Atrek

The Atrek is a fast-moving river which rises in the mountains of Northeastern Iran (370° 10' N. lat, 59° E.), and flows 350 miles westward until it falls into the south-eastern corner of the Caspian Sea. The river flows along the border of the former Soviet republic of Turkmenistan, and helped keep the area closed throughout the Cold War years. A 1926 treaty between Iran and Turkmenistan stipulates that Turkmenistan receives approximately 50% of the total Artrek average runoff.