Regulations: There may be governmental restrictions and curfews that limit when and where people can gather, especially in the evenings. This is in line with the generally controlled nature of public life in Turkmenistan.
- Cultural Factors: The lifestyle and social habits in Turkmenistan might also influence how people use public spaces. In some cultures, evenings are spent predominantly within the home or in private rather than in public socializing.
- Economic Activities: The central areas, particularly those with government buildings and monuments, may not have many evening attractions like shops or cafes that are open late, which would otherwise draw people out.
These factors contribute to the eerily quiet atmosphere in Ashgabat during the evening hours, despite its sizeable population.
