Lebap
Lebap velayat is located on the both side of the Amu Darya River; having the Karakum desert on the left and the Karabil hills in the north. In northwest of the right bank of the river there is the edge of Kyzylkum desert, in the center Sundukli sands, in the southeast the mountain range Kugitang. The area of the velayat equals 94 000 km2. The capital is Turkmenabad, other industrial towns are Atamurat, Magdanly and Seydi.
The climate of Lebap is sharply continental, droughty hot summer and moderately cold winter. The main industries are gas, food, textile and chemical branches – ammonium and carbamide works, a modernized gin in Turkmenabad.
Animal husbandry and agriculture are also well – developed braches of the region. Lebap velayat has good prospects regarding industrial and transport development. Tourist itineraries around the region include a trip to the reserved places of the Kugutang – magnificent mountains with luxurious primeval nature and abundance of the rare species of animal and plants. One can see here not only a sparking “Lunar landscape” and “Plateau of Dinosaurs” with paw prints of the pre-historic reptiles, but also contemplate wonderful pictures of the karst caves created by the nature’s fantasy. The other word wide known reserve is Repetek Biosphere Reserve that has many endemic species of representatives of flora and fauna. Besides, Lebap land also keeps many other secrets you can get in touch with just by visiting the city museum of Atamurat with its ancient caravanserais, mausoleums of Alamberdar and Astana-Baba, which continue to be the place of pilgrimage for many believers up to now.
