Daşoguz
Daşoguz (also Dashoguz, Dasoguz; roughly "stone spring" in Turkmen), formerly known as Tashauz (until 1992; ) and Dashkhovuz (1992–1999; ), is a city in northern Turkmenistan and the capital of Daşoguz Province. The Uzbekistan border is about 10 km away. 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 from Nukus, Uzbekistan, and from Ashgabat. In nearby Lake Sarykamysh, where 65 varieties of fish can be found. 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). History. 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, an H5 meteorite weighing approximately 7 kilograms fell in Daşoguz. Town. Along the middle of the town runs the Saparmurat Turkmenbashy Shayoly , formerly Andalyp Shayoly in honor of "Andalyp", a native poet c. 18th century. A pentad of statues —Oguz Han, Georogly, Gorkut Ata, and Magtymguly surrounding a seated Niyazov who is reading Ruhnama— occupy the town center. Two museums —Museum of Bagshies, commemorating native traditional singers and Glory Museum, commemorating local war heroes — are prominent. Transportation. Paul Brummell notes that the town serves as a transportation-hub rather than a tourist-destination. Daşoguz Airport provides regular flights to Ashgabat and Turkmenbashy. At the northern perimeters of the town, lies the eponymous railway station — there runs a daily train to Ashgabat. Private  vehicles are available for transport to all district capitals in the Northern Region, and Ashgabat. 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. Sport. The town has a 2 stadiums: Sport Toplumy Stadium and Garaşsyzlyk Stadium.