MarySite of the Ancient city of MervMaryLocation in TurkmenistanCoordinates: 37°36′N 61°50′E / 37.6°N 61.833°E / 37.6; 61.833Country TurkmenistanProvinceMary ProvincePopulation (1989 census) • Total92,290Mary is the capital city of Mary Province in Turkmenistan. Former names include Merv, Meru and Margiana. It is located at 37°36′N 61°50′E / 37.6°N 61.833°E / 37.6; 61.833Coordinates: 37°36′N 61°50′E / 37.6°N 61.833°E / 37.6; 61.833. The city is an oasis in the Karakum Desert, located on the Murghab river. In 2009, Mary had a population of 123,000[citation needed], up from 92,000 in the 1989 census. In Kerait tradition, Mary the mother of Jesus was buried here.