Aktobe is a region of Kazakhstan. The Aktobe regional capital is the city of Aktobe, with a population of more than 340,000. The region itself has a population 678,900. The name "Aktobe" comes from Kazakh "Ақ" (white) and "төбе" (hill); supposedly, Aktobe's initial settlers were able to see white mountains far to the north.

Geography

The area of the region is 300,600 square kilometers, making it the second largest region of Kazakhstan, after Karaganda Region. Aktobe Region borders Russia to the north and Uzbekistan to the south, and also borders six other Kazakh regions: the Atyrau Region to the west, the Mangystau Region to the south-west, the Karaganda Region to the east, the Kostanay Region to the north-east, the Kyzylorda Region to the south-east, and the West Kazakhstan Region to the north-west. The Ilek River, a tributary of the Ural River, flows through the region.

Demographics

According to the national census of 2009, the area's population was 779,542 people - 407,217 women and 372,325 men. The majority, 614,961 (79%), are Kazakhs, unlike in other areas of the country. The populace also includes Russians, Tatars, Ukrainians, Germans, Koreans, Moldavians, Jews, Armenians, and Chechens.

Administrative divisions

The region is administratively divided into twelve districts and the city of Aktobe.

Alga District, with the administrative center in the town of Alga;

Ayteke Bi District, the village of Komsomol;

Bayganin District, the village of Karauilkeldy;

Kargaly District, the settlement of Badamsha;

Khromtau District, the town of Khromtau;

Kobda District, the aul of Kobda;

Martuk District, the village of Martuk;

Mugalzhar District, the town of Kandyagash;

Oiyl District, the village of Oiyl;

Shalkar District, the town of Shalkar;

Temir District, the town of Temir;

Yrgyz District, the village of Yrgyz.

Eight localities in Aktobe Region have town status. These are Aktobe, Alga, Embi, Kandyagash, Khromtau, Shalkar, Temir, and Zhem.

Two more localities - Shubarkuduk and Shubarshi - have status of urban-type settlement.