Kerki is a city in and capital of Kerki District, Lebap Province, Turkmenistan. It was formerly known as Zamm^[1] and, between 1999 and 2017, as Atamyrat.

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Quick Facts Atamyrat (1999-2017)Zamm (in antiquity), Country ...

Kerki Atamyrat (1999-2017) Zamm (in antiquity)
Kerki airport
Kerki Location in Turkmenistan
Coordinates: 37°51′11″N 65°14′13″E
Country	Turkmenistan
Province	Lebap Province
District	Kerki District
Population  (2011)
• Total	96,720
Time zone	UTC+5

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It is situated on a plain on the left bank of the Amu Darya river. Nearby towns and villages include Mukry (3.3 nm), Amydarýa (2.1 nm), Surhy (3.1 nm) and Kerkichi (2.2 nm).^[2]

According to Atanyyazow, the name Kerki is most likely of Persian origin, from ker ("fortress") and kuh ("mountain"), meaning "fortress on a mountain".^[4] However, Muqaddasī and de Goeje assert it is a Turkified pronunciation of the Persian name Karkuh (کرکوه), meaning "deaf mountain".^[5] The ancient name, Zamm, is of obscure origin.

On 29 December 1999, by Parliamentary Resolution HM-60, the city and district of Kerki were renamed Atamyrat in honor of Atamyrat Nyýazow, father of Saparmurat Niyazov, who had worked in Kerki as a teacher before being killed in World War II. On 25 November 2017, by Parliamentary Resolution No. 679-V, Atamyrat was changed back to Kerki for both the city and the district.^[6]

The urban core consists of numerous one-story brick structures dating back to the period of the Russian Empire..^[7]

Astana Baba Mausoleum is managed by the Kerki city museum, and consists of a minaret and tomb built in the 11th century. Allamberdar Mausoleum (ru) is also part of the Kerki city museum. This 11th-century building represents Seljuk architecture of northern Khorasan.

• List of cities, towns and villages in Turkmenistan
• List of cities in Turkmenistan