Aktau

Aktau is a city located in the Mangystau Region of Kazakhstan. It is situated on the eastern shore of the Caspian Sea and is the administrative center of the region. The city was formerly known as Shevchenko, after the Ukrainian poet Taras Shevchenko.

The city is known for its unique architectural style, influenced by the Soviet Brutalist architectural movement, characterized by its large, concrete buildings. Aktau's surroundings offer a stark and picturesque landscape, with the Caspian Sea to the west and vast deserts to the east.

Aktau is an important port city on the Caspian Sea and serves as a transportation and logistics hub for the region. The city also has a diverse population, with a mix of ethnicities due to its role in the energy industry and its history as a planned city during the Soviet era.

Aktau's skyline creates a fascinating contrast between the man-made structures and the natural beauty of the surrounding environment. With some sandy beaches, summer tourism, a multicultural population and a temperate climate, Aktau offers serene Caspian beaches to the striking canyons and rocky formations.