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The Atlas Obscura Guide To Turkmenistan

15 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Turkmenistan

Updated May 1, 2024

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Turkmenistan & the Gates of Hell

Epic city structures, desert landscapes & local tea at nomadic settlements.

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Monuments 4
Ecosystems 3
Sacred Spaces 3
Mosques 3
Caves 2
Natural Wonders 2
Rites And Rituals 2
Architectural Oddities 2

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Stories About Turkmenistan

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All illustrations: John Mata for Atlas Obscura

Puzzle Monday: Aw, Hell! Crossword

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The Black Sea at Cape Kaliakra, Bulgaria.

The Paratethys Sea Was the Largest Lake in Earth’s History

The Black, Caspian, and Aral Seas are the last surviving fragments of a body of water that stretched from Austria to Turkmenistan.
by Frank Jacobs
Turkmenistan’s fiery pit, the Gates of Hell, may be extinguished after burning for decades.

Will the Gates of Hell Be Closed Forever?

Turkmenistan’s Darvaza gas crater has been on fire for decades. The inferno may finally be extinguished.
by Sarah Durn

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