According to eningbo, Turkmenistan in 2012 was a Central Asian country located in the southern part of the region, with a total land area of 488,100 km2 and a population of approximately 5 million people. It is bordered by five countries: Kazakhstan to the northwest; Uzbekistan to the northeast and east; Afghanistan to the southeast; and Iran to the south. The official language is Turkmen although Russian, Uzbek and other languages are also spoken in some areas. The capital city is Ashgabat which is home to around 1 million people. Turkmenistan has a long history stretching back thousands of years when it was first inhabited by various cultures including Scythians, Parthians, Sarmatians and Huns. It achieved independence from Soviet Union in 1991 when it became a republic with an elected president as head of state. The economy of Turkmenistan is largely driven by its oil and gas sector which accounts for around 50% of GDP while agriculture, manufacturing and tourism are also important sectors. Major exports include oil, gas, cotton and textiles which are exported to countries such as Russia, China and Turkey. Despite its strong economic performance there are still areas where poverty remains an issue with some estimates suggesting that around 20% of the population lives below the poverty line. The government has made efforts to reduce poverty through initiatives such as job creation schemes but more needs to be done to ensure that all members of society benefit from economic growth and development. Turkmenistan in 2015 is a country located in Central Asia with a population of around 5.2 million people. It borders Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Afghanistan, and Iran and has a total area of 488,100 square kilometers. The country has an arid climate with hot summers and cold winters. The official language of Turkmenistan is Turkmen and the currency is the manat. The economy of Turkmenistan relies heavily on the export of oil and gas, which accounts for more than 80% of government revenue. The country also produces cotton and wheat for export purposes. Turkmenistan’s culture is largely influenced by its nomadic past, which can be seen through its traditional clothing as well as its music and art forms. Traditional instruments such as the dutar are still popular today in both rural and urban areas of the country. Religion plays an important role in everyday life for many people in Turkmenistan, with most being Muslim or Eastern Orthodox Christian. Politically, Turkmenistan is ruled by President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow who has been in power since 2006 following his predecessor’s death after 20 years in office. Since then he has sought to strengthen his grip on power by introducing a series of reforms that have been met with criticism from both domestic and international human rights groups due to their authoritarian nature. Despite this tension, Turkmenistan remains an important member of several regional organizations such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and continues to play an important role in regional affairs due to its strategic location between Central Asia, Russia, China and Iran. Check computerannals for Turkmenistan in 2003.