Aktobe facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Aktobe Ақтөбе  (Kazakh) Актобе  (Russian)
City
From the top, Shanyrak Memorial & the Nur Ghasyr Mosque, Akhtanov Theatre, Philharmonia hall
Flag Seal
Aktobe Location in Kazakhstan Show map of Kazakhstan Aktobe Location in Asia Show map of Asia
Country	Kazakhstan
Region	Aktobe Region
Founded	1869
Area
• City	400 km2 (200 sq mi)
Elevation	219 m (719 ft)
Population  (2020-01-01)
• City	560,820
• Density	1,400/km2 (3,600/sq mi)
• Metro	750,000
Time zone	UTC+5 (UTC+5)
Postal code	030001
Area code(s)	+7 7132
Vehicle registration	04, D
HDI (2019)	0.804 high · 4
GDP (nominal)	2022
• Total	$9,6 billion (KZT 4 416 899,4 million)
• Per capita	$10,474 (KZT 4 788,2 thousand)
Website	http://www.akimataktobe.gov.kz/

Aktobe coat of arms on a road sign at the city limit

The Mausoleum of Kazakh War-leader Eset Batyr, outside Aktobe

Aktobe (Kazakh: Ақтөбе, romanized: Aqtöbe, pronounced [ɑqtɵbʲe]; Russian: Актобе) is a large city in Kazakhstan. It is located in the western part of the country, on the Ilek River. Aktobe is the main city of the Aktobe Region. As of 2023, about 560,820 people live there.

Aktobe is the fourth largest city in Kazakhstan by population. It is also the biggest city in western Kazakhstan. The city covers an area of about 400 square kilometers. Aktobe is home to many different groups of people. About 79% are Kazakhs and 14.8% are Russians. The main religions are Islam and Christianity.

What Does Aktobe Mean?

The name Aktobe comes from two Kazakh words: aq meaning 'white' and töbe meaning 'hill'. This name refers to the white hills where the city was first built in the 1800s. Before 1999, the city was officially known as Aktyubinsk.

A Look Back: Aktobe's History

How Aktobe Began and Grew

The land where Aktobe is today has a long history. Many ancient cultures and empires once lived here. This area was very important for the "Little Horde" of the Kazakhs. A famous Kazakh warrior named Eset Batyr fought battles against the Dzungars from this region. You can find his burial place about 35 kilometers south of Aktobe city.

In March 1869, Russian soldiers built a fort here with 300 troops. It was placed where the Kargala and Ilek Rivers meet, along an old trade route. Soon, people from Slavic countries started moving to the area to farm. Neighborhoods quickly grew around the fort. In 1874, the fort became bigger, and new streets were added. In 1891, the settlement was officially named Aktyubinsk.

The city grew very fast in the late 1800s and early 1900s. In 1889, only 2,600 people lived there. By 1909, the population had jumped to over 10,700! The city also developed with new buildings. It had two churches, a mosque, schools for boys and girls, a clinic, a bank, and a post office. A railway line, the Trans-Aral Railway, reached the city in 1901. Before World War I, factories started to appear, including an electric factory and a brick factory.

Aktobe During the Russian Civil War

Because of its location on the railway, Aktyubinsk was a very important place during the Russian Civil War. Both the Red Army and the White Movement fought hard to control it. People from the area supported both sides.

In 1918, the Red Army was surrounded in Aktyubinsk by forces led by Ataman Dutov. The White forces attacked the city, but they didn't fully take it. Later, the Red Army managed to break through and connect their forces. However, in April 1919, the White forces captured Aktyubinsk again. This cut off the Red Army's railway access to Central Asia.

By September 1919, the Red Army fought back and took Aktyubinsk after an eight-day battle. This allowed them to control the railway to Tashkent. In March 1920, a big meeting of Soviet workers was held in the city. This meeting helped lead to the creation of the Kirgiz Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic, which later became Kazakhstan.

Aktobe in Modern Times

In 1932, Aktyubinsk became the capital of the Aktobe Region. The city grew a lot during World War II. Many factories from other parts of the Soviet Union were moved here. This included factories for making special metals and X-ray equipment. The mining of Chromium also started in the region. In the 1960s, the city expanded even more, with new buildings and a sports stadium.

After Kazakhstan became independent in 1991, Aktobe changed a lot. Old factories became less important, and the energy industry grew. The city continued to expand, with many people moving in from the countryside. In 1999, the city's name was officially changed from Aktyubinsk to Aktobe. This was part of a national effort to support the Kazakh language.

Aktobe's Location and Environment

Aktobe and its surroundings from space (ESA Sentinel-2 satellite image)

The Kargala River flows into the Ilek River near Aktobe

Aktobe is in Western Kazakhstan. The city itself is located where the Kargala and Ilek rivers meet. The area around Aktobe is mostly flat, like a steppe, with some low hills to the northeast. Other rivers, like the Emba and the Ural River, flow through the wider region. The southern part of the region is a semi-desert.

Rivers and Reservoirs

Aktobe is built where the Kargaly River joins the Ilek River. The Sazdy River, a smaller branch of the Ilek, flows right through the city center. There are also a few other small rivers nearby.

The city has several important water reservoirs. The Aktobe reservoir, built in 1988, is about 10 kilometers southeast of the city. Locals sometimes call it the "Aktobe Sea." The Sazdinskoye reservoir, built in 1967, is a popular spot for people to relax. The Kargaly reservoir, built in 1975, is the largest artificial lake near Aktobe.

Aktobe's Climate

Aktobe has a climate with big changes between seasons. Winters can be very cold, with temperatures sometimes dropping to -48°C. Summers can be very hot, reaching up to 43°C. The weather can change quickly, especially in spring and autumn. People in Aktobe call the windy days in March "Five Guests" because the weather changes so fast. The city gets about 330 millimeters of rain each year.

People of Aktobe

Aktobe is the most populated city in Western Kazakhstan. It is the fourth largest city in the whole country. In October 2019, Aktobe's population reached over 497,000 people, passing Karaganda. By early 2020, it had over 500,000 residents.

The city's population is growing fast. Between 2003 and 2013, the number of people living in Aktobe increased by 50%. This growth is due to more births and people moving to the city. Many people move to Aktobe from other parts of Kazakhstan and Central Asia.

Most people in Aktobe are Kazakh, making up about 81.39% of the population. Russians are the second largest group at 13.2%. Other groups include Ukrainians and Tatars.

Aktobe's Economy

New buildings in Aktobe

Farming and raising animals are very important to the economy of the Aktobe Region. Products like Beef, mutton, and dairy are big parts of the local economy.

Heavy industries started in Aktobe during World War II. Today, many fast-growing businesses in Aktobe are related to making food or building things. Some foreign companies have also partnered with local businesses. Important minerals like copper and chromite are mined in the region.

However, the biggest boost to Aktobe's economy comes from energy. Oil and natural gas are found and processed here. A company called Chinese National Petroleum Company (CNPC) owns a large part of AktobeMunaiGaz and invests a lot in getting oil and gas from the region. Pipelines have been built to transport oil to other places, like China. The money from oil and gas has helped other businesses grow, such as banking and real estate.

Industries in Aktobe

Aktobe is a major industrial hub. It has factories that make special metals (ferroalloys), chromium products, and X-ray equipment. Chemical, light, and food industries are also important.

One of the first big chemical factories in Kazakhstan was built near Aktobe in 1930. The Aktobe Ferroalloy Plant, opened in 1943, was the first metal factory in Kazakhstan. The Aktobe plant for chromium compounds is the only one in the country that makes certain chromium products.

The city also has large food companies that produce flour, sweets, pasta, and vegetable oil. In 2014, the value of goods produced by the city's businesses was about 1.44 billion US dollars.

Education in Aktobe

Aktobe has many colleges and universities. These include Zhubanov University and the West Kazakhstan Medical University. The military also has a pilot school in the city, which trained many pilots in the past. The Aktobe Art School is a respected place for art education.

Science and Innovation

Aktobe is also a center for science. In 2009, a lot of money was spent on scientific and technical work in the city. Businesses in Aktobe have created new technologies and tools. While there's a lot of research, only a small number of companies use new inventions in their products.

Healthcare in Aktobe

The Health Department in Aktobe makes sure that people's health is protected. It also oversees medical education and the quality of medical services. All hospitals and clinics in the city and region are managed by this department.

The first city hospital opened in 1912. By 2019, Aktobe had 28 hospitals and 143 clinics. These facilities had over 2,200 doctors and 4,000 medical staff. Doctors in Aktobe can treat many different illnesses, including heart and kidney problems.

Culture and Fun in Aktobe

Museums to Explore

Aktobe has six museums. The oldest is the Aktobe Regional Museum of History and Local Lore, opened in 1929. It's a great place to learn about the city's past. There's also a museum dedicated to Alia Moldagulova, a famous sniper, located near her memorial. The Rukhaniyat Museum, inside the Nur Gasyr Mosque, focuses on science and education. The Museum of Art and Decorative and Applied Arts shows off beautiful artworks.

Theaters and Music

Aktobe has two professional theaters. The oldest is the Drama Theater, named after T. Akhtanov. It started in 1935. There's also a children's puppet theater called "Alakay." The Regional Philharmonic, founded in 1944, hosts musical performances. The House of Friendship, opened in 2009, helps promote the cultures and traditions of all the different groups in the region.

Libraries for Learning

The city has 18 libraries. The main one is the Lomonosov Central Library, which has several branches, including the Samuil Marshak Children's Library. These libraries offer books in many languages, like Russian, German, English, and French.

City Celebrations and Festivals

Aktobe celebrates City Day every year on May 28th. There are many cultural events in parks and other venues. On May 1st, the city celebrates the opening of the fountain season with "Fountain Splashes."

From 2001 to 2008, Aktobe hosted the "Sukhovei" festival, which featured independent music and attracted guests from other countries. After a break, the festival was announced to return in 2015.

Cinemas for Movies

In the past, Aktobe had several cinemas. Today, some old cinemas have been turned into shopping centers or business centers. In 2002, the Lokomotiv Cinema opened in an old railway workers' building. In 2009, a modern cinema called "Kinopark" with seven screens opened in the KeruenCity shopping mall.

Parks and Fun Places

Aktobe has several parks where people can relax and have fun. In the past, Aviator park, Central park (now named after the First President), and A.S. Pushkin park all had amusement rides. Today, Pushkin park still has about 20 rides.

The Central Park, now named after Nursultan Nazarbayev, was renovated. Old rides were removed, and a new entertainment center called "Captain Brig" was built. It has carousels and roller coasters. There are also entertainment centers for kids inside shopping malls like Nurdaulet and MEGA Aktobe.

The Park of Health, opened in 2017, has mini-football and basketball courts, along with other sports facilities.

Aktobe's Buildings and Monuments

Aktobe's buildings show a mix of old and new styles. You can see modern buildings next to ones built during the Soviet era. Some very old buildings from before the Russian Revolution still stand. For example, the Russian-Kyrgyz women's school, built in 1894, is now a restaurant. The old House of Culture of Railway Workers, built in 1928, is now the Lokomotiv Cinema and is considered a historical monument.

The city has many monuments and memorials. Since Kazakhstan became independent, 28 new monuments have been built. There's a special focus on the famous sniper Alia Moldagulova. A memorial complex, a monument, and a museum are dedicated to her. Her monument and a bust of cosmonaut Viktor Patsaev are important historical and cultural sites.

In 2008, a unique monument was unveiled in Aktobe. It's dedicated to the characters from Abdijamil Nurpeisov's book "Blood and Sweat." This was the first monument in Kazakhstan to honor literary characters.

Aktobe Planetarium

The Aktobe Planetarium was the first planetarium in Kazakhstan. It was built in Pioneer Park. Inside its dome-shaped "Star Hall," visitors can see amazing astronomical events like solar and lunar eclipses, meteor showers, and sunrises. The planetarium also hosts talks about astronomy and space. From 1967 to 2012, about 1.5 million people visited the planetarium, mostly schoolchildren.

Sports in Aktobe

Central Stadium in Aktobe

Football is very popular in Aktobe. The city has a football club called FC Aktobe. Their fans are known as the "13th sector." In 2013, Aktobe was named "the most football city in Kazakhstan." The Central Stadium, built in 1975, meets international standards. FC Aktobe has won the Kazakhstan championship several times and is one of the most-watched clubs in the country.

Getting Around Aktobe

Transportation

Aktobe has good transport links. You can travel by train to cities like Moscow, Bishkek, and Tashkent, as well as to other cities in Kazakhstan.

The Aktobe Airport offers flights to major cities in Kazakhstan and to Moscow. Bus services connect Aktobe with nearby villages and towns in Russia.

Energy and Utilities

The Aktobe region has large amounts of oil and natural gas. The CNPC/AktobeMunaiGaz company is working to develop these resources. Oil and gas pipelines run through Aktobe and the surrounding area. For example, the Keniyak-Orsk pipeline carries oil to a refinery in Russia. Another pipeline, the Kazakhstan-China Pipeline, transports oil to China. Aktobe is also connected to a natural gas pipeline.

Famous People from Aktobe

• Dimash Kudaibergen (born 1994), a famous singer.
• Konstantin Lokhanov (born 1998), a Russian junior world champion in fencing.
• Yury Lonchakov (born 1965), a Russian cosmonaut.
• Alexander Mikaberidze (born 1978), a historian.
• Rashid Nezhmetdinov (1912–1974), a chess master.
• Viktor Ivanovich Patsayev (1933–1971), a cosmonaut.
• Valeri Liukin (born 1966), an Olympic gymnastics gold medalist and coach.
• Assylbek Yensepov (born 1980), a musician.
• Zhalgas Zhumagulov (born 1988), an MMA fighter.
• Zülfia Süleimenova (born 1990), a government minister.
• Sabina Altynbekova (born 1996), a volleyball player.
• Daniyar Kulymsha (born 1998), a singer.

Events in Aktobe

In November 2011, Aktobe hosted the VII Asian-Pacific Astronomy Olympiad. This was a big event for young astronomers from different countries.

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See also

In Spanish: Aktobé para niños