Daşoguz

About Daşoguz

Daşoguz, formerly known as Tashauz until 1992 and Dashkhovuz until 1999, is a city in northern Turkmenistan and the capital of Daşoguz Province. The border with Uzbekistan is about 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) away.

It is located at latitude 41.833° north, longitude 59.9667° east, at an average of 88 meters above sea level. It is about 76.7 km (47.7 mi) from Nukus, Uzbekistan, and 460 km (290 mi) from Ashgabat. In nearby Lake Sarykamysh 65 varieties of fish can be found.

Daşoguz has a cold desert climate (BWk, according to the Köppen climate classification), with long and hot summers. Winters are relatively short, but quite cold. The precipitation is scarce throughout the year, with an average of 100 mm (3.93 in).

Founded as a fort called Tashauz in the early 19th century by the Russians, the name was changed to the Turkmen form Dashkhovuz in 1992 after independence, and to Daşoguz by order of President Niyazov in 1999; the modern city has all characteristics of Soviet planning. The etymology remains disputed.

On September 5, 1998, a H5 meteorite weighing...

Overview adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA)。Photography via Wikimedia Commons.