Turkmenistan
If there was an award for the strangest country on earth, Turkmenistan would be near the top of the list. Mostly desert, Turkmenistan has a particularly extreme climate, with searingly hot summers and frigid winters. Ruled with an iron fist by former president Niyazov, who styled himself the 'Turkmenbashi', Turkmenistan today is emerging from decades of authoritarian rule with a new leadership. Visit the ancient city of Merv, explore the vibrant Tolkuchka bazaar, or see the extraordinary Darvaza Gas Crater, the blaze of which attracts large numbers of huge spiders who jump into the flames.
