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{{Infobox settlement
|settlement_type = City
| official_name = Aktau
| native_name = Ақтау {{kk icon}}<br>Актау {{ru icon}}
| motto =
| image_skyline =
| imagesize = 270px
| image_caption = '''Clockwise from top:''' Panoramic view of Aktau and the sea; Aktau Mosque; Rocky seacoast of [[Caspian Sea]]; statue of Shevchenko monument; MiG jet monument; Ship that resembles trading monument; [[Great Patriotic War]] monument with eternal flame.
| image_flag =
| image_seal = Coat_of_arms_of_Aktau.svg
|image_map =
| map_caption =
|pushpin_map = Kazakhstan
|pushpin_label_position =bottom
|pushpin_mapsize = 280
|pushpin_map_caption =Location in Kazakhstan
|subdivision_type = [[Countries of the world|Country]]
|subdivision_type1=[[Regions of Kazakhstan|Region]]
|subdivision_type2 =
|subdivision_name = [[Kazakhstan]]
|subdivision_name1=[[Mangystau Region]]
|subdivision_name2 =
| established_title = Founded
| established_date = 1958
| established_title2 =
| established_date2 =
| established_title3 =
| established_date3 =
| government_type =
| leader_title = Akim <small>([[mayor]])</small>
| leader_name =[[Yedil Terekbayuly Zhanburshin]]
| area_magnitude =
| area_total_sq_mi =
| area_total_km2 = 140
| area_land_sq_mi =
| area_land_km2 =
| area_water_sq_mi =
| area_water_km2 =
| area_urban_sq_mi =
| area_urban_km2 =
| area_metro_km2 =
| area_metro_sq_mi =
| population_as_of= 2012
| population_footnotes =<ref name="kz2009Census"/>
| population_total = 178,187
| population_metro =
| population_density_sq_mi =
| population_density_km2 = auto
| timezone = [[UTC+5]]
| utc_offset = +5
| timezone_DST =
| utc_offset_DST =
|coordinates = {{coord|43|39|N|51|09|E|region:KZ|display=inline,title}}
| elevation_footnotes=
| elevation_m = -8
| elevation_ft =
| postal_code_type = [[Postal code]]
| postal_code = 130000
| area_code = +7 7292
| registration_plate = 12, R
| website = {{URL|http://aktau.gov.kz/}}
| footnotes =
}}
'''Aktau''' ({{lang-kk|Ақтау}}, ''Aqtaw'') is a city in [[Kazakhstan]], located on the east bank of the [[Caspian Sea]]. Its current name means "white mountain" in Kazakh, which may be due to its cliffs that overlook the Caspian. From 1964 to 1991 city was known as '''Shevchenko''' ({{lang-ru|Шевченко}}). Its former name was given due to the [[Taras Shevchenko|eponymous Ukrainian poet's]] period of exile in the area.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://aboutkazakhstan.com/aktau-city|publisher=About Kazakhstan|access-date=2015-12-29|title=Aktau city, Kazakhstan facts, history, attractions, photos}}</ref> It is located on the [[Mangyshlak Peninsula]] and is the capital of [[Mangystau Region]].

Aktau is known for its unique [[city block|block]] [[house numbering|address system]]. Almost all streets inside the city have no names, and addresses in Aktau generally consist of three numbers: the district number (also known as micro-region/micro-district/block), the building number, and the apartment number. This is because Aktau was originally planned as a camp for the workers of the oil industry.<ref name="Aktau: Years, people, memories">Ogni.kz. ''[http://ogni.kz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5063&Itemid=2 Aktau: Years, people, memories...]''. October 13, 2011</ref>

==History==
The territory of what is now Aktau was once inhabited by ancient tribes of [[Scythians]]. Archeological finds in the area include old settlements and utensils. The current territory of Mangystau hosted a spur route of the northern silk road, which resulted in the founding of several Sufi shrines in Aktau's vicinity. However, the area had very little population prior to Soviet times and no cities of any relevancy, almost certainly due to the scarcity of fresh water.

In 1958, [[uranium]] prospectors settled the site of modern Aktau, naming the settlement '''Melovoye''' ({{lang|ru|Меловое}}) after the bay on which it stood.<ref name="Pioneers">{{cite web|url=http://www.np.kz/old/2003/08/issled5.html|script-title=ru:Пионеры Запада|language=ru|publisher=Np.kz|date=February 28, 2003|accessdate=January 23, 2015}}</ref> After the development of the uranium deposits was started, the settlement was [[closed city|closed]] and renamed '''Guryev-20''' ({{lang|ru|Гурьев-20}}).<ref name="Pioneers" /> In 1963, its closed status was lifted, town status was granted,{{citation needed|date=January 2015}} and the name was changed to Aktau.<ref name="Pospelov">Pospelov, p. 25</ref> However, in 1964 it was given yet another name, '''Shevchenko''' ({{lang|ru|Шевченко}}), to honor the Ukrainian poet [[Taras Shevchenko]] who spent 1850–1857 in political exile in [[Fort-Shevchenko|Novopetrovskoye]], about {{convert|100|km|sp=us}} to the northwest.<ref name="Pospelov" /> This Ukrainian name for the city may have been granted due to the large number of Ukrainian workers who settled in the city. Their descendants are easily identifiable to this day by surnames ending in '-enko'. After the [[dissolution of the Soviet Union]] and Kazakhstan gaining independence, the name Aktau was restored in 1991, but the city's airport still retains SCO as its IATA code.<ref name="Pospelov" />

==Construction==
Aktau was once the site of a nuclear power station. The [[BN-350]] [[Fast breeder reactor|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 at this time, and blackouts are a common occurrence.

==Transportation==
Aktau has an [[Aktau airport|international airport]], a railway station, and a developed seaport.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.portaktau.kz/eng/ |title=Aktau Port |publisher=Port Aktau |date= |accessdate=May 29, 2013}}</ref> [[Bus]]es and [[Taxicab|taxis]] are the principal means of public transport within the city.

Kazakhstan has been increasing the importance of Aktau's port with its changes in international export policy. It has been attempting to halt the transit of grain through the Black Sea and instead use routes over the Caspian or via Turkmenistan. Aktau's port has been expanded (completion achieved summer 2015) to accommodate ever larger quantities and more diverse types of cargo.<ref>{{cite news|title=Expansion of Aktau seaport goes according to schedule: Kazakhstan Temir Zholy|url=http://en.tengrinews.kz/industry_infrastructure/Expansion-of-Aktau-seaport-goes-according-to-schedule-260836|date=2015-06-25|accessdate=2015-12-29|publisher=Tengri News}}</ref> The intent is for cargo to transit by ship over the Caspian Sea and then by rail through Azerbaijan and Georgia for delivery in Turkey and beyond. This new route was made possible by the opening of a railway connecting Georgia and Turkey in 2014.<ref>{{cite news|title=Kazakhstan to Leave Black Sea Grain Route|url=http://www.satrapia.com/news/article/kazakhstan-to-leave-black-sea-grain-route/|accessdate=8 August 2012|newspaper=The Gazette of Central Asia|date=August 8, 2012|publisher=Satrapia}}</ref>

==Climate and leisure==
Aktau experiences a [[cold desert climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]] ''BWk''), with dry summers and mild winters, with a mean January temperature of {{convert|+0.5|C}}, and a mean July temperature of {{convert|+25.55|C}}. It is notable that most of the city of Aktau lies below sea level in the [[Caspian Depression]] and is proximate to the lowest point in Kazakhstan and the former [[Soviet Union]] at [[Karagiye]].

The beach season lasts from May to September, with an average sea temperature of {{convert|+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. The city has variety of local hotels and western chains of [[Renaissance Hotels|Renaissance]] and [[Holiday Inn]].

{{Weather box
|location=Aktau
|metric first=yes
|single line=yes
|Jan high C = 1
|Feb high C = 2
|Mar high C = 6
|Apr high C = 14
|May high C = 22
|Jun high C = 26
|Jul high C = 29
|Aug high C = 28
|Sep high C = 23
|Oct high C = 16
|Nov high C = 9
|Dec high C = 3
|year high C = 15
|Jan low C = -2
|Feb low C = -2
|Mar low C = 1
|Apr low C = 7
|May low C = 15
|Jun low C = 19
|Jul low C = 22
|Aug low C = 21
|Sep low C = 16
|Oct low C = 9
|Nov low C = 3
|Dec low C = 0
|year low C = 9
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 8
|Feb precipitation mm = 9
|Mar precipitation mm = 15
|Apr precipitation mm = 17
|May precipitation mm = 20
|Jun precipitation mm = 16
|Jul precipitation mm = 16
|Aug precipitation mm = 16
|Sep precipitation mm = 17
|Oct precipitation mm = 16
|Nov precipitation mm = 16
|Dec precipitation mm = 16
|year precipitation mm = 182
|source 1 = Svali.ru<ref name="svali.ru">{{cite web
| url = http://www.svali.ru/catalog~42~38111~index.htm | title = Svali.ru| accessdate = May 7, 2012
| publisher = | language = Russian}}</ref>
|date=May 2012
}}

==Sights==

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 in a shape reminiscent of a traditional yurt
*MiG Monument at the Victory Mall
*Regional Studies and History Museum
*The Drama Theatre
*Yntymak Square
*Monuments of Famous people of the past: Kashagan, Zhalau Mynbayev and Taras Shevchenko
[[File:Dusk in the steppe.JPG|thumb|View of the steppe surrounding Aktau]]

<center>{{Panorama simple
|image = File:Aktau_Panorama21.jpg
|fullwidth = 2500
|fullheight = 500
|caption = Panorama of Night Aktau
|height = 250
}}</center>
[[File:Shevchenko monument Aktau.jpg|thumb|Shevchenko monument in Aktau]]
[[File:Aktau beach.jpg|thumb|View of the seaside]]

==Time capsule==
In 1967 the people of Aktau erected a [[Time capsule]] to send a message to future generations of the [[Mangyshlak Peninsula]], including names of people who helped to build the town in the desert. The letter was put in a metallic cylinder in a triangular marble urn. It is to be opened in November 2017.<ref name="Aktau: Years, people, memories"/> The capsule is located in District 2, opposite the 'Kazakhstan Trade Center.'

==Industry==
Major industry of the city remains hydrocarbon production as one of the biggest producing regions of the country.
In addition to its strategic location as the main seaport, Aktau attracted the biggest players of the oil service industry:
*[[Schlumberger]] Caspian geomarket main base and pumps manufacturing
*[[Baker Hughes]] Caspian geomarket main base
*[[Halliburton]] Kazakhstan main base
*[[Weatherford International]] Kazakhstan main base
*[[Cameron International]] Kazakhstan main base
*[[Tenaris]] premium pipes threading facility <ref>[http://www.tenaris.com/en/MediaAndPublications/News/2014/July/KazakhstanKPO.aspx Tenaris to build new facility] JULY 09, 2014 </ref>
*[[Arcelor Mittal]] pipelines manufacturing

==Aktau city project==
[[File:Horses in Mangystau Province, Kazakhstan.jpg|thumb|Entrance to the city]]

On September 11, 2007, President [[Nursultan Nazarbayev]] started the ''Aktau city'' project in order to develop tourism and attract investment.<ref>[http://www.khabar.kz/index.cfm?id=43550 New city project] Khabar news agency</ref> A totally new city was to have been built to the north-west of the current city with 4 million square meters of new residential and business buildings. The architecture style would have been derived from [[UAE]]'s construction experience under the patronage of [[Sheikh Abdullah ibn Zaid Al Nahayan]]. In August 2013, the project was called off.<ref>http://www.lada.kz/aktau_news/society/10772-aydarbaev-aktau-siti-ne-budet.html</ref>

==Twin towns and sister cities==
{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in Asia#Kazakhstan|l1=List of twin towns and sister cities in Kazakhstan}}

Aktau is [[twin towns and sister cities|twinned]] with:
*{{flagicon|AZE}} '''[[Sumqayit]]''', [[Azerbaijan]]<ref>[http://www.aktau.gov.kz/ru/gorod/gor_pobratim/?title=goroda_pobratimyi_216#title]</ref>
*{{flagicon|IRN}} '''[[Gorgan]]''', [[Iran]]
*{{flagicon|PRC}} '''[[Karamay]]''', [[China]]
*{{flagicon|ROK}} '''[[Changwon]]''', [[South Korea]]
*{{flagicon|TUR}} '''[[Samsun]]''', [[Turkey]]
*{{flagicon|RUS}} '''[[Makhachkala]], [[Russia]]

==References==

===Notes===
{{Reflist}}

===Sources===
*Е. М. Поспелов (Ye. M. Pospelov). "Имена городов: вчера и сегодня (1917–1992). Топонимический словарь." (City Names: Yesterday and Today (1917–1992). Toponymic Dictionary." Москва, "Русские словари", 1993.

==External links==
{{Commons category|Aktau}}
*{{wikivoyage-inline|Aktau}}
*[http://aktau.gov.kz Official website of Aktau] {{kk icon}}

{{Mangystau Region}}
{{Cities of Kazakhstan}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2015}}

[[Category:Aktau| ]]
[[Category:Cities and towns built in the Soviet Union]]
[[Category:Port cities in Asia]]
[[Category:Port cities in Europe]]
[[Category:Taras Shevchenko]]
[[Category:Populated places on the Caspian Sea]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1958]]

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