Turkmenistan | World Heritage Explorer

Turkmenistan has been a State Party to the World Heritage Convention since 1994. With 5 inscribed properties, the country maintains a well-established presence on the World Heritage List. The majority of its sites are cultural properties, reflecting a strong emphasis on historical and architectural heritage. Some of these properties are shared with neighboring countries, demonstrating cooperation across borders in heritage conservation.

Turkmenistan as a State Party to the World Heritage Convention

State Party since: September 30, 1994

Status: Succession

Mandates to the World Heritage Committee: None

Total of Mandate Years: 0

Total of Mandates: 0

WHC Electoral Group: IV (Asia/Pacific)

World Heritage Sites in Turkmenistan (5)

Cultural: 4 | Natural: 1 | Mixed: 0

Cold Winter Deserts of Turan · Natural (Transboundary)
Kunya-Urgench · Cultural
Parthian Fortresses of Nisa · Cultural
Silk Roads: Zarafshan-Karakum Corridor · Cultural (Transboundary)
State Historical and Cultural Park “Ancient Merv” · Cultural

Map of World Heritage Sites

This interactive map shows the location of all UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Turkmenistan.

Tentative World Heritage Sites (9)

Karst, Canyons, and Caves of Kugitang · submitted: August 28, 2025
Silk Roads Sites in Turkmenistan · submitted: March 1, 2010
Badhyz State Nature Reserve · submitted: March 16, 2009
Syunt Hasardag State Nature Reserve · submitted: March 16, 2009
Dinosaurs and Caves of Koytendag · submitted: March 16, 2009
Repetek Biosphere State Reserve · submitted: March 16, 2009
Amudarya State Nature Reserve · submitted: March 16, 2009
Hazar State Nature Reserve · submitted: March 16, 2009
Dehistan / Mishrian · submitted: February 25, 1998

Source: UNESCO Tentative Lists

Country Profile Turkmenistan

Official Name: Turkmenistan

Continent: Asia

Subregion: Central Asia

UNESCO Region: Asia and the Pacific

Capital: Ashgabat

Population (2024): 7,494,498

Land Area: 469,930 km²

Currency: Turkmenistan manat (TMT)

Country Data Sources

Links

UNESCO World Heritage Convention: State Party Turkmenistan

About States Parties

States Parties are countries that have joined the World Heritage Convention. They commit to identifying, nominating, and protecting properties of outstanding cultural or natural value on their territory. States Parties are also expected to monitor and report on the condition of inscribed sites.

World Heritage Insights

How Politics and Institutions Shape the UNESCO World Heritage List

The UNESCO World Heritage List is usually seen as a catalogue of the world’s most important cultural and natural places. Yet behind every inscription there is a structured decision process: countries must first join the Convention, run for a seat on the World Heritage Committee, prepare nominations through a fixed procedure, and finally obtain enough votes for inscription.

World Heritage Info

Background

Learn about UNESCO, the World Heritage Convention, Tentative Lists, and how World Heritage Sites are selected and preserved. Explore the history, structures, and processes that protect humanity’s cultural and natural treasures.

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