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Mary Travel Guide
A veritable oasis in the middle of the great Kara-Kum Desert, the industrial city of Mary (pronounced as mah-rih, not meh-rih) stands as one of the largest in Turkmenistan. A short drive from the renowned Ancient Merv, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it serves as the perfect travel base for tourists exploring and visiting that historical wonder. As the country's economic center, it boasts of a flourishing cotton industry and of vast natural gas reserves, which are then exported. Though a bustling metropolis, it is refreshingly laid-back. Often maligned because of its sparse attractions, the city's ambiance and some of the best Turkmen restaurants may be enough to make it worth the visit.
Established by the Tekke Turkmen in 1820 as a strategic stronghold, it was occupied in a controversial move by the Russian military in 1884 for use as an administrative center. The invasion, however, turned out to be a blessing in disguise as the city's economy rapidly entered a golden period of development and growth. Along with the implementation of extensive irrigation from the Murghab River, there came a boom in its cotton, corn and fruit production. It is also famous for its intricately-woven textiles known as Turkmen rugs, which command top dollars all over the world. Its food also warrants attention - the local bistros serve some of the best shashlyk (shish kebab) anywhere in the country.
Probably the city's most visited attraction is its Regional Museum featuring a vast array of cultural and historical heirlooms collected from the remnants of ancient settlements that had sprung in the surrounding oasis, and of course from the famed Merv ruins. Its stunning display of the best in Turkmen rugs, elaborate jewelry and various national costumes makes the most doubtful of travelers pause in his tracks. There is also the Meana Baba Mausoleum, a beautiful 11th century edifice incorporating a traditional polychrome-style of architecture, and is in dire need of some restoration. But the most common thing to do in Mary is to pack several supplies, go to Merv for a few hours, then return to eat out and sleep the night away in a cozy hotel room overlooking the river delta.
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