Ashgabat is the capital of Turkmenistan, a country located in Central Asia.http://www.juggle.com/asgabat#  It is the largest city in the country and has a population of 695,300.http://www.juggle.com/asgabat#  It lies between the Kara Kum Desert and the Kopet Dag Mountain Range.http://www.juggle.com/asgabat#  The population is made up ethnic Turkmen in addition to minority groups of Armenians, Russians, and Azeris.http://www.juggle.com/asgabat# 

The city was renamed Poltoratsk from 1919 to 1927.http://www.juggle.com/asgabat#  The name of the city was spelled Ashkhabad in English, which is closer to the Russian form of the name.http://www.juggle.com/asgabat#  Other previous spellings include Ashkhabat and Ashgabad.http://www.juggle.com/asgabat#  Ashgabat is home to Turkmen State University and is serviced by Ashgabat Airport.http://www.juggle.com/asgabat# 

Ashgabat was founded in 1818.http://www.nileguide.com/destination/ashgabat-turkmenistan/things-to-do/ashgabat-downtown/1170627  It grew out of a village of the same name that was founded by the Russians in Konjikala on the Silk Road.http://www.nileguide.com/destination/ashgabat-turkmenistan/things-to-do/ashgabat-downtown/1170627  In 1st century BC, the area was hit by an earthquake.http://www.nileguide.com/destination/ashgabat-turkmenistan/things-to-do/ashgabat-downtown/1170627  It was reconstructed and prospered until it was conquered by the Mongols in the 13th century.http://www.nileguide.com/destination/ashgabat-turkmenistan/things-to-do/ashgabat-downtown/1170627  Russian soldiers built a fortress in 1869 and it brought merchants and craftsmen to the city.http://www.nileguide.com/destination/ashgabat-turkmenistan/things-to-do/ashgabat-downtown/1170627   

In 1881, Ashgabat was under the jurisdiction of Tsarist Russia due to the Akhal Treaty.http://www.nileguide.com/destination/ashgabat-turkmenistan/things-to-do/ashgabat-downtown/1170627  Prior to that, the city was a part of Persia.http://www.nileguide.com/destination/ashgabat-turkmenistan/things-to-do/ashgabat-downtown/1170627  Russia developed the city into a regional center because of its close location to Persia.http://www.nileguide.com/destination/ashgabat-turkmenistan/things-to-do/ashgabat-downtown/1170627 

Ashgabat lies at latitude 37° 58'N and longitude 58° 24'E.http://timeanddate.com/worldclock/city.html?n=387  The annual average high temperature is 69 F, and the annual average low is 48 F.http://www.climatetemp.info/turkmenistan/ashgabat.html  The warmest month of the year is July (97 F), and the coldest month of the year is January (25 F).http://www.climatetemp.info/turkmenistan/ashgabat.html  The annual average rainfall is 8.3 inches, and the annual average relative humidity is 53.8%.http://www.climatetemp.info/turkmenistan/ashgabat.html  The driest month is August (0.0 inches), and the wettest month is March (1.7 inches).http://www.climatetemp.info/turkmenistan/ashgabat.html 

• Ashgabat Zoo:  Features animals for visitors to view.http://www.lonelyplanet.com/turkmenistan/ashgabat/sights 
• Azadi Mosque:  Similar to the Blue Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey and features Islamic artifacts.http://www.lonelyplanet.com/turkmenistan/ashgabat/sights 
• Carpet Museum:  Features the history of Turkmen carpet weaving.http://www.lonelyplanet.com/turkmenistan/ashgabat/sights 
• Independence Park:  Features fountains, Altyn Asyr Shopping Centre, and white-marble tower blocks.http://www.lonelyplanet.com/turkmenistan/ashgabat/sights 

• Saparmurat Niyazov:  Former Turkmenistan Presidenthttp://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6199021.stm 
• Rolan Gusev:  Soccer Playerhttp://www.worldfootballers.com/player.php/rolan-gusev-914.html 
• Maxim Kalashnikov: Writer and Activisthttp://visualrian.com/images/item/456992 
• Guvanchmuhamed Ovekov:  Soccer Playerhttp://www.zerozerofootball.com/player/guvanchmuhamed_ovekov/current/profile/0/default/65702/?edicao_id=1709