Lebap Province, located in the northeastern part of Turkmenistan, is a region rich in natural beauty and cultural heritage. Bordering Afghanistan and Uzbekistan along the Amu Darya River, this province is home to a population of approximately 1,334,500 people, spread across an area of 93,727 square kilometers. The provincial capital is Turkmenabat, formerly known as Chardzhou.
The name “Lebap” is a Turkmen adaptation of the Persian term Lab-e āb (لب آب), which translates to “riverbank,” a fitting name for a region historically associated with the middle course of the Amu Darya River.
Lebap is not only significant for its strategic location but also for its remarkable natural reserves. The province houses the Repetek Nature Reserve and the Koytendag Nature Reserve, the latter being home to Mount Ayrybaba, the highest peak in Turkmenistan, standing at 3,137 meters. Additionally, Lebap is home to the ancient caravanserai of Dayahatyn, a historical site that echoes the region’s rich past.
The province is geographically defined by the Amu Darya River, with the Kyzylkum Desert lying to the east and the Karakum Desert to the west. The Karakum Desert alone covers about three-quarters of Lebap’s territory. The region’s sunny climate and abundant water resources have made it ideal for producing high-quality, long-fiber cotton, a key agricultural product.
One of the most notable natural treasures in Lebap is the Kugitang Nature Reserve, situated on the western slopes of the Kugitang Mountains, which form the border with Uzbekistan. The reserve spans an area of 27,140 hectares and is named after the Kugitang (Koentag in Turkmen) Mountains, which translates to “nearly impassable mountains.” This area was designated a reserve to protect the unique mountain ecosystem and the rare Capra falconeri, a species of wild mountain goat listed in the Red Data Book and protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).
