Mary Region


Mary Region is one of the regions of Turkmenistan. It is located in the south-east of the country, bordering Afghanistan. Its capital is the city of Mary. Its area is and population 1,480,400. The average population density is about 15 persons per square kilometer, but it reaches 150-200 per square kilometer in the most developed oases.
In 2000, Mary Region accounted for 23% of Turkmenistan's population, 19% of the total number of employed, 26% of agricultural production, and 21% of the country's total industrial production.
The region's industries include natural gas extraction, electric power generation, textiles, carpet weaving, chemical and food industry. In 2001 it accounted for 74% of Turkmenistan's electricity generation 26% of natural gas extraction.
Agriculture in Mary Region is irrigated by the Karakum Canal, which runs east to west through the center of the province, and by the Murghab River, which runs south to north, entering the province from Afghanistan. While the northern portion of the province is within the Central Asian southern desert ecoregion, the southern portion of the province is characterized by a savanna of pistachio and desert sedges, classified as the Badkhiz-Karabil semi-desert by the World Wildlife Fund.
Ancient Merv, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the main archeological attraction of Mary Province. This is one of the best preserved oasis cities on the ancient silk route.
The capital of Mary Region is the city of Mary, located at the intersection of Murghab River with the Karakum Canal. Other major cities are Baýramaly, Ýolöten, and Serhetabat on the border with Afghanistan.

Districts

As of January 1, 2017, Mary Province is subdivided into 11 districts :
  1. Baýramaly District
  2. Garagum District
  3. Mary District
  4. Murgap District
  5. Oguzhan District
  6. Sakarçäge District
  7. Serhetabat District
  8. Tagtabazar District
  9. Türkmengala District
  10. Wekilbazar District
  11. Ýolöten District
As of January 1, 2017, the province includes 8 cities, 14 towns, 143 rural or village councils, and 329 villages.