Aktau, Port city in Mangystau Region, Kazakhstan
Aktau is a port city on the eastern shore of the Caspian Sea in Mangystau Region, Kazakhstan. Modern apartment blocks rise between sandstone cliffs, while development spreads along the coast across flat desert slopes.
The discovery of uranium deposits in 1958 transformed an empty area into a settlement, initially named Shevchenko and later renamed Aktau. The new name replaced the Soviet-era designation following Kazakhstan's independence in 1991.
Buildings here use a three-number address system instead of traditional street names, organizing the residential areas by district, building, and apartment coordinates. Locals navigate through neighborhoods using this grid-based method, which arranges the urban layout in a strict numerical order.
The international seaport connects the country with other Caspian coastal states, handling cargo and passenger traffic throughout the year. Visitors should prepare for desert-like conditions with intense sun exposure, especially during summer months.
All drinking water comes from seawater desalination plants, as there are no natural freshwater sources in the surrounding area. Large pipelines along the coast transport the treated water to residential blocks and industrial facilities across town.
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