Tours and excursions in Western Kazakhstan -
This is the land of the borders of Europe and Asia, the rivers of the Urals and ancient trade routes -
The West Kazakhstan region occupies the north-west of the country and is located in the European part of Kazakhstan, where the conditional border between Europe and Asia runs. This gives the region a special character – the influence of two worlds is felt here at the same time. Representatives of more than eighty nationalities live in the region, and the population is approaching seven hundred thousand people. More than two hundred thousand of them live in Uralsk, an ancient city on the Ural River, which is the administrative and cultural center of the region.
History
The history of these lands goes back thousands of years. Huns, Oguzes, Kipchaks and other peoples of the steppes roamed here, then the territory was part of the Golden Horde, Nogai Horde and Kazakh Khanate. In the 18th century, the region found itself at the center of major historical events related to the Russian Empire. It was here, near the Yaitsky town, the future Uralsk, that the uprising began under the leadership of Yemelyan Pugachev. After its suppression, the Yaik River was renamed Ural, and the city received its current name. Alexander Pushkin, Leo Tolstoy, Vladimir Dahl, Fyodor Chaliapin, as well as emperors Alexander II and Nicholas II visited Uralsk, which underlines the importance of the city in the history of all Eurasia.
Geography
The geography of the region highlights its steppe and Caspian character. The territory is mostly flat, gradually decreasing from the northeast to the southwest. The Common Syrt, the Caspian Lowland and the Emben Plateau converge here. The southern regions turn into the sandy massifs of Narynkum with dunes and salt marshes, and the highest point of the region reaches only about two hundred and sixty meters, which creates a feeling of open and boundless space.
Water resources
The region is permeated with water. There are about two hundred rivers and streams in the West Kazakhstan region, the largest of which is the Ural River, one of the most important waterways of the entire Eurasian region. Its basin includes the Chagan, Derkul, Kushum, Ilek and many small rivers. The Shalkar Lakes, the Fish Sacral and the Kamysh-Samara system form unique aquatic ecosystems. Lake Shalkar is the largest reservoir in the region, capable of storing more than a billion cubic meters of water and creating its own microclimate among the steppes.
Climate
The climate of Western Kazakhstan is sharply continental. It has hot, dry summers with dry winds and cold, windy winters. Temperatures can drop to -40 degrees in winter and rise to +40 in summer, which creates a harsh but expressive atmosphere of the steppe region.
Flora and fauna
The flora and fauna reflect this contrast. In the northern regions, grasslands and typical steppe grow, along the Urals there are forest belts of poplar, oak, willow and birch, and in the south there are salt marshes and sandy areas. The area is home to saiga antelopes, moose, roe deer, wild boars, wolves, foxes, beavers and rare birds such as swans, cranes, pelicans and sea eagles. Rivers and lakes are rich in fish, including walleye, carp, bream and even sturgeon in the Urals.
Additional information
The West Kazakhstan region is also one of the most important energy regions of the country. The largest Karachaganak oil and gas condensate field is located here, and the region provides almost the entire volume of gas condensate production in Kazakhstan. This has given the region a modern industrial significance, while preserving its steppe and historical atmosphere.
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How to get there and visit -
The main gates of the West Kazakhstan region are the cities of Uralsk and Atyrau, connected to Almaty, Astana and other cities by regular flights and railway routes. It is convenient to travel from Uralsk along the Ural River, to the steppe regions and to the lakes of the region.
GPS coordinates: 51°11'45"N 51°25'08"E
For traveling around the region, a car or organized sightseeing routes are best suited, allowing you to see remote natural corners and old settlements.
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Legend and legend
Old Kazakh legends say that it was in these western lands that the wind got its power. It is believed that the steppe winds of Western Kazakhstan preserve the memory of all the peoples who have passed through here for centuries. Travelers believed that if you stop on the shore of the Urals and listen to the wind, you can hear the echoes of ancient caravans and nomadic roads leading from Europe to Asia.
West Kazakhstan is a region where geography and history are intertwined especially closely. Here, Europe imperceptibly passes into Asia, the steppe meets the river, and ancient roads continue to live in modern routes. This region is not about mass tourism, but about space, wind and the feeling of a real land, where every kilometer of the road is filled with meaning and silence. For a traveler, Western Kazakhstan remains a rare opportunity to see authentic, unadorned and deep Kazakhstan, as it was created by nature and centuries.
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