Mangyshlak Peninsula

Mangyshlak or Mangghyshlaq Peninsula (Kazakh: Mańǵystaý túbegi; Russian: Полуостров Мангышла́к) is a large peninsula located in western Kazakhstan. It borders on the Caspian Sea in the west and with the Buzachi Peninsula, a marshy sub-feature of the main peninsula, in the northeast. The Tyuleniy Archipelago lies off the northern shores of the peninsula.

Mangyshlak Peninsula

Mańǵystaý túbegi

Полуостров Мангышла́к
Peninsula
Mangyshlak Peninsula
Coordinates: 44°0′N 52°0′E
CountryKazakhstan
RegionMangystau Region
SeaCaspian Sea

The area is between desert and semidesert with a harsh continental dry climate. There are no rivers and no fresh water springs. Geologically, the Mangyshlak Peninsula is part of the Ustyurt Plateau. To the north, three mountain ranges stretch across the peninsula, the North and South Aktau Range and the Mangystau Range, with the highest point reaching 555 m.[1] Administratively, the peninsula is in Kazakhstan's Mangystau Province. The largest city, and the capital of the province, is Aktau (formerly Shevchenko).

This peninsula was formerly also known as Sīāhkūh (Persian: سیاهکوه) which means 'Black Mountain' in Persian.[2] The Mangyshlak peninsula was overtaken in 1639 by Kalmyks.[3]

Cartography

The area was mapped by Fedor Ivanovich Soimonov during the Caspian Expedition, which surveyed the Caspian Sea from 1719 to 1727.[1]

Map of the Mangyshlak Peninsula area showing the bays surrounding it.
Map of the northeastern part of Caspian Sea with the Mangyshlak Peninsula at the bottom.

Sources
  1. Igor S. Zonn, Aleksey N Kosarev, Michael H. Glantz & Andrey G. Kostianoy, The Caspian Sea Encyclopedia, p. 285
  2. de Planhol, Xavier: (1990), CASPIAN SEA i. GEOGRAPHY, Encyclopædia Iranica. Vol.V, Fasc. 1, pp. 48-50
  3. Michael Khodarkovsky (1 October 2006). Where Two Worlds Met: The Russian State and the Kalmyk Nomads, 1600-1771. Cornell University Press. pp. 83–. ISBN 0-8014-7340-3.
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