page_title: Aktau
section_title: Sights
hierarchical_section_title: Aktau / Sights
caption_attribution_description: English: Aktau
context_page_description: Aktau is a city in Kazakhstan, located on the Eastern shore of the Caspian Sea. Its current name means "white mountain" in Kazakh, which may be due to its cliffs that overlook the Caspian. From 1964 to 1991 city was known as Shevchenko. Its former name was given due to the eponymous Ukrainian poet's period of exile in the area. It is located on the Mangyshlak Peninsula and is the capital of Mangystau Region.
  Aktau is known for its unique block address system. Almost no streets in Aktau have names; instead, addresses generally consist of three numbers: the district number, the building number, and the apartment number. This is because Aktau was originally planned as a camp for the workers of the oil industry.
context_section_description: The main attraction in the city remains the Caspian Sea with its long side walks and beaches. Other sights include:
  World War II Eternal Flame Memorial in a shape reminiscent of a traditional yurt
  MiG Monument at the Victory Mall
  Regional Studies and History Museum
  The Drama Theatre
  Yntymak Square
  Monuments of Famous people of the past: Kashagan, Zhalau Mynbayev and Taras Shevchenko
caption: Panorama of Night Aktau
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