Aktau is a city on the east bank of the Caspian Sea in Kazakhstan. Serving as the administrative center of Mangystau Region, Aktau was formerly known as Shevchenko, named after the Ukrainian poet Taras Shevchenko. Covering approximately 170 square kilometers, Aktau is unique among Kazakh cities for its address system, which utilizes landmarks, albeit numbered buildings and apartment blocks. Developed as a Soviet nuclear testing site, the city has transitioned into a major industrial and economic hub, capitalizing on its significant oil and mineral resources. The city's layout is dominated by monotowns typical of Soviet urban planning, with housing and amenities planned in close proximity to minimize travel time. The Aktau seaport is an important transport hub for the export of goods, while the city's beach attracts tourists seeking leisure and recreational activities. Despite the harsh desert climate, Aktau's location offers breathtaking views of the vast Caspian Sea, contrasting with the stark flat steppes that surround it.
