The City of Aktobe
Aktobe is the administrative center of Aktobe Region and one of the largest cities in Kazakhstan. It stands in the west of the country, on the bank of the Ilek River.
The Name
"Aktobe" translates from Kazakh as "white hill" — the name of the site the city grew from.
History
The city's history dates back to 1869, when the Ak-Tobe fortification was founded here. In 1891, the settlement was granted town status under the name Aktyubinsk. In 1999, it was officially renamed Aktobe.
The City Today
Aktobe is now home to around 600,000 people, making it Kazakhstan's fourth-largest city by population. It is a major industrial and transport hub in the west of the country, built around oil, gas, and ferroalloys.
The City and the Club
FC Aktobe is the city's sporting calling card and one of its symbols. The Red and Whites' home matches draw supporters from across the region.