Akmola Region
Kazakhstan Regions
Astana is the capital of the republic. Since 1997 December 10 it was named Akmola, and since 1998 May 6 it was renamed Astana (till 1961 Akmolinsk, then Tzelinograd). Astana is an important industrial and cultural center of the republic, as well as a railway and auto-transport junction. In 1824 it was founded as a military post, a fortification founded by the Russian Kazakh troops on the bank of the Ishim river, in 1868 it got the status of town, and in 50s of 20th century it became an important center of development of the Virgin Lands in the north of the country. The industry includes agri-mechanical engineering, food processing, refining of agricultural raw material, and transportation.
Akmola region was founded in 1961. The territory is 146.6 thousands sq. km. The population is 374.9 thousands people (45.7%), the population density is 5.6 men/sqm. The center of the region is Kokchetau. There are 17 rural regions, 10 towns (1-large, 2-middle sized, 7-small), 14 settlements, 776 villages and rural districts.
Relief
Kokchetav Hills including the Kokchetav mountains (the highest peak is 947 m), Ereimentau (899 m), Zhaksy-Zhangyztau (730 m); the Atbasarska and Siletinskaya plains; and the Tengiz-Korgalzhin lowlands.
Flora and soil
Southern and carbonite black soils with feather-grass flora and birch-coniferous forest massifs are found in the northern part of the oblast. Dark chestnut, chestnut and light chestnut soils with feather-grass flora, small islands with pine-birch forests are found in the southern part of the region. A large recreation zone including a sanatorium health resort complex was founded in the mountainous pine forests. Nature reserves include: Korgalzhin National Park, Ereimentausky, and Atbasarsky. In Borvskoye and Zerendiskoye hunting farms, hunters settle and acclimatize different kinds of animals and birds.
The largest rivers are: the Ishim, Nura, Silety, Kulanotpes; the lakes are: Lake Tengiz (1162 sq. km), Kypshak (64.7 sq. km), Kerei (63 sq. km), Kozhakol (60.7 sq. km); the reservoirs are: Viacheslavskoye (the area is 60.7 sq. km, the capacity is 410.9 mln cubic meters), and Siletinskoye (the area is 36.3sqkm, the capacity is 221.8mln cubic meters). The main minerals are: ores of non-ferrous and black metals, and uranium; deposits of building materials like coal, cobalt, and kaolin; and of mineral waters and medicinal mud.
Transport and communication.
Railways cover 1.588km or 11.3% from the national network. Paved roads cover 64.7km per 1,000sqm.
The Kurgalja Lakes have plenty of fish including farmed species such as golden and silver crucian, ide, pike, tench, perch and roach.
Lake Tengiz is the biggest lake of the reserve (1.590sqkm-wide, with a 488km-long coast). The world's most northern colony of pink flamingos nestles on its islands. They have been here since the Paleolithic era when the entire Tengiz-Kurgalja Depression was under the Tetis Sea.
In the Kurgalja Reserve the luckiest will come across the black stork, hooping swan and brand goose; and wild boars hiding in the reed-beds. From time to time, forest species from Northern Kazakhstan and Western Siberia, such as the lynx, roe and elk visit this reserve.
The Burabay National Park is located in the north of Akmola region. This is a fantastic mountain country with gorgeous pinewoods, layered rocks resembling gigantic bricks, fantastically shaped peaks sometimes resembling Egyptian pyramids separated by silent lakes. Although the Burabay Park does not have any artifacts, every rock here has its own legend.
Nature generously scattered precious mineral treasures around Burabay. Among them the picturesque Okzhetpes cliff (That even an arrow cannot reach) with peaks like baby elephants, and the Zhumbaktas cliff (Riddle stone) like a sphinx of stiff fearless features.
The shores of Borovoye Lake (the beauty and pride of the area) are crowded with sanitariums, campsites and resorts with their restaurants, beaches, stores and nightclubs. From the small mountainous island you can see Bolshoe Chebachni Lake. It is a perfect holiday spot for those who like to have a quiet break and prefer camping and nature. From the top of Mt. Kokchetau (961 m) you get a panoramic view of the lake, as big as a sea, stretching almost to the end of the horizon. Burabay National Park also features Lake Shchuchye and many smaller lakes.
Joint project of OrexCA.com and KTA & KAGIR. Information is taken from CD "All about tourism in Kazakhstan"
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