At a Glance:
CIA map Turkmenistan is home to the fifth-largest natural gas reserves in the world, but to date has not been able to get much of it to market. President Saparmurat Niyazov has been one of the most vocal proponents of pipeline projects crossing Afghanistan and has actively wooed international petroleum companies to foot the bill. Population: 4,603,244 (July 2001 est.) Industries: Oil, coal, iron ore, manganese, chromite, lead, zinc, copper, titanium, bauxite, gold, silver, phosphates, sulfur, iron and steel, nonferrous metal, tractors and other agricultural machinery, electric motors, construction materials. Exports: $2.4 billion, 63 percent oil and gas (2000). Exports—Partners: Ukraine, Iran, Turkey, Russia, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Azerbaijan. Source: CIA World Factbook |