Kyzylorda Region
Kazakhstan Regions

Bow els of the earth here are rich in minerals. That is why the key branch of the regional economy is industry. However, the territory of Kyzylorda Region accommodates nu merous architectural, archeological and cultural memorials, such as: the Sauran-Kamal Fortress (12-16th centuries), Sygnak settlement, the Korkyt-Ata Memorial Complex, the mosques of Aktas, Nogai, Nuraly and Okyshy-Ata, the Sunak-ata and Aitkhozha-Iman Mausoleums.

But the key sight of the region that attracts many tourists from all over the world is Baikonur space-center. Its total area is 6,717 sq. km. Here you can watch space launching and visit the Cosmonauts Museum, as well as the houses where Yuri Gagarin and Sergei Korolyov lived.

The region is located in the desert zone, down-stream the Syrdaria river. Here, tugai and reeds are neighboring flood-lands and lakes. You can come across wild boar, reed cat, pheasant, pike, perch, catfish and others.

The region accommodates the Barsa-Kelmes (translated from Kazakh as "If you go this way, you won't come back") National Preserve. Its main treasure is koulan (Asian wild ass). Until re cently herds of koulans were typical for this region.

At present, only some 140 koulans live in the preserve. On the verge of dis­ appearance is saiga, being exterminated by poachers because of its allegedly healing horns.

However, herds of the most ancient species of antelope can be found here, especially in the areas ad jacent to the Aral sea. Lovers of exotics can often come across the aboriginal of this land - two-humped camel (baktrian) and en joy riding this animal.

Joint project of OrexCA.com and KTA & KAGIR. Information is taken from CD "All about tourism in Kazakhstan"