Kiz-Kala fortress, dating from the 6th century AD, Old Merv, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Turkmenia, Turkmenistan, Central Asia, Asia

The Kara Kum canal brings water from the River Amu Darya (Oxus), to irrigate cotton fields, Turkmenia, Central Asia, Asia

Igit-Kala fortress dating from the 6th century AD, Old Merv, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Turkmenia, Turkmenistan, Central Asia, Asia

The 6th century AD Kiz Kala and Igit Kala Fortresses in Old Merv, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Turkmenia, Central Asia, Asia

World's largest carpet, Exhibition of Economic Achievements, Ashkabad, Turkmenia, Central Asia, Asia

Bride and groom, Turkmen wedding party, Bakharden Cave, Turkmenia, Central Asia, Asia

The mausoleum of Sultan Sandjar, 1140-50, in Old Merv, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Turkmenia, Central Asia, Asia

Man standing on the river bank in front of a bridge over the River Oxus (Amu Darya), between Uzbekistan and Turkmenia, Central Asia, Asia