• Horse riding and falconry are traditional sports played in Turkmenistan.
• Falconry is the hunting of birds. But, a falconer (hunter) also finds out breeding patterns,and has to conduct ethnographic activities by collecting data.
• Horse riding is popular and Turkmenistan hosts a special horse called the Akhal-Teke horse. It is known for speed and intelligence.
• Horse racing is also popular, especially at the Hippodrome in Ashgabat, during the spring and fall seasons.
• Football is a popular team game that is played.

• The food there is similar to that of Western Asia and there is a strong Russian influence.
• Some popular foods are: Plov (a staple food), Manty (noodle dumplings),Shorpa (meat), and Mutton (a speciality fired in a clay oven with aromatic woods).
• For some people night life consists of going to the opera, ballet, and dancing.
• Shopping is very popular, especially at the Sunday markets. It is where you can find rugs, handicrafts, silver, and costumes.

• It is made up mosty of nomadic cattle raising
• Mostly made up of desert, some irrigated oases, and lots of gas and oil resources-fifth largest in the world
• Hosts 1/10 of irrigated land to cotton, making it the tenth largest producer
• Until 1993 they experienced economic problems, but recieved a boost in gas and oil sales
• In 1996 the economy bombed because of inflation
• In 1996 the government put together a program to help stabilize an exchange rate

• In 1998 there was a lack of reliable export routes for natural gas and the country experienced some short-term debt
• GDP: 27.6 billion
• GDP per capita: 5,700
• Population below poverty: 58%
• Electricity production: 11.41 billion kHw
• Electricity sources: fossil fuel, hydro, other, nuclear
• Oil production: 162,500 bbl/day
• Exchange Rate: Turkmen manats per US dollar 10,100
• Top import partners: US, Russia, UAE, Ukraine, Turkey, Germany, France, Georgia, Iran

• The first remains found there are from over 8,000 years ago.
• Crop irrigation was done by using the streams for farming.
• Hunting, herding livestock, and farming were the ways used for survival.
• The Persian Emprie established providences where Turkmenistan now is located.
• In the fifth century the Huns took control over southern Trukmenistan.
• Different groups of people were moving into the mountains and they evuentally became known as Turkmen.

• Turkmenistan was mostly occupied by nomadic people. Perminant settlements were starting to form near river valleys.
• During the 7th and 8th centuries the Oguz (ancestors of the Turkmen) migrated from Eastern to Central Asia.
• In 1227, the Commander of Turkmenistan, Genghis Khan, died so the Mongols lost control over Turkmenistan.
• There was much poverty and isolation going on for centuries, until the 18th century.
• During the 18th century the ways of life for the Turkmen were being rebuilt.

Health

• Health Care is available to all citizens, without charge.
• The downside of the program is they have undertrained physicians, modern technology is of non-existance, and are in short supply of the basic medicins.
• Currently the system is bankrupt finacially and treatment is limited.
• Recently, private medical care has been offered and is kept a close watch on. 

• Healers using herbs and prayers is very common medical treatment in rural areas where it is the only medical treatment available.
• Life expentancy for men is 62.9 years and for women 69.7 years.
• In 1992, cardiovascular disease was the most common cause for death. Following it was cancer, respiratory disease, and accidents.
• Factors like poor diet, insufficent drinking water, industrial wastes, and pesticides are also the cause for many deaths.

• Petra was a forgotten city for over 500 years. It used to be the center for trade as it became both wealthy and powerful. Still only 5% of the city has been uncovered, the rest is still unknown.
• Jerusalem, located in the Holy land, is known for its different races and worlds. There you can find the wailing wall, one of the most sacred sites. Also you can see the Al-Aqusa Mosque.  

• The Middle East has a diverse landscape with rivers, mountain ranges, and fertile soil.