Turkmenistan Neighbouring Countries and Central Asian Neighbors
Bordering Countries of Turkmenistan
Turkmenistan hangs out with four nearby buddies: Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, and Iran. Their lines on the map help shape Turkmenistan’s neighborhood character.
Uzbekistan Border
Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan share the longest hug of the bunch. This border stretches about 1,007 miles (1,621 kilometers) northeast of Turkmenistan. With such an extensive line, it’s the backdrop for a lot of wheeling and dealing between these Central Asian nations. If you’re curious about Uzbekistan’s other pals, check out our section on uzbekistan neighboring countries.
Afghanistan Border
On the southeast side, the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan border measures around 462 miles (804 kilometers). Marked by the Amu Darya and Murghab Rivers, it’s in a tricky spot thanks to some security issues. As a result, Turkmenistan has been beefing up security along this stretch, rolling out projects to keep things tight.
Kazakhstan Border
Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan share the shortest neighbor’s fence, coming in at roughly 237 miles (381 kilometers). Sitting on the northern tip of Turkmenistan, this line gained its official status in 2005. For more scoop on Kazakhstan’s borders, visit our page on kazakhstan neighboring countries.
Iran Border
Looking to the south? That’s where Turkmenistan’s border with Iran rolls out for about 616 miles (992 kilometers). This southern neighbor plays a key role in the trade and energy swap game between the two countries, fueling both economies and keeping regional vibes chill.
For those curious about Turkmenistan’s water smarts, mosey on over to our spot on Regional Cooperation. If you’re all about the geopolitics, why not wander through pages on nearby folks like Iran and Afghanistan?
| Border | Length (Miles) | Length (Kilometers) |
|---|---|---|
| Uzbekistan | 1,007 | 1,621 |
| Afghanistan | 462 | 804 |
| Kazakhstan | 237 | 381 |
| Iran | 616 | 992 |
These boundaries mix up the geopolitical and social scene of Turkmenistan, bringing together a patchwork of interactions with its neighbors.
Geographical Features Along Borders
Length of Borders
Turkmenistan cozies up to four neighbors: Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, and Iran, with friendships measured by a 2,321-mile stretch. Ain’t geography fun? Here’s a nifty little table breaking it down for you:
| Neighbor | Length (miles) |
|---|---|
| Uzbekistan | 1,007 |
| Afghanistan | 462 |
| Kazakhstan | 232 |
| Iran | 620 |
Border Characteristics
Each of Turkmenistan’s borders brings its own quirks in geography and security:
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Uzbekistan Border: The long champ at 1,007 miles, dotted with barbed wire fencing. Imagine keeping an eye on that desert wasteland—flat as a pancake yet stubbornly tricky due to its sheer size.
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Afghanistan Border: With 462 miles on the clock, this line gets personality from the Amu Darya and Murghab Rivers. These waterways have been making life greener and more fruitful around there for eons. Turkmenistan’s spruced things up with tighter security to keep out narcotics and unwanted visitors.
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Kazakhstan Border: A shorter 232 miles through the flat plains of the Karakum Desert. In 2017, Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan decided it was time to officially shake hands about where their backyard started, showing how neighbors can play nice.
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Iran Border: With Iran, those 620 miles serve up a mix of mountains, especially in the west. It’s a buffet of landscapes with a side of trade deals keeping things active.
Border Security Initiatives
Turkmenistan doesn’t mess around with border security. Here’s the lowdown on keeping the lines safe and sound:
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Uzbekistan Security: They’ve got fences aplenty, tech gadgets keeping watch, and folks patrolling like clockwork. Turkmenistan’s not taking any chances at their longest border.
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Afghanistan Security: Boosting security here involves sprucing up border posts, more patrol gigs, and using the rivers as natural no-go zones.
Summary of Border Initiatives
| Border | Security Measures |
|---|---|
| Uzbekistan | Barbed fencing, tech toys, patrols |
| Afghanistan | Rivers, more border posts, patrols |
For more juicy details on Turkmenistan’s treaties and neighborly agreements, head over to Border Treaties. And if you’re curious about how Turkmenistan juggles the right to roam free with security needs, check out Human Rights Watch.
Wrapping your head around these border lines gives a peek into the tricky business of Turkmenistan’s relations with its adjacent nations. Want to expand your borderline knowledge? Take a look at articles about Saudi Arabia neighboring countries and Uzbekistan neighboring countries.
Turkmenistan’s Water Resources
Major Rivers
Turkmenistan, perched right in Central Asia, needs its rivers like you need your morning coffee. About 80% of the land just doesn’t have a water source that sticks around all year. So, the rivers it does have are pretty much the VIP guests on the water scene. We’re talking about the Amu Darya, Tejen, Murgab, and Atrek.
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Amu Darya River: The heavyweight champ at 2,620 kilometers, stretching out with pals in Tajikistan, Afghanistan, and Uzbekistan (CIA World Factbook).
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Tejen River: It rolls out from Afghanistan, keeping the fields irrigated and green enough to feed folks in Turkmenistan.
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Murgab River: This one makes its debut in Afghanistan and heads into Turkmenistan, being a major player in ensuring people have water up north.
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Atrek River: Atrek pulls double duty, marking the boundary with Iran and quenching the thirst for agriculture in the west.
Together, these rivers are the life support for farming and every kind of water need you can imagine. You can read more on how countries in the area chit-chat about rivers on our page about regional border treaties.
| River Name | Length (km) | Shared With |
|---|---|---|
| Amu Darya | 2,620 | Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan |
| Tejen | 1,124 | Afghanistan |
| Murgab | 978 | Afghanistan |
| Atrek | 563 | Iran |
Hydrological Conditions
Turkmenistan wears an arid climate like it’s going out of style, so managing water is a top-tier hustle. Since most of the place doesn’t have water popping up on its own, these big rivers pull a lot of weight. The Amu Darya is basically the rockstar, being the main water source in this bone-dry region.
The water flow is like a moody teenager, changing with the seasons and snowmelt up in the highlands. Turkmenistan’s running the show with a net of irrigation channels and reservoirs, keeping that precious water managed and flowing.
For the deep dive on team efforts with Turkmenistan’s neighbors, check our section on cross-border collaborations.
Knowing the lay of the land and how these rivers fit in is key to understanding the bigger picture for Turkmenistan. They keep the crops growing and support the economy, also act as a vital part of the country’s teamwork with its neighbors and even its safety strategies.
Regional Cooperation
Border Treaties
Turkmenistan’s been making strides in getting cozy with its neighbors, hammering out formal agreements to keep the peace and clarity in border matters. A standout example is the deal inked with Kazakhstan back in 2017, pinpointing exactly where their lands kiss. This isn’t just a line on a map; it shows Turkmenistan’s serious about playing nice and sticking to international guidelines (CIA World Factbook).
Cross-Border Collaborations
But there’s more than just border chit-chat happening. Turkmenistan’s teaming up with nearby countries and big-name organizations for shared growth and success. One buddy in the business is the World Bank, which has thrown its hat in the ring with Turkmenistan on multiple projects to boost its economic and social game. These projects cover:
- Getting the financial sector into shape
- Jazzing up macroeconomic stats
- Tweaking business models
- Sprucing up corporate governance in banking
- Crafting a credit reporting system
- Carrying out national assessments on risks like money laundering and terrorist financing (World Bank)
These efforts don’t just build up Turkmenistan’s self-esteem; they also elevate its cooperative prospects with its neighbors and other world players. If you’re curious about how Turkmenistan plays nice with the countries next door, hop over to our write-up on economic relationships with neighbors.
Economic Relationships with Neighbors
Trade Partners
Turkmenistan’s got some interesting ties with the countries around it, and these ties really matter for its economy. In 2022, Turkiye and the EU were top contenders for where Turkmenistan gets its imports, with Russia trailing not too far behind (trade.gov). These connections are crucial for bringing in the goods and services that keep things running at home.
When it comes to selling stuff, mainly natural gas, China is Turkmenistan’s biggest fan. Turkiye isn’t far off either, showing up pretty high on the list of places that buy what Turkmenistan’s selling.
| Trade Partner | Import Ranking | Export Ranking |
|---|---|---|
| China | N/A | 1 |
| Turkiye | 1 | 2 |
| EU | 2 | N/A |
| Russia | 3 | N/A |
Curious about how others manage their trading games? Check out how Saudi Arabia’s neighbors do it and what’s going on near Senegal.
Natural Resource Exports
For Turkmenistan, natural gas is the money-maker. It’s the main thing leaving the country, and China’s got a big chunk of it (World Bank). To keep things interesting and profitable, Turkmenistan’s exploring options like the TAPI pipeline—looking to stretch its reach all the way to India and Pakistan. This move hopes to shake off the idea of having their eggs all in one basket with just one major buyer.
Another game they’re playing involves gas swaps, aiming to mix up who gets the goods and lessen the risks of sticking with a solo customer. These natural riches are what keep Turkmenistan in that sweet spot of having a trade surplus.
| Export Item | Primary Market | Secondary Market |
|---|---|---|
| Natural Gas | China | Turkiye |
| Crude Oil | N/A | N/A |
| Textiles | N/A | N/A |
Want to know how other countries push their export buttons? Dive into how Serbia and Slovakia handle their neighbors.
Grasping who Turkmenistan’s buddying up with, and the natural goodies it’s selling, gives a clear peek at its economic moves with the neighbors. These play a role in regional friendships and growth, offering juicy tidbits about the country’s money strategies.
Security Concerns and Tensions
Border Disputes
Turkmenistan’s got neighbors—Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, and Iran—at a lengthy 2,321 miles stretch. It’s no picnic, as some of these borders aren’t exactly peaceful, more like lines drawn in shifting sands.
Afghanistan: This one’s a real headache. Even with Turkmenistan waving the neutrality flag, its border with Afghanistan is like a powder keg. The Taliban’s uptick in activity hasn’t made things easier, stirring up loads of security worries. Afghanistan hosts some pretty rough groups, posing threats not just to Turkmenistan but the whole area like a bad neighborhood in Central Asia (8AM Media).
Turkmenistan has reluctantly set up diplomatic relations with the Taliban in Ashgabat, but that hasn’t stopped tensions. Taliban folks and Turkmen border guards have been skirmishing, which just keeps the pot boiling.
Conflict Incidents
Conflicts jump out more often than not by these borders, especially when it comes to Afghanistan:
Clashes with Taliban: There was that time when Taliban fighters squared off with Turkmenistan’s border crew. It’s like a reminder every so often of how shaky the scene is on that front. The Taliban’s playing coy, acting like it didn’t happen, but shots were certainly fired, and that tension stays electric.
Infrastructural Challenges: There’s a rough road ahead ’cause guarding this border isn’t like throwing up a hedge. Turkmenistan’s struggling with resources—like not enough boots on the ground, gear, and everything in between. They’re trying, putting more muscle in those defenses, but it’s a tough go.
Turkmenistan’s juggling a lot with these fiery borders. It’s a high-wire act keeping land and folks safe amid such risky dealings.
| Border | Conflict Type | Recent Incident |
|---|---|---|
| Afghanistan | Armed Clashes | Taliban forces vs. Turkmen border guards (8AM Media) |
| Internal Poverty and Food Security | Economic Crisis | More poverty, less bread, and higher prices than anyone wants (Human Rights Watch) |
Adding to the mess, economic downswings and not enough food fuel these tensions further. Hungry and broke doesn’t help deter the chaos. For those curious about its neighbours, eyeball Uzbekistan’s neighbors.