Aktau

Aktau (Kazakh: Ақтау, Russian: Актау), formerly known as Shevchenko (Russian: Шевченко, 1964–1991), is one of the biggest cities of western Kazakhstan, and the country's only seaport on the Caspian Sea. It is located on the Mangyshlak Peninsula and is the capital of Mangystau Province. Aktau literally means "white mountain" in Kazakh, so named after the cliffs overlooking the sea. Population: 166,962 (2009 Census results); 143,396 (1999 Census results).