Turkmenistan is one of the few countries of any size left on the globe which is not the subject of a dedicated travel guide in English (major competitors cover Central Asia as a region). Yet, lying as it does at the heart of the Silk Road route, it is a historically and culturally rich land. Travelers can gain insight into the heritage with the clear itineraries supplied of the major archaeological sites of Merv and Konye Urgench and coverage of Turkmen pilgrimage shrines. For travelers looking to explore further afield, this guide spans the whole country comprehensively, including little-known sites such as the Yangakala canyon and the flaming crater at Darvaza. Turkmenistan is currently one of the safest countries in the Central Asia region, particularly where personal safety is concerned. Features include: >Information catering to all travelers: businesspeople, volunteer workers, archaeologists, and intrepid adventurers >Silk Road archaeological treasures, ex-Soviet era relics, and post-independence monuments >Horse trekking, how to buy Turkmen carpets, and other activities >Paperwork, visas, and how to surmount red tape