Ashgabat - The Capital of Turmkenistan

Ashgabat Attractions National Museum Turkmen Carpet Museum Nisa Around Ashgabat

Ashgabat which means in Arabic “lovely settlement” is situated where the Kopet Dagh mountains meet the Kara Kum desert. Elevated at 230 meters above sea level the city descends from the nearby mountains in amphitheater fashion, facing the desert.

Founded in 1881 Ashgabat quickly became one of the most important towns of the regions. The city's growth came to an abrupt end in October of 1948, when the city was raised from the ground by one of the strongest earthquakes of the world. However, the city was reborn from ashes and ruins quickly. Nowadays, Ashgabat is a large, modern city with wide boulevards and streets, many parks and hundreds of fountains. Since Turkmenistan gained independence Ashgabat has been dramatically changed in appearance. For the past decade the city has been embellished by a new generation of fashionable, impressive hotels, showy offices and high- rise apartments. Supporting the population of 900,000 people Ashgabat can offer its inhabitants and guests a lot of modern amenities: museums, theatres, public attractions, stadiums, swimming pools, restaurants and cafes serving both traditional and international cuisine. Two more huge sports structures: the Ice Palace and Water Sports Complex are expected to be put into operation by late 2006.

The Turkmen capital enjoys some 300 days of sun each year and, for this reason, it is also known as “ Sun City ”. However, the city is well protected from the blazing sun by lush vegetation and its numerous fountains create a pleasant microclimate. Due to wide use of drip irrigation the once barren hills skirting Ashgabat from the south have been covered with groves of evergreen fir-trees. Following a grid pattern of streets Ashgabat is extending eastwards, westwards and southwards, its northern outskirts being separated from the hot Kara Kum desert by a broad forested belt. Ashgabat is also nicknamed a “ White City ” because all the municipal buildings and new apartments have been clad in white marble of late. Anyone arriving in Asghabat is impressed to find this “desert-on-the-edge” city so nice and blooming.

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