Aktau

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Aktau Ақтау Актау
Seal
Aktau Location in Kazakhstan
Coordinates: 43°39′0″N 51°9′0″E / 43.65°N 51.15°E / 43.65; 51.15Coordinates: 43°39′0″N 51°9′0″E / 43.65°N 51.15°E / 43.65; 51.15
Country	Kazakhstan
Province	Mangystau Province
Government
• Akim (mayor)	Salimgerey Bekbergenov
Population (2005)
• City	187,700
• Urban	162,400
Time zone	UTC+5 (UTC+5)
Postal code	130000
Area code(s)	+7 7292
Website	www.aktau-info.kz (Russian)

Aktau (Kazakh: Ақтау, Russian: Актау), formerly known as Shevchenko (Russian: Шевченко, 1964–1991), is one of the biggest cities of western Kazakhstan, with a population of 162,400 (2005), and the country's only seaport on the Caspian Sea. It is located on the Mangyshlak Peninsula and is the capital of Mangystau Province. Aktau literally means "white mountain" in Kazakh, so named after the cliffs overlooking the sea.

Aktau is known for its unique block address system. The streets of the city have no names, and all addresses in Aktau consist of three numbers: the microdistrict (block) number, the building number and the apartment number. This is because Aktau was originally planned as a camp for the workers of the oil industry.^{[citation needed]}

History

The territory of Aktau was once inhabited by ancient tribes of Scythians. Current archeological finds are the demonstrations of old settlements and utensils. Aktau was founded in 1961 as a covert settlement, Guriyev-20, when development of uranium deposits was started.^[1] In 1963 the settlement was open and gained status of a city. From 1963 to 1991, the city was named Shevchenko to honour the Ukrainian poet Taras Shevchenko, who was once exiled to this then remote location because of his political views. The name Aktau was brought back in 1991 as the Soviet Union collapsed and Kazachstan gained independence.

Construction

Aktau was once the site of a nuclear power station. The BN-350 FBR went online in 1973, and closed in 1999. In addition to producing plutonium, BN-350 was also used to provide power and for desalination to supply fresh water to the city. The long-term plans of the Government of Kazakhstan include the construction of a new nuclear power station to be built near the current one. The current station is not considered powerful enough to supply the fresh water and energy needed when the new district Aktau-City is constructed, doubling the current area and size of the city.

Transport

Aktau has an international airport, a railway station, and a developed seaport.^[2] Buses and taxis are the principal means of public transport within the city.

Climate and leisure

Aktau experiences a desert climate (Köppen BWk), with dry summers and mild winters, with a mean January temperature of -0,5°C, and a mean July temperature of 25,5°C.

The beach season lasts from May to September, with an average sea temperature of 21°C. Aktau has both rocky hills and sandy beaches along the seashore. There are several modern resorts on the coast to the south of the city. The beaches of the Caspian shore are popular in the summer, due to the hot climate of the season. Tourists come mainly from other parts of Kazakhstan.

Sights

Aktau is a relatively young city. The architecture is a mix of modern glass business centres and residences and typical Soviet blocks of apartments. There is a lighthouse in Aktau installed atop of apartment building.^[4]

The main attraction in the city remains the Caspian Sea with its long side walks and beaches. Other sights include:

• World War II Eternal Flame Memorial
• MiG Monument at the Victory Mall
• Regional Studies and History Museum
• The Drama Theatre
• Yntymak Square
• Shevchenko Monument

Shevchenko monument in Aktau

View of the seaside

Aktau city project

Entrance to the city

On September 11, 2007 President Nursultan Nazarbayev gave a start to the project Aktau city in order to develop tourism and attract investments.^[5] A totally new city will be built to the north-west of the current city with 4 millions sq. meters of residential and business buildings to be constructed. The architecture style will be derived from UAE's construction experience under the patronage of Sheikh Abdullah ibn Zaid Al Nahayan.

Sister cities

• Sumqayit, Azerbaijan^{[citation needed]}
• Constanţa, Romania ^[6]
• Poti, Georgia ^[7]
• Gorgan, Iran ^[8]

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Aktau

• Aktau City site (KAZ)
• Site about Aktau city

v t e Mangystau Province Capital: Aktau Districts Beyneu Karakiya Mangystau Munaily Tupkaragan Major cities Aktau Fort-Shevchenko Zhanaozen

v t e Cities of Kazakhstan Capital Astana Other cities Aktau Aktobe Almaty Arkalyk Atyrau Baikonur Balqash Ekibastuz Jezkazgan Kapchagay Karagandy Kentau Kokshetau Kostanay Kyzylorda Oral Oskemen Pavlodar Petropavl Ridder Saran Satpayev Semey Shymkent Stepnogorsk Taldykorgan Taraz Temirtau Turkestan Zhanaozen