Travel and Adventure Tourism in the Aktobe Region -
The Aktobe Region is one of 14 regions of Kazakhstan. Its capital is Aktobe (Aktyubinsk). The region is located in the midwest of Kazakhstan. It borders the Aral Sea to the south and the Ural provinces of Russia to the north.
Information
Most of the region is a plain crossed by rivers, with the Mugodzhar Mountains stretching in the middle. The highest mountain, 657 meters (2,150 ft), is the Great Baktybay. The western part of the region is occupied by the Sub-Ural Plateau, which merges with the Caspian Lowland in the southwest; in the southeast are the sandy Aral-Karakum massifs, as well as the large and small Barsuki mountains. The Turgay Plateau begins in the northeast.
Flora and Fauna
The northwestern part of the region is covered with grass and wormwood, with meadows featuring meadow vegetation, poplar, aspen, and birch groves, and shrubs. The area has large rodent populations (steppe lemmings, ground squirrels, and mice). Predators include wolves and steppe foxes. Saiga antelopes also live here. The Turgay Protected Area, covering 348,000 hectares, is located in the Aktobe district.
The area is listed as a globally significant wetland. The lakes and adjacent wetlands cover an area of 40,000 hectares. The protected area's importance is explained by its location on one of the most important migratory bird routes.
The reserve is home to 29 mammal species, 11 fish species, and 170 bird species, 30 of which are listed in the Red Book of Kazakhstan. Vast reed fields are home to wild boar, and muskrats inhabit the lakes. Waterfowl are particularly abundant. In autumn and spring, the lakes are covered with flocks of birds. Gray geese, along with numerous ducks, herons, cormorants, and waders, nest here. Whooper swans, spoonbills, brown billed shelducks, pelicans, cranes, steppe eagles, white-tailed eagles, ospreys, and common ducks, also listed in the Red Book, nest here. Little swans, flamingos, red-necked geese, bustards, falcons, and the rare monk crane can also be observed in these areas. Commercial fishing and other activities are strictly prohibited during the nesting and breeding seasons.
History
The Aktobe Region was founded on March 10, 1932, as the Aktobe Region of the Kazakh SSR.
Economy
The Aktobe region contains the important oil fields of Zhanazhal and Kengiyak, as well as chrome ore deposits near the city of Khromtau. This was once the site of a Soviet-era missile testing ground.
Administrative Division
The region is divided into 12 districts and the independent city and capital of Aktobe.
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