Merv (Turkm. Merw; Persian مرو) is the oldest known city of Central Asia, standing on the banks of the Murgab River in the southeastern part of Turkmenistan, 30 km east of the modern city of Mary, next to the modern city of Bayramali. The capital of the Persian satrapy of Margiana and the Turkic empire of the Seljuks. The ruins of Merv are a monument of the World Heritage of Humanity.
Ancient Merv was the largest city in Central Asia. The area of its shahristan reached 350 hectares.
