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Please note that the content of this book primarily consists of articles available from Wikivoyage or other free sources online. This is a land that is at one time gripped by authority and yet overcome by spirituality. The traditional life of the Turkmen is that of nomadic shepherds, though some have been settled in towns for centuries. The country is known for its fine carpets (one is even featured in its flag) and horses. Ancient cities like Merv, Dekhistan (also known as Misrian) and Konye-Urgench inspire visions of slow-moving caravans plodding along the ancient Silk Road. Remnants of their urban tissue are still there, slowly disintegrating under the weight of tribal warfare and time. The modern and manicured Ashbagat (otherwise known as the city of love) will give you another slant on Turkmen culture, while Eastern Turkmenistan´s fertile plains and numerous historical sites make it a must. Nature-lovers will appreciate the haunting beauty of the Karakum (Black Sand) desert and the occasional quirks of coloured canyons, dinosaur footprints and burning gas craters. This book offers information on Turkmenistan and its most notable places.

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