Mary, Turkmenistan

Capital City

Life in Mary, Turkmenistan is a far cry from the idyllic Silk Road dreams. With a population of just 208,697, this remote desert outpost is a major industrial hub - but one plagued by a heavy bureaucratic burden and sweltering, arid summers. The city was founded in 1884 as a Russian military post, and has since become a center for cotton production and natural gas extraction, two of Turkmenistan's top exports. However, the city's growth has been uneven, and the streets are a mix of new construction and crumbling infrastructure. For those undeterred by the relentless heat and persistent paperwork, Mary may offer opportunities in the energy and agriculture sectors - but it's certainly not a destination for the faint of heart.