Turkmenistan is located in the south-west of the Central Asia region. It has a land border to the north and east with Uzbekistan, to the south-east with Afghanistan, to the south with Iran, and to the north west with Kazakhstan. The county is landlocked apart from its access to the Caspian Sea to the west.

Most of the country is part of the Karakum Desert with some scattered oases. Mountains and foothills rise in the south, including the Kugitangtau and Kopet-Dag ranges.

The traditional life of the people is that of nomadic shepherds, though some have been settled in towns for centuries. Travelling around the country reveals a series of thriving cities, which were once important stops on the ancient Silk Road.