Balkanabat is the administrative center of Balkan Province, which is the largest province in Turkmenistan. Formerly known as Nebit-Dag and Neftedag, the city is situated at the foot of the Balkan Daglary mountain range.
The city is located approximately 450 km west of the capital, Ashgabat, and 160 km east of the seaport city of Türkmenbaşy. Its urban layout consists of a grid of apartment blocks known as kvartal (quarters), with Magtymguly, Pervomayskiy, and Gurbansoltan eje şaýoly serving as the main streets.