Köýtendag

Köýtendag is a city located in Lebap Province, Turkmenistan. It serves as the administrative center of the Köýtendag District. The city and district were originally known as Çarşangy but were renamed Köýtendag on December 29, 1999, through a parliamentary resolution. Later, on July 27, 2016, Köýtendag was upgraded to the status of a "city in a district" by another parliamentary resolution.

Situated at an elevation of 265 meters, Köýtendag is situated on the banks of the Amu-Darya River, which forms the border with Jowzjan Province in Afghanistan. Across the river lies the Afghan town of Qarqin. Köýtendag is located in the eastern part of Lebap Province and is known for its flat plains surrounding the river. The land near the river is fertile and suitable for agriculture, while the areas farther from the river are arid. To the northeast, the impressive Köýtendag Range rises, which includes Aýrybaba, the highest mountain in Turkmenistan, reaching a height of 3,138 meters (10,295 ft).

The name "Köýtendag" is derived from the combination of "Köýten" and the Turkmen word "dag," which means "mountain." "Köýten" itself is a Turkified version of the Persian compound "Kuhi tang," where "kuhi" translates to "mountain" and "tang" means "narrow." Previously, this name referred to both the valley and the mountains. According to Atanyýazow, Çarşaňňy, the original name, is associated with a Turkmen tribe.

Köýtendag experiences a hot desert climate according to the Köppen climate classification system. Winters are cool, while summers are extremely hot. Rainfall is generally low and irregular, occurring primarily in the winter and autumn months.