Plizio Visual Lab
Zhanaozen
ℹ️Practical info — Zhanaozen
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🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- The climate is extremely hot and dry in summer, so sun protection is essential.
- As a functional oil town, expect limited tourist infrastructure.
- Hire a local driver with a 4x4 to explore the surrounding Mangystau region safely.
- Bring plenty of cash (Tenge), as card payments are not widely accepted.
🍽 Food
Try this traditional Kazakh meat dish in local teahouses
A local specialty you can find at the market
A hearty dish of roasted meat, widely available in traditional restaurants
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
For fresh produce and everyday supplies
Stock up on snacks before desert excursions
A small green retreat in the center of the industrial town
A good spot to watch the vast, arid landscape at sunset
Water temperature…
Zhanaozen is a prominent industrial city in the Mangystau Region of southwestern Kazakhstan, located in the heart of the arid Caspian Depression. The city was founded in 1964 as Novy Uzen to facilitate the exploitation of newly discovered oil and gas fields and was granted city status in 1968. Since 1993, it has been known by its current name, which translates from Kazakh as 'New River,' despite the region's severe lack of natural water sources. Economically, Zhanaozen is almost entirely driven by the petroleum industry, with Ozenmunaigas serving as the primary enterprise and employer. Geographically situated in a barren desert landscape, it lies roughly 150 kilometers east of the Caspian port city of Aktau. The climate is extremely arid, characterized by scorching summers with frequent dust storms and chilly winters. Due to its strategic importance in the energy sector, the city remains a vital hub for the national pipeline infrastructure.
- Location: Kazakhstan
- Nearby: Kenderli (14 km)
- Population: ~103.598 (2016)
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is May, Jun, Sep.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | -4 | -2 | 5 | 12 | 21 | 26 | 29 | 27 | 20 | 11 | 3 | -3 |
| Rain mm | 10 | 8 | 19 | 21 | 16 | 9 | 9 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 14 | 11 |
Geography
Facts
- The city was founded in 1964 as a settlement for oil industry workers.
- It was officially granted city status by the Soviet authorities in 1968.
- The name Zhanaozen translates to 'New River' in the Kazakh language.
- The nearby Ozen oil field is among the largest in Kazakhstan.
- The city is situated approximately 150 kilometers inland from Aktau.
- Water is supplied to the city via long-distance pipelines due to the desert climate.
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Frequently asked questions
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Zhanaozen: where is it located?
Zhanaozen: when is the best time to visit?
Zhanaozen: why is it worth visiting?
