The Associated Press has reported that a 260,005,000,000 TMM (US$50m, £26m, 39m euro) theme park has opened in Turkmenistan.

The 33-hectare (81-acre) visitor attraction comprises 54 attractions based on Turkmen folk art and fairy tales.

The park includes a map of Turkmenistan and its environs complete with miniature architectural monuments, a ferris wheel and a rollercoaster which zigzags over a mini replica of the Caspian Sea, as well as Turkmen rugs.

It also features characters of Turkmen folklore, such as Khudoiberdy who repels an attack of evil spirits and obese Bovendjik who swallows everyone on sight.

President Saparmurat Niyazov – who designed the theme park – has also built a large, man-made lake in the Kara Kum desert as well as a ski resort and §a 40m pyramid.