TuSSR

Turkmen SSR was Soviet republic 1921-1991, capital Ashgabat. Desert Central Asian republic, one of 15 SSRs, formed 1924. Known for Karakum Desert, gas, oil, cotton, Akhal-Teke horses, carpets. Pop 3.5M in 1989, Turkmen Sunni Muslims, tribal culture. Soviet collectivization, anti-nomadic policies, poor infrastructure, Moscow subsidies. Voted preserve USSR 1991. After collapse became Turkmenistan, ruled by Niyazov cult. Flag red with carpet pattern, now independent neutral nation today. Now free