Which municipalities are categorized as "cities" is established by law in Turkmenistan. Cities fall into three categories: one city equivalent to a province (the capital city, Ashgabat), cities "equivalent to a district" (Turkmen: etrap hukukly), and cities "in a district" (Turkmen: etrapdaky). By law cities equivalent to a district must have a population of more than 30,000 and must be either a provincial capital or be one of the economic, cultural and administrative centers in its province. Cities "in a district" are subordinated to the district (etrap) government and are administered jointly. By law they must have a population of more than 8,000, and must possess industrial enterprises, construction and transport organizations, utilities, municipally owned housing stock, socio-cultural institutions, trade and social services.[1][2] The government maintains a list of municipalities broken out by category, but publishes this list irregularly, and does not post it online. An authoritative list of Turkmenistan's municipalities based on published official Turkmen decrees and laws is on the OpenStreetMap wiki.[3] The most recent published version of the list was released in 2012.[4]
Districts and cities with district status are headed by a presidentially appointed häkim (district governor or city mayor). Two cities in Turkmenistan, Ashgabat and Turkmenbashy, are further subdivided into boroughs with district status, each with its häkim. Cities "in a district" and towns are headed by an elected council (Turkmen: geňeş) chaired by an arçyn, who serves as both council chair and mayor.[1][2]
The former cities of Gumdag and Hazar were downgraded to town status in November 2022, and thus have been removed from this list.[28] The cities previously named Gurbansoltan Eje adyndaky, Nyýazow, and Serdar were renamed Andalyp, Shabat, and Gyzylarbat, respectively.[28] The new city of Arkadag was formally incorporated on 20 December 2022 by act of the Turkmen parliament.[10]
Ahal Region is one of five provinces of Turkmenistan. It is in the south-center of the country, bordering Iran and Afghanistan along the Kopet Dag Range. Its area is 97,160 km2 (37,510 sq mi) and population 939,700.
Turkmenistan is divided into five regions, or welaýatlar and one capital city (şäher) with provincial legal status. They are Ahal, Balkan, Dashoguz, Lebap and Mary, plus the capital city of Ashgabat. Each province is divided into districts. As of 20 December 2022 there were 37 districts, 49 cities, including 7 cities with district status, 68 towns, 469 rural councils and 1690 villages in Turkmenistan.
The People's Council of Turkmenistan is Turkmenistan's independent "representative body" exerting supreme constitutional authority. It includes in its membership, but is not considered part of, the legislature. Among other things, it is empowered to amend the constitution. Its chairperson is appointed by the president and is designated the "National Leader". State media referred to the People's Council as the "supreme organ of government authority". From 2018 to 2023 it was the upper chamber of Turkmenistan's Parliament, the "National Council".
Anau is a city in Turkmenistan. Until 20 December 2022 it was the capital of Ahal Province. It is situated 8 km southeast of Ashgabat, to which it is connected via the M37 highway.
The districts of Turkmenistan are territorial entities below the provinces of Turkmenistan. They may be counties, cities, or boroughs of cities. The heads of the districts are appointed by the President of Turkmenistan.
Gyzylarbat District is a district of Balkan Province in Turkmenistan. The administrative center of the district is the city of Gyzylarbat. It was the old Iranian district of Farava (Paraw). The name Gyzylarbat was restored by decree of the Turkmen parliament on 9 November 2022.
Gurbansoltan Eje District was until 2022 a district of Daşoguz Province in Turkmenistan. The district was named after Gurbansoltan Eje, former president Saparmurat Niyazov's mother. On 9 November 2022 by decree of the Turkmen parliament the district was abolished and its territory transferred to Akdepe District.
Şabat District, formerly Saparmyrat Nyýazow District and Tashauz District is a district of Daşoguz Province in Turkmenistan. The administrative center of the district is the city of Şabat.
Beýik Türkmenbaşy District was a district of Lebap Province in Turkmenistan. It was abolished in November 2017 and its territory transferred to Döwletli District. In turn, on 9 November 2022, Döwletli District was dissolved and its territories were divided between Hojambaz District and Köýtendag District. The capital of the district, Döwletli, was transferred to the former.
Köýtendag District is a district of Lebap Province in Turkmenistan. The administrative center of the district is the city of Köýtendag.
Çärjew District is a district of Lebap Province in Turkmenistan.
Andalyp, until 2004 called Ýylanly, and from 2004 to 2022 called Gurbansoltan Eje adyndaky, is a city and capital of Akdepe District in Daşoguz Province, Turkmenistan.
Şabat, previously called Nyýazow, Andreyevsk and Täzebazar, is a city subordinate to a district and the administrative center of Şabat District, Daşoguz Province, Turkmenistan. The city was renamed Şabat by decree of the Turkmen parliament on 9 November 2022.
Döwletli is a town in Hojambaz District in Lebap Province, Turkmenistan. Prior to 9 November 2022 it was the seat of Döwletli District, which was abolished by parliamentary decree on that date. Until 2010 it was named Jeýhun, the ancient name of the Amu Darya. Döwletli annexed the adjacent village of Bataş in July 2016.
Arkadag is a city in southern Turkmenistan. It became the regional capital of Ahal Province effective 20 December 2022. It is a largely greenfield development started in 2019 with an initial budget of $1.5 billion. The city was named in honor of former President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, whose official nickname is Arkadag. Uniquely among Turkmen cities, Arkadag is by law designated a "city of state importance".
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