Mary Region

Mary Region is one of the regions of Turkmenistan. It is located in the south-east of the country, and border Afghanistan. Its capital is the city of Mary. Its area is 87,150 sq km (33,650 sq mi) and has a population of 1,480,400 (2005). The average population density is 15 people per square kilometer, but reaches up to 150-200 per square kilometer in the most developed areas of the region.

In 2000, Mary Region has 23% of the population of Turkmenistan, 19% of employed, 26% of agricultural production, and 21% of industrial production. The region included the industries of natural gas extraction, electric power generation, textiles, carpet weaving, chemical and food industry. In 2001, it accounted for 74% of electricity generation and 26% of natural gas extraction.

Agriculture in the province is largely centered by the Karakum Canal, which runs from east to west through the center of the province, and by the Murghab River, which runs south to north, entering from Afghanistan. While the northern portion is in the Central Asian southern desert, the south is characterized by a savanna of desert sedges, classified as the Badkhiz-Karabil semi-desert by the World Wildlife Fund.

Ancient Merv, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the main attraction of the province. Merv is one of the best perserved oasis cities of the ancient Silk Road.

The capital of Mary region is the city of Mary, located where the Murghab River and Karakum Canal intersect. Other major cities are Baýramaly, Ýolöten, and Serhetabat on the border with Afghanistan.

Districts
Mary Province is currently divided into 11 districts:


 * Baýramaly District
 * Garagum District
 * Mary District
 * Murgap District
 * Oguzhan District
 * Sakarçäge District
 * Serhetabat District
 * Tagtabazar District
 * Türkmengala District
 * Wekilbazar District
 * Ýolöten District

The province currently includes 8 cities, 14 towns, 143 rural or village councils, and 329 villages.


 * Baýramaly
 * Mary
 * Murgap
 * Sakarçäge
 * Şatlyk
 * Serhetabat
 * Türkmengala
 * Ýolöten