Why Türkmenbaşy
Türkmenbaşy is a major port city situated along the Türkmenbaşy Gulf on the Caspian Sea in western Turkmenistan's Balkan Province. Resting at an elevation of 27 metres, it serves as a critical transport hub, functioning as the western terminus of the Trans-Caspian Railway and housing the nation's principal seaport. The city's population of roughly 86,800, recorded in 2004, is predominantly composed of ethnic Turkmens alongside Russian, Armenian, and Azerbaijani minorities.
The settlement's recorded history includes a secret Russian military landing in 1717 led by Prince Alexander Bekovich-Cherkassky near an empty riverbed of the Amu-Darya. Russian forces returned in 1869, establishing a fort called Krasnovodsk, a translation of its earlier name, Kyzyl-Su. Krasnovodsk fell to the Red Army in 1920, and during World War II, it served as an evacuation point for the Polish Anders' Army traveling to Iran in 1942. The city was officially renamed Türkmenbaşy in 1993.
Visitors to Türkmenbaşy can explore a variety of historic and cultural attractions. Sights include the Gate to the former Krasnovodsk fort, the Museum of Regional History, the Natural History Museum, and the nearby Khazar Nature Reserve. Religious landmarks feature the 1895 Russian Orthodox Church of St. Michael the Archangel and a historic 1903 Armenian Apostolic Church. For entertainment, the coastal Salkyn kenar amusement park offers over 30 attractions and dining venues, while the nearby Awaza tourist zone features modern hotels along 16 kilometres of shoreline.
In recent years, the city has undergone significant infrastructure updates, including renovations to Magtymguly Avenue, the Bahry Hazar waterfront, the Oilworkers Palace of Culture, and the creation of Turkish Park. Türkmenbaşy is also Turkmenistan's primary center for oil refining, producing liquid petroleum gas, fuel, and lubricants. Additionally, the Balkan Shipbuilding and Repair Yard operates within the modern international seaport complex.
The city experiences a cold desert climate with hot summers, chilly winters, and an average annual rainfall of 125 millimetres. Türkmenbaşy is accessible via its international airport, which offers domestic and international flights, as well as daily train connections from Ashgabat. Domestic and international passenger ferries operate from its port, connecting across the Caspian Sea to destinations such as Baku in Azerbaijan. Local travel is served by municipal buses, minibuses, taxis, and connecting regional highways.
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