The homeland of the Turkmen is the desert nation Turkmenistan it has the lowest population density among the countries in Central Asia. A former republic of the USSR it gained independence in 1991.
It is only after its independence that the
Turkmenistan flag came out, but it was born with a bang as it was described as the most detailed national flag in the world. It features a green field with a vertical red stripe near the hoist side that contains five carpet guls (designs used in rugs) placed above two crossed olive branches, similar to the one used on the
United Nations flag.
In the upper corner of the green field just after the red stripe, a white waxing crescent moon (a Turkic symbol) and a white five pointed star is added, as a symbol for the hope and shining future of the country and the star represents the five provinces. The red and green color had been with the Turkmen for centuries. The five traditional carpet design represents the five major tribes or houses that are incorporated as motif in the country's flag.
The addition of the wreath on the red stripe broke the carpet pattern as it was made a symbol of permanent neutrality, which was accepted by the United Nations General Assembly on December 12, 1995.
Turkmenistan is rich in hydrocarbon and natural gas and could be a boon to this underdeveloped country if extraction and delivery could be expanded and harnessed to its full potential. For the moment, the government is looking for alternative petroleum transportation routes, in hopes of breaking Russia's pipeline monopoly.
by:
The Flagman
