Awaza

Awaza (or Avaza) refers to both a tourist zone in and a borough (district headed by a presidentially appointed mayor) of the city of Türkmenbaşy, Turkmenistan. It is located on the eastern shore of the Caspian Sea, 12 km west of downtown Türkmenbaşy. Awaza has grown from a small village to one of the largest resort destinations along the Caspian Sea coast.

The Awaza District (borough) of Türkmenbaşy city was formed in July 2013. Awaza District, an area of 9660 hectares, includes the Awaza national tourist zone, Turkmenbashi International Airport and a small residential area.

The tourist zone was commissioned by President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, who sought to imitate Dubai's development boom. Turkmenistan's foreign ministry has touted Awaza as a "Turkmen Las Vegas" but foreign reports on the project have found that the accommodations are underutilized and hold little attraction apart from their sheer excess.

Awaza is also used as a conference site, particularly for the annual Turkmenistan Gas Conference.

Tourism
Awaza's major industry in summer is domestic tourism thanks to its hot and dry climate and long beaches.

Transportation
Public transport is represented mainly by bus and taxi. From Awaza there are buses to the Turkmenbashi city, the Turkmenbashi airport and city Ashgabat.

Awaza is served by the Turkmenbashi International Airport. Turkmenbashi Airport serves as a gateway to the tourists who visit this part of Turkmenistan every year. Turkmenistan Airlines offer daily flights to Turkmenistans capital Ashgabat. A new international airport terminal opened in 2010.