Jezkazgan, Industrial center in Ulytau Region, Kazakhstan
Jezkazgan is a city in Ulytau Region, central Kazakhstan, stretching along an artificial reservoir on the Kenggir River. Residential neighborhoods alternate with industrial complexes, while smokestacks and mine towers mark the skyline and surrounding hillsides remain visible in the distance.
The settlement began in 1938 as a workers' camp for copper extraction and quickly grew into a mining center. Three decades later, a large smelting plant was built, transforming the local economy for generations.
The name comes from the Kazakh word for copper, directly reflecting the ore deposits that shape daily life. Residents from eight different ethnic backgrounds bring their traditions into public spaces, festivals and local kitchens throughout the year.
Travelers reach the area by road or rail from Karaganda, and should prepare for long stretches through the Kazakh steppe. Local buses and taxis help visitors move between residential districts and the center once inside the city.
Cosmonauts plant trees along Seyfullin Boulevard after their capsules land in the nearby steppe. This tradition links the site to space exploration and brings international attention to the remote region.
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