Mary is a city of Turkmenistan, capital of the Mary Province. Population (as of 1999): 123,000.

Contents

1 Geography 2 History 3 Economy 4 Transportation

Geography

The city is an oasis in the Karakum Desert.

History

It is located near the historical city of Merv. The city was founded in 1884 as a Russian military and administrative center.

Economy

Mary is a major center in Turkmenistan for the natural gas and cotton industries, the nation's two major export industries. It is a trade center for hides, cotton, grain and wool.

Transportation

Mary is connected to Ashgabat by rail.