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Turkmenabad is the center of the eastern part of Turkmenistan and the second-largest city in terms of population. It is located on the banks of the Amu Darya River . Long time ago the fortress of Bukhara emirate called Chardzhui (the four canals) used to stand there. It guarded the Amu Darya crossing from the attacks of nomadic tribes. In 1886 when trans-Caspian Railway reached the fortress it grew first into a military and then into civilian settlement. In 1901 the railway bridge across the river was built. In 1940 the city's name was rewritten in a new transcription - Chardzhou . In 1999 Chardzhou was renamed Turkmenabad (" created by Turkmen'). Today Turkmenabad is a developed industrial and cultural center.
The main place of interest in the city is Kugitang reserve (to the southeast of the city). It is a mountain range with a protogenic nature, untouched by civilization, abounding with rare species of animals and plants. There you can see a lunar landscape of Boya-Dag, the plateau of Dinosaurs with prints of prehistoric pangolins, unique karstic caves. If you visit the museum-city of Atamurat you'll be able to see ancient caravanserais, mausoleums of Alamberdar and Astana-baba which even now remain the place of pilgrimage for many believers.
The most remarkable landmarks around Turkmenabad are:
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