city, northern Turkmenistan, in the western Khorezm oasis. The Shavat Canal, which gets its water from the nearby Amu Darya (river), divides the city into northern and southern sections. Originally a fort and the bazaar of western Khwārezm, it became a town in 1924. The old, typically Asiatic part of the city lies north of the canal, while the new part, with its wide tree-lined streets, occupies the southern bank. The city developed particularly after the construction of the railway in the 1950s. It has a cotton gin, food-processing plants, and vehicle-repair works and is a centre of carpet making. The city lies on the Chardzhou-Makat railway. Cotton, alfalfa, grains (sorghum, barley, rice, millet), and melons are produced in the surrounding area. Silk production is also practiced. Pop. (1991 est.) 117,000.