Dashoguz

Dashoguz

Dashoguz is a city in the north of Turkmenistan and the capital of Dashoguz province. It is one of the largest cities in the country, located on the shores of the Shavat Canal. It was founded by the Russians in the early 19th century as a fortress called Tashauz, and after independence in 1992 it was renamed Dashkhovuz in Turkmen form, and in 1999 by order of President Niyazov to Dashoguz. Today's Dashoguz is a typical Turkmen city, developed and modern, with many industrial enterprises and recently constructed buildings. The oldest airport in the country and the newest and most convenient railway station are located in the city. An H5 meteorite weighing about 7 kilograms fell in Dashoguz on 5 September 1998. Nearby is Lake Sarykamysh, which is home to 65 species of fish. It is the largest lake in Turkmenistan, in which three quarters of the entire lake's surface area is located, and one quarter of the area belongs to Uzbekistan. In addition to fish, Sarykamysh Lake is also home to bird species such as White Swans, Pink and Curly Pelicans and cormorants. The territory of Dashoguz area hosts the capital of ancient Khoresm, which is one of the strongest medieval empires in Central Asia, the city of Keneurgench. The ancient city of Kunya-Urgench is located almost 100 kilometers from the city of Dashoguz. This ancient settlement is now a State Historical and Cultural Reserve, covering an area of around 640 hectares.