# Aktau

> city in western Kazakhstan

**Wikidata**: [Q198989](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q198989)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aktau)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/aktau

## Summary
Aktau is a city in western Kazakhstan and the capital of the Mangystau Region. Located on the shores of the Caspian Sea, it sits at an elevation of -8 meters and had a recorded population of 261,907 as of 2022. Founded in 1958, the city was historically known as Shevchenko between 1964 and 1991.

## Key Facts
- **Location**: Western Kazakhstan, situated on the Caspian Sea coast.
- **Coordinates**: Latitude 43.6525, Longitude 51.1575.
- **Elevation**: -8 meters (below sea level).
- **Area**: 140,000,000 square metres.
- **Timezone**: UTC+05:00.
- **Inception**: 1958.
- **Status**: City of regional significance; capital of Mangystau Region.
- **Population (2022)**: 261,907.
- **Postal Code**: 130000.
- **Local Dialing Code**: 7292.
- **Official Website**: https://aktau.gov.kz/
- **Head of Government**: Nurdäulet Qilybai.
- **Historical Names**: Aktauskiy (1961–1963), Shevchenko (1964–1991).

## FAQs
**What is the etymology and naming history of Aktau?**
The city's native name is Ақтау (Aqtau), meaning "White Mountain." It was officially named "Aktauskiy" from 1961 to 1963 and "Shevchenko" from July 1, 1964, until September 12, 1991, reverting to Aqtau on September 13, 1991.

**Where is Aktau located geographically?**
Aktau is located in the Mangystau Region of Western Kazakhstan. It is situated on the coast of the Caspian Sea and has a unique elevation of -8 meters, placing it below sea level.

**How has Aktau's population changed over time?**
The population has grown significantly from 59,015 in the 1970 census to 261,907 in 2022. Major census milestones include 110,575 (1979), 159,245 (1989), and 199,644 (2021).

**What international cities is Aktau twinned with?**
Aktau maintains sister-city relationships with numerous cities including Sumgait (Azerbaijan), Constanța (Romania), Poti (Georgia), Gorgan (Iran), Istanbul (Turkey), Astrakhan and Samara (Russia), and Ashgabat (Turkmenistan).

## Why It Matters
Aktau serves as a critical administrative and economic hub in western Kazakhstan as the capital of the Mangystau Region. Its strategic location on the Caspian Sea facilitates international maritime trade and diplomacy, evidenced by its hosting of the Caspian Summit. The city's infrastructure and population growth reflect its importance as a regional center for energy and logistics, transitioning from a Soviet-era settlement (posyolok) to a major city of regional significance. Its unique geography, sitting below sea level, also distinguishes it within the region.

## Notable For
- **Elevation**: Being one of the few cities situated below sea level (-8 meters).
- **Caspian Summit**: Hosted this significant diplomatic event.
- **Zhastar Stadium**: Owns this specific sports facility.
- **Rapid Growth**: Population nearly quadrupled between 1970 and 2022.
- **Coastal Location**: A major Kazakh city directly on the Caspian Sea.

## Body

### Geography and Administration
Aktau is located in western Kazakhstan within the Aqtaū Qalasy administrative division. It serves as the capital of the Mangystau Region, a status it has held since 1993; prior to that, it was located in the Mangystau Region administrative structure established under the Soviet Union. The city covers an area of 140,000,000 square metres and is geographically positioned at 43.6525°N, 51.1575°E.

A defining geographical feature of Aktau is its elevation, which is recorded at -8 metres, placing the city below sea level. It is located on the shore of the Caspian Sea, providing it with access to maritime resources and transport routes. The city operates in the UTC+05:00 timezone.

### Demographics
The population of Aktau has shown consistent growth over the decades, based on census data and statistical evaluations:
- **1970**: 59,015 (Census)
- **1979**: 110,575 (Census)
- **1989**: 159,245 (Census)
- **1991**: 169,000
- **1999**: 143,396 (Census)
- **2004**: 154,718
- **2009**: 166,962 (Census)
- **2017**: 183,350
- **2020**: 188,791
- **2021**: 199,644 (Evaluation)
- **2022**: 261,907

### History and Naming
The earliest written record of the settlement dates to 1961. The city was officially founded in 1958.
- **1961–1963**: Known as a posyolok named "Aktauskiy."
- **1963**: Granted city status and named "Ақтау" (Aktau).
- **1964–1991**: Renamed "Шевченко" (Shevchenko) on July 1, 1964, a name retained until September 12, 1991.
- **1991–Present**: The name reverted to "Ақтау" (Aktau) on September 13, 1991.

The city is also associated with various aliases and historical translations, including Белая гора (White Mountain) and the Chinese name 阿克陶.

### Governance and Infrastructure
The current head of government is Nurdäulet Qilybai. The city administers the Zhastar Stadium. Official online presence is maintained through the government website `aktau.gov.kz`. The city is categorized as a "big city" and a "city of regional significance."

### International Relations
Aktau is twinned with a wide array of cities across Europe and Asia, fostering cultural and economic ties. Twin cities include:
- **Azerbaijan**: Sumgait
- **Georgia**: Poti
- **Iran**: Gorgan
- **Romania**: Constanța
- **Turkey**: Samsun, Istanbul
- **Ukraine**: Cherkasy
- **Uzbekistan**: Urgench
- **Lithuania**: Klaipėda
- **Turkmenistan**: Ashgabat
- **Russia**: Astrakhan, Orenburg, Makhachkala, Samara, Elista, Ishimbay

### Cultural and Academic Identifiers
Aktau is referenced in multiple academic and geographic databases:
- **GND ID**: 4828545-6
- **VIAF ID**: 149116509
- **GeoNames ID**: 610612
- **Library of Congress Authority ID**: n2001119388
- **Great Russian Encyclopedia Portal ID**: aktau-031f57

The city has a distinct coat of arms and is the subject of various visual archives, including panoramic and winter views hosted on Wikimedia Commons.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. [Source](http://www.mangystau.stat.kz/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=80:2010-god&catid=29:statisticheskie-ezhegodniki&Itemid=25&lang=ru)
4. 1979 Soviet census
5. 1989 Soviet census
6. Population Census in Kazakhstan (1999)
7. [Source](https://www.citypopulation.de/en/kazakhstan/cities/)
8. [Source](https://www.stat.gov.kz/api/getFile/?docId=ESTAT470856)
9. [Source](http://pop-stat.mashke.org/kazakhstan-cities.htm)
10. GeoNames
11. BBC Things
12. [iNaturalist](https://www.inaturalist.org/places/inaturalist-places.csv.zip)
13. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File