Qaraqum Canal

　　    The Qaraqum Canal is an irrigation and water supply project that draws water from the Amu Darya River in Central Asia to the Karakum Desert. Stretching 1,375 kilometers across southern Turkmenistan, it delivers 13 cubic kilometers of water annually. Construction began in 1954 and was completed in 1988. After its completion, the canal supplied water for cotton farming and the country’s capital, Ashgabat. However, around 50% of the water was lost along the way, leading to the formation of a series of lakes and a rise in groundwater levels.

　　    The primary function of the Qaraqum Canal is agricultural irrigation. It benefits 15 million hectares of cultivated land, has newly reclaimed 7.5 million hectares, and improved 225 million hectares of pastureland. It enabled millions of nomadic herders to transition to a settled lifestyle and elevated livestock farming to new heights. The canal also provides drinking and industrial water to Turkmen residents, facilitated the large-scale development of oil and gas fields such as Korpeje and Nebitdag, and led to the rise of industrial cities in the desert. Its benefits for shipping are equally notable, creating a fast waterway connecting eastern and western Turkmenistan and linking the Caspian Sea and the Aral Sea via the canal.

　　    Traveling along the Qaraqum Canal by speedboat, you’ll see green trees lining both banks, where once-barren deserts have been transformed into cotton fields and melon orchards, with herds of cattle and sheep grazing on the grasslands. The capital city of Ashgabat, which previously relied on wells for water and faced difficult living conditions, saw tree-lined streets and squares after receiving canal water in 1962. Many gardens, lawns, and fountains appeared, and even reservoirs and swimming pools emerged in the suburbs. Similar transformations occurred in cities along the canal such as Kerki, Baýramaly, and Daşoguz, creating favorable microclimates for living. The ideal of “garden cities” became a reality.

　　    Qaraqum Canal Must-visit reason: Currently the longest canal in the world Continent: Asia Country/Region: Turkmenistan Province/State: Ahal Province