Chärjew

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Chärjew (chärjōō´) or Chardzhou (chərjō´), city (1991 pop. 166,400), capital of Lebap region, NW Turkmenistan, on the Amu Darya River. It is a cotton- and silk-manufacturing center. The gas industry is important. Its superphosphate plant produces fertilizer. Chärjew was founded in the late 19th cent. as a fortress.