Daşoguz

Daşoguz (Russian: Дашогу́з, also Dashoguz, Dasoguz; roughly "stone spring" in Turkmen), formerly known as Tashauz (until 1992; Russian: Ташау́з) and Dashkhovuz (1992-1999; Russian: Дашхову́з), is a city in northern Turkmenistan and the capital of Daşoguz Province.

Geography

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, you can find 65 different varieties of fish.

Climate

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).

Demographics

Daşoguz's population of 166,500 (1999 census estimate) is predominantly Turkmen and Uzbek, with smaller numbers of Russians, Koreans, Karakalpaks, and Tatars present. A large number of those forcefully displaced by ex-President for Life Saparmurat Niyazov have been resettled in lands adjoining the town.