Under Niyazov, the Turkmen Communist Party had a reputation as one of the most hardline and unreformed party organizations in the Soviet Union. Homosexuality is still very much disapproved of socially. The Ringling Brothers and Cirque du Soleil may yet have their day in the Turkmen sun. The capital city of Turkmenistan, Ashgabat, resembles a blend of Pyongyang and Las Vegas due to its fountains, boulevards, statues, and white buildings. Good to know, right? Turkmenistan president Saparmurat Niyazov (1991-2006) passed unusual laws during his term in the pretext of preserving ancient Turkmen culture. For many in the west, it's hard to keep the countries of Central Asia straight, no matter how fascinating and unique each one may be. All foreign visitors, with the exception of accredited diplomats, are charged a tourism tax of 2 US dollars for each day of their stay in Turkmenistan. An unmarried woman cannot go skydiving on a Sunday. (9 May 2020). He made the book mandatory to be studied in schools, universities and government offices. ft.) which is also the Turkmenistan Broadcasting Center tower. The locals were ordered to recite Ruhnama every day. Within mosques, it was to be treated the same as the Quran. Originally from the U.S. Daniel has lived abroad since 2001 and most recently has been on the road since 2006. Niyazov also ordered the closure of all libraries outside the capital, stating that the reason was that ordinary Turkmens did not read anyway. However, as of 2019 it still hasn't been. At any time,. Unlike other Central Asian countries, Turkmenistan under Niyazov put emphasis on the country's sacrifice during the Second World War. Those of you whose teeth have fallen out did not chew on bones. It's no wonder why Turkmenistan had the lowest life expectancy in all of Central Asia at the time. The crater burns continuously in the desert, creating the impression of the gates of hell. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); The Fact Site is the number one source for the most interesting & random facts about animals, celebrities, food, films, games & so much more. Read More | Work With Us, Travel and life evangelist. 2015 saw Turkmenistans first satellite launched, in the same month all satellite dishes were banned across the country in an attempt to stop Turkmens gaining access to international media. SUBSCRIBE for More Travel Videos: http://bit.ly/2hyQnZ1 Get My Top 100 Travel Pics FREE! It's not the only wackadoodle law that still exists in the States. It is so hard to legally get to the county that smuggling cartels are a better option for many. and talks with Tajik opposition leader. You see, in Turkmenistan, everything submits to the will of the leader; The birds do not sing, the sun does not rise, and the wind does not blow without his consent. We were so close to a visit when we were in this area in 2018, but we were a little nervous about Turkmenistan and Tajikistan and were also running out of time. July 1983 officially saw the hottest day in Turkmenistan and the Soviet Union it was recorded at the Repetek Reserve at 122 F. Turkmenistan has the 6th largest oil and natural gas reserves in the world. However, it still exists, albeit in a non-rotating form, out in the suburbs of Ashgabat. ASHGABAT IN THE GUINNESS BOOK OF WORLD RECORDS, A picture of capital city Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. [4], In 2005, Niyazov appointed Gurbanmyrat Ataew as Minister of Oil and Gas, succeeding Atamurad Berdyev.[19]. Here are 20 such weird facts about Turkmenistan: A complex visa regimen makesTurkmenistan one of the least visited countries in the world. 60 Weird Laws Around the World By Lissa Poirot and Brittany Alexandra Sulc, updated on February 7, 2023 Getty Images Every country is different, and every country's laws are different. Other laws were merely based on the whim of a president with full power and control. New York: Overlook Press, 2009. p227. The presidents passed other laws just because he had the power to do so; for example, he named the days of the week after his immediate family members. No more than 2 packets of 20. But if you`re looking for a place off the beaten path where few travelers have been before you, this is definitely the place for you. A mixture of Disneyland meeting North Korea with its incredible architecture, yet lack of freedoms, this country has a very rich history of violence. In November 2005, he ordered that doctors should swear an oath to him instead of the, In the same month, he ordered the country's oil minister to learn. Spandex ban Another ban in the vein of "it's un-Turkmen." The good folks over at Olivet Nazarene University put together an infographic of some of the most outrageous, confusing and downright weird legislation instilled around our . He was first secretary of the Turkmen Communist Party from 1985 until 1991 and supported the 1991 Soviet coup attempt. There is no shortage of natural beauty and places to visit in Turkmenistan, but a shrewd visa regime hinders the growth of the tourism sector. The Turkmen government closely controls what goes on in Turkmenistan's many theaters. Geologists decided to turn it on, hoping it would burn after a few days. The situation with real estate is quite acceptable, but not as pleasant as before. President for Life, Saparmurat Niyazov implemented many laws throughout his reign, here are just a few: In February 2004 men were banned from having long hair or beards. There are no laws in Turkmenistan; There is only the will of the Fhrer. Even the new job applicants in their interviews would be tested on the book. All maps, graphics, flags, photos and original descriptions 2023 worldatlas.com, 10 Unique And Interesting Facts About Turkmenistan, 8 Interesting And Unique Facts About Somalia, 10 Interesting And Unique Facts About Samoa, 10 Interesting And Unique Facts About Botswana, 10 Unique And Interesting Facts About Uzbekistan. The country has a population of about 5.6 million, making it one of the least populous and sparsely populated states in Asia. Guinness World Records - Largest Indoor Ferris Wheel. Hotels include the tax as a separate item on guests hotel bills. [citation needed], Niyazov became president at the transition of Turkmenistan from a Soviet republic to an independent state. Today we are going to look at 20 facts about this little unknown country. Up to 2014, this also included the vehicles. Deserts and sand form the prominent part of the geography of the country today as it is home to Karakum desert. No, that's "Leader of Turkmen" month. [29], In March 2004, 15,000 public health workers were dismissed including nurses, midwives, school health visitors and orderlies. What's true and what's Turkmenbashi urban myth? Niyazov and his wife, Muza Melnikova, who was of Russian and Jewish descent, had a son (Murat) and a daughter (Irina). When he tried to quit, he instigated this ban so as to eliminate temptation from people smoking on the street. His mother, Gurbansoltan Eje, was part of the cult of personality later. I check as often as I can. Larger than any law, it illuminates the path of the Turkmen like the sun. It was not amended or repealed by Berdymukhamedov. A dirty car offends the President, so all cars must be clean! The National Revival Movement, an organisation to promote Turkmen culture (Turkmen: "Galkynish"), was also founded. [70][71], During Niyazov's presidency there was no freedom of the press nor was there freedom of speech. The autocratic ruler had declared himself as the President of Life and even wrote a book in 2001 called Ruhnama (The book of Soul). That's "Ruhnama", which is the title of Niyazov's book. [35] On 19 March 2007 Turkmenistan's new president Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow reversed Niyazov's decision by restoring pensions to more than 100,000 elderly citizens.[36]. Although apparently not explicitly against the law, gold teeth did fall out of favor with Turkmenistan's elite during the era of Turkmenbashi. He even went to the extent of inscribing the verses of Ruhnama and Quran on the largest mosque of Turkmenistan, Turkmenbasy Ruhy Mosque. "Eavesdropping" on your own conversations is a Class 4 felony punishable by up to three years in state prison in Illinois. It is made in compounds of rice with chunks of meat, carrot, and spices, fried in a large pan or a cauldron. Last Updated on February 17, 2018 by Audrey Scott. A year later, all hospitals outside of the capital were closed. In 2016, 6,000 tourists visited Turkmenistan. Carpets hold such prominence in Turkmenistan that there is a Ministry of Carpet in the government. In February 2004, he decreed that men should no longer wear long hair or beards because of the apparent association with, In March 2004, he fired doctors and gymnastics instructors and replaced them with military. Turkmenistan is among the world's least visited destinations. Niyazov believed that lip syncing was deterimental to the art of making music. If you believe something to be incorrect, please leave us a message below. So much white marble was used in Ashgabat that it holds the Guinness World Record for having the highest density of marble buildings. The telpek is an ancient wears that has eluded the test of time to remain relevant. The incumbent President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov was his successor and hasruled asthe dictator-President of Turkmenistan since then. Here are 20 such weird facts about Turkmenistan: 1. Here's the scoop on Turkmenistan's laws and rules based on our peek inside the country. The Turkmen Embassy in Moscow later confirmed this report. For example, September was renamed Ruhnama in honour of the book written by Niyazov (which he finished writing on 19 September 2001). President Niyazov got the statue of Ruhnama made and installed at the capital city of Ashgabat. You are here: In Ashgabat, he erected a rotating, $12 million, golden statue of himself that always faces the sun. In 2013, seven years after Niyazov`s death, Ruhnama was finally removed from public schools in Turkmenistan. Some historians believe that over one million people were killed. Social laws, which mostly apply to women, are stern. Unfortunately for barbers, all Turkmens we spoke to indicated to us that this rule was myth. It is composed of rice, carrot, meat and lots of spices cooked in a large plan. Wed like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK, remember your settings and improve government services. For example, in 2005, 8,145 convicts were pardoned including 229 foreign nationals. Sending a delicious pepperoni pizza pie to a friend out of the blue sounds like a thoughtful gesture. Apparently, lip syncing was not an activity held in high esteem by Niyazov. "The Golden Man: Saparmurat Niyazov's Reign of Insanity". The melons of Turkmenistan are so sweet and revered that they are recognized by a national holiday. One of the contentious laws outlaws gold teeth, opera, and spandex. During his time in office, he banned the act of lip syncing at public concerts as well as at public celebrations. Everything you need to know before traveling to Turkmenistan the strange country located in Central Asia. This was because it was decided that everyone should come to the capital for treatment. And changed it to the name of his mother. The land of Turkmenistan is 80 per cent desert and the life of Turkmen(citizens of Turkmenistan) is mostly nomadic. We are Daniel Noll and Audrey Scott, the husband-and-wife storytelling team behind Uncornered Market. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. In December 2020, the Ashgabat government adopted its National Gender Action Plan 2021-2025, which purportedly aims to improve standards at the national and local levels, including in the areas of health care, education, and the empowerment of women and girls. His mother and two brothers were killed in the devastating 1948 Ashgabat earthquake. Dictatorships aren't exactly known for their reasonable laws. The Karakum Desert, or Black Sand in the Turkic languages, occupies 70% of Turkmenistan, or 135,135 square miles (350,000 km). It's not like Turkmen women have a propensity to wear spandex anyway. The following is reprinted from Uncle John's Curiously Compelling Bathroom Reader. In kitapcy.com. Several places still bear his name, including the city of Turkmenbashy and the nearby town of Turkmenbashy, as well as several villages. Niyazov himself had short hair and was clean shaven. A year later he declared himself Trkmenbay, meaning "Leader of all Turkmen". Since achieving independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, the country has only had two presidents. In 2006, a 42-year-old postman from Saitama Prefecture was arrested for putting chocolate ice cream inside a mailbox. On 21 June 1992 the Turkmenistani presidential election of 1992 featured Niyazov as the sole candidate, and chosen as the country's first popularly elected president. Otherwise, we may never see you again, implying that prison or worse awaited perpetrators of orphaned vehicles. During the drilling, their equipment, including heavy machines fell into the crater, and natural gas began escaping. Constitution Constitution of Turkmenistan external link (University of Texas at Arlington) in English Executive President and Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Judicial COURTS: Supreme Court Legislative PARLIAMENT: Halk Maslahaty (People’s Council) FAOLEX: Turkmenistan external link (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) database of national laws and regulations on . Now, these subsidies are only given to a certain group of government employees, such as those who work in the oil and gas industry. One of the drivers of the Aston Martin Tokyo-to-London team was fined $100 by the Turkmen highway militsia for smoking in his own car. From the United States, based in Berlin, world-bound. President for life Saparmurat Niyazov implemented many laws during his reign, here are some of them: In February 2004, men were banned from wearing long hair or beards. Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow took power of Turkmenistan in February 2007, succeeding Saparmurat Niyazov. Dogs were banned from the capital because of their unattractive smell. Well send you a link to a feedback form. Niyazov started quite early and joined the Communist Party in 1962. Gulnara Dzhumayeva, a politician with multiple portfolios in education, culture, health care and sports, reportedly told teachers that you don`t become Russian anyway [by lightening your hair]. Darwaza Crater, or Hell`s Gates as it is famous, is not a natural phenomenon, but the result of a natural gas drilling expedition gone horribly wrong.
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