Atyrau

The wooden fort at the mouth of the Yaik River was founded in 1645 by the Russian trader Gury Nazarov.

Atyrau is considered to be located both in Asia and Europe, as it is divided by the Ural River.

Atyrau's climate is semi-arid, with hot summers and cold winters, and the lowest recorded temperature is −37.9 °C.

The third biggest refinery in Kazakhstan is located in Atyrau, operated by KazMunayGas.

In 2001, a unique pedestrian suspension bridge was built in Atyrau, listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the longest pedestrian bridge in the world.