COUNTRY PROFILE: TURKMENISTAN
December 2005
COUNTRY
Formal Name: Republic of Turkmenistan.
Short Form: Turkmenistan.
Term for Citizen(s): Turkmenistani(s).
Capital: Ashgabat.
Other Major Cities: Balkanabat (formerly Nebit-Dag), Dashhowuz (Dasoguz), Mary, Turkmenabat (formerly Charjew), and Turkmenbashi (Türkmenbaşy, formerly Krasnovodsk).
Independence: The date of independence is recognized as October 27, 1991, the day when a national referendum called for Turkmenistan to leave the Soviet Union.
Public Holidays: The official national holidays are New Year’s Day (January 1), Memorial Day (January 12), Turkmen Flag Day and the birthday of President Saparmurad Niyazov (February 19), Women’s Day (March 8), Navruz (March 21), Victory Day (May 9), Constitution Day (May 18), Independence Day (October 27), and Turkmenistan Neutrality Day (December 12).
Flag: The background of the flag is green, with a vertical maroon stripe
close to the left edge. On the maroon stripe, five carpet designs are arranged
vertically. To the right of the maroon stripe, on the upper left of the main
green field are five white stars partially encircled by a white crescent moon.