Aktobe, Administrative center in western Kazakhstan.
Aktobe is an administrative center in western Kazakhstan that extends on both sides of the Ilek River. The city sits in a flat steppe landscape and forms an important transport hub between Europe and Central Asia.
A Russian military fort called Bieli Kholm was founded here in 1869 and developed into the center of a settler community. The place later received its current name and grew considerably during the 20th century through industry and mining.
The name of this place derives from the Kazakh word for white hill and recalls the topography of the early settlement. Today the city is known for its Orthodox churches and mosques that shape religious life in western Kazakhstan.
The international airport is located nearby and offers connections to several cities in Kazakhstan and Russia. The central railway station sits in the heart of the city and is easy to reach by bus or taxi.
Several neighborhoods carry names of foreign capitals such as Moscow and Shanghai, pointing to the different origins of settlers. These labels reflect the historical immigration of people from different parts of the Soviet Union.
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