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Text|Curious Objects Observatory
Editor|Curious Discoveries
When it comes to the word "sweat BMW", everyone will certainly not be unfamiliar, and it is said that the sweat left by its running is as bright red as blood. Hence the name. As an excellent horse, sweat and blood BMW has been loved by many handsome generals in ancient times. The most famous of these was Liu Che, Emperor Wudi of Han. In order to get the sweat and blood BMW, he did not hesitate to send a business team of 10,000 people to the hometown of such a good horse. It was a small country that many people have never heard of today, and his name was Turkmenistan.
Turkmenistan's international popularity is infinitely approaching zero. Speaking of which, there may be some questions: should the name of an excellent country be resounding all over the world? In this way, more allies and partners can be co-opted. In this regard, the Turkmenistan said: "Your happiness is impossible for you to imagine!" "So what does this small Central Asian country really look like?
Relevant history
location
Turkmenistan is a landlocked country located in Central Asia. It is bordered by the Caspian Sea to the west, Iran to the south, Afghanistan and Uzbekistan to the southeast and northeast. In the country's 2020 census data, Turkmenistan's population is only 5.72 million people. It is comparable to the level of a medium-sized prefecture-level city in our country. Combining the country's area of 491,200 square kilometres, Turkmenistan's population density is only 13 persons per square kilometre. (Chinese is 147 people per square kilometer)
Historically, this land is like a copy in the game, which was invaded by Turks, Persians, Mongols and many other foreign races. More than 2,000 years ago, the Scythians ("Scythians" means "shooting" or "loitering" in the ancient language) migrated here from the southern Russian steppe. As nomads, their horse training skills are very high.
In order to conquer the endless desert in the region, the Scythians have been continuously cultivated and practiced, and finally left a large number of excellent horse breeds for Turkmenistan. This also contributed to the breeding of sweaty BMWs in later generations. Around 600 BC, a group of uninvited guests broke the tranquility here.
Tucumans in the revolution
They were armies from the surrounding Persian Empire. With the blessing of high military literacy, the local Scythians were quickly conquered by them. The arrival of the Persian army also opened a history of humiliation for Turkmenistan. Since then, the area has been invaded and conquered by foreigners.
It was not until the 15th century, more than 2,000 years later, that the Turkmen nation was formed in the true sense of the word. But this does not mean that Turkmenistan is free from being overrun by other regimes. For the next 200 years, the area remained under the control of the Uzbeks and Persians.
In 1917, two major revolutions broke out in Tsarist Russia (the February Revolution and the October Revolution). At that time, the Turkmens resolutely supported the Red Army and joined the Bolsheviks.
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During the war, the Turkmens, taking advantage of the high mobility of the cavalry, constantly harassed behind enemy lines. They repeatedly cut off the logistical supply lines of the Tsarist Russian army, increasing the superiority of the Red Army on the frontal battlefield. It can be said that the Turkmen made no small contribution to the success of the revolution.
On October 27, 1924, the place entered a new historical process. It was renamed the "Turkmen SSR" and joined the Union of Soviets. Become one of the allies of the latter.
Social fear of the state
Gas plants
With the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, the whole world changed dramatically. In fact, on the eve of the fall of the Soviet Union, all five Central Asian countries, including Turkmenistan, strongly opposed independence. Because the economic situation of these countries is really bad. There used to be a dragon boss with them, and they still had the opportunity to report to the group to keep warm. But today's independence means that everything has to start from scratch. This is a fact that is difficult for all five Central Asian countries to accept.
But in any case, the defeat of the Soviet Union was a foregone conclusion. Turkmenistan was forced to become independent on 27 October 1990. It was also one of the last independent members of the former Soviet Union. After becoming a sovereign State, Turkmenistan faces two major threats from both internal and external sources.
Internally, in 1971, Soviet exploration teams discovered a large amount of oil and gas resources in the desert of their own country. According to statistics, Tajikistan's oil reserves are about 20.8 billion tons. The proven reserves of natural gas are a terrifying 19.5 trillion cubic meters (it is estimated that the country's total natural gas reserves may reach 50 trillion cubic meters). Ranked fourth in the world.
America and oil
It stands to reason that the discovery of such a huge amount of resources should be a national celebration in Turkmenistan, but let us not forget that there is such a country in the world. It does not produce oil itself, but it controls the vast majority of the world's oil resources. As the saying goes, "where there is oil, there are them", yes, you guessed it, it is the "United States of America" that people hate dogs.
And look at Turkmenistan's neighboring countries. Iran has been devastated by U.S. sanctions, not to mention Afghanistan. The direct invasion of the U.S. military into its homeland made the Afghan people feel the care of "freedom and democracy" (war and artillery). This is where Turkmenistan's external threat lies, and the United States cannot do without both.
Therefore, the Turkmen know that if they do not act, they will carry out reforms. It is bound to become the next target of the United States. Thus, five years after independence, Turkmenistan passed a United Nations resolution and became a "permanently neutral country". That is: not to participate in any form of organizational war; not to join any League of Nations; A country that believes in the supremacy of peace and justice.
Capital Street View
In addition, permanent neutrality has a right of its own. That is, no country should draw it into war. This phrase is clearly addressed to the United States. In order to better maintain neutrality, Turkmenistan began to implement a closed-door policy.
They do not allow too much foreign production into the country and control the movement of people very strictly. If an overseas traveler wants to visit Turkmenistan, he must first apply for immigration approval, which is difficult for ordinary people to pass without the recommendation of the country's citizens.
The most bizarre thing is that all the electronic communication devices of the foreign population in the country are forced to implant a GPS software (and there are few local networks in the country) to monitor their whereabouts. If the former does not comply with the relevant regulations, Turkmenistan's police immediately come to the door and impose tough methods on their repatriation. So how did such a self-enclosed country achieve economic prosperity?
Muffled to make a fortune
Central Asia Gas Pipeline
Have you ever heard of gasoline for five cents a liter, tap water for a dime a ton? Such magical prices are present in Turkmenistan. Thanks to the country's large oil resources, Turkmenistan's energy problem has been well solved.
In addition to this, they also use natural gas as their main export resource. China is Turkmenistan's only designated trading country. According to the data, in the first half of 2022 (6 months) alone, Mainland has purchased about $4.51 billion worth of pipeline natural gas from it.
Turkmenistan's natural gas provides the basis for the development of China's new energy industry. The two sides have also established a deep friendship in long-term trade cooperation. The export of natural gas has greatly improved the country's economic situation. Having money, the Turkmenistan government has implemented a policy of high welfare for the population.
National beauty
Low prices are just the tip of the iceberg. In addition, Turkmenistan has introduced "10 years of compulsory education". The Government covers all expenses for school-age children. If a small number of outstanding students want to study abroad, the official will also provide them with high study subsidies. (The main destinations for their study abroad are also China)
Under such a moral regime, Turkmenistan's citizens are bursting with happiness. As a result, the crime rate in the country is very low, and the vast majority of the population is proud of their nationality and identity. This, combined with the above-mentioned closed-door policy, has resulted in the following "miracle" facts. Turkmenistan is the only country in the world that has no confirmed cases of coronavirus.
At the same time, the Turkmenistan government is also quite aware of danger in times of peace. They have a clear understanding of the country's development prospects. Oil and gas resources are finite after all. Relying solely on them to sustain the economy will only end up in the end. So if you want to stay in the world for a long time, you must achieve transformation.
national flag
The wool textile industry is the second largest industry in the country. Turkmenistan's arid climate is an excellent growing place for cotton crops (similar to the situation in Xinjiang on the mainland). The country produces more than one million tons of cotton every year. Moreover, Turkmenistan was invaded by the Persian Empire in ancient times. Therefore, the excellent textile technology of the Persians was also inherited by the local population.
Woolen sweaters, scarves, cotton yarn and other items produced in Turkmenistan are exported to other countries abroad. Their national treasure is also associated with the cotton textile industry, which is known as the "Turkmen cultural heritage". Women in the country receive systematic weaving lessons from an early age. And when they become adults, many people will also work in related types of industries.
The flag of Turkmenistan is the most complex in the world. In addition to the regular background color and geometric figures on the flag, there is also a list of these five exquisite carved patterns on the left. They all come from textile crafts. It also represents the five jurisdictions of the country.
According to 2021 data, Turkmenistan's per capita GDP has reached $10,311 (compared to $13,000 in China during the same period), ranking first in Central Asia. No one could have imagined that a small country with a small population, harsh natural environment and closed environment could create such excellent economic data, which can be described as a model of "making a fortune with a muffled voice".
If Turkmenistan's policy of isolation lies in the wisdom of escaping the political vortex. Their partnership with China is the finishing touch to their quest for a breakthrough. It is believed that in the future, the relationship between the two countries will be more friendly. Walk together on the path of abundance and happiness.