Turquemenistan: The country that prohibits beards and black cars has harsher rules than North Korea

One of the worst dictatorships in the world escapes the least attentive eye. But Turquemenistan learned a lot from the former Soviet Union, and improved the dictatorship to its style: horse, melons, and a bearded dictator.

Not on the list of countries to visit many people, not standing internationally, we have heard of it. But Turquemenistan is a silent dictatorship.

We know little about this country in Central Asia, but, according to this country, which has been part of the Soviet Union, has rules for its 7.4 million more restricted inhabitants than North Korea.

A Human Rights Watch chama-lhe “one of the most isolated and oppressive ruled countries in the world“Where” all aspects of public life are controlled by President BerdyMukhamedov. “

Turkmenistan elections are just a formality – it is common for the president to win elections with 97% of the votes in the last election. BerdyMukhamedov, the leader, promotes a personality worship Similar to what we know with Kim Jong-un, with huge statues and monuments in his honor (often gold-plated) scattered throughout the capital, Ashgabat.

The president of the country was, until his death in 2006, Saparmurat Niyazov, who wrote a book entitled Ruhnamawhich had to be present in all institutional buildings, from schools to libraries or mosques – the country is 93% Muslim – and should be recited by citizens daily.

Niyazov, who among other eccentricities changed the name of January for Niyazov, It really came to launch the book to space In August 2005. It is said to orbit the planet for the next 150 years.

Among some curiosities that could distinguish Turqueniston, it was not for the limit of foreign entry a few thousand a year, it is the fact that its capital is recognized by Guinness as the city with the most white marble buildings in the world, or its famous “Hell Door”, one.

In the country, there are also some habits that we would find common in any other country in the world: Using beards is not allowed up to 70, such as long hair, and have a Black (or dirty) car It is also forbidden to enter the capital, where there are even several car wash stations around.

And its holidays Nationals are also curious: there is one dedicated to horses, and another to melons-yes, on the National Melon Day, these typical fruits of the country are eaten, according to the.

But it is not deceived who thinks the food is abundant. “There is not enough food In state stores, so every morning people make queues for hours to buy essential goods such as flour, loaf or sugar, ”says the author of a website about the country.

And if you choose this country as a dream destination, you will come across many restrictions, even if you can enter. “I was able to walk with more freedom than in North Korea, but it was very evident that was being watched“Says a tourist.