Aktau

Aktau is a city in Kazakhstan, located on the Caspian Sea coast in the Mangystau Region. It is the administrative center of the region and the country's main port on the Caspian Sea. The city was founded in 1961 as a settlement for uranium miners and was originally named Guryev-2. In 1964, it was renamed Shevchenko in honor of the Ukrainian poet Taras Shevchenko, who was exiled to the region. In 1991, following Kazakhstan's independence, the city was renamed Aktau, which means "white cape" in Kazakh, referring to the chalk cliffs that surround the city.

Aktau's economy is heavily reliant on the oil and gas industry, with several major oil fields located in the surrounding region. The city also serves as a transportation hub, with a port that handles cargo and passenger traffic across the Caspian Sea. Tourism is developing, with visitors attracted to the Caspian Sea beaches, unique desert landscapes, and historical sites. The city's architecture is characterized by Soviet-era buildings, though modern developments are also present. Aktau experiences a continental climate with hot summers and cold winters. The population is diverse, with ethnic Kazakhs forming the majority, alongside significant Russian and other minority groups.