Oral (Kazakh: Орал, pronounced [woˈrɑɫ] ), also known as Uralsk (Russian: Уральск, IPA: [ʊˈralʲsk]), is a city in northwestern Kazakhstan, at the confluence of the Ural and Chagan rivers close to the Russian border. As it is located on the western bank of the Ural river, Uralsk is considered geographically in Europe. It is the capital of the West Kazakhstan Region. The ethnic composition is majority Kazakh (71%), followed by the second-largest ethnic group Russians (25%). Population: 271,900 (2009 census results); 194,905 (1999 census results).
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Oral, Kazakhstan in the context of Ural (river)
The Ural, also known as the Yaik /ˈjaɪk/, is a river flowing through Russia and Kazakhstan in the continental border between Europe and Asia. It originates in the southern Ural Mountains and discharges into the Caspian Sea. At 2,428 kilometres (1,509 mi), it is the third-longest river in Europe after the Volga and the Danube, and the 18th-longest river in Asia. The Ural is conventionally considered part of the boundary between the continents of Europe and Asia.
The Ural rises near Mount Kruglaya in the Ural Mountains, flows south parallel and west of the north-flowing Tobol, through Magnitogorsk, and around the southern end of the Urals, through Orsk where it turns west for about 300 kilometres (190 mi), to Orenburg, where the river Sakmara joins. From Orenburg it continues west, passing into Kazakhstan, then turning south again at Oral, and meandering through a broad flat plain until it reaches the Caspian a few kilometers below Atyrau, where it forms a fine 'digitate' (tree-like) delta.
Oral, Kazakhstan in the context of European Kazakhstan
European Kazakhstan (Kazakh: Еуропалық Қазақстан, romanized: Europalyq Qazaqstan, Қазақстанның еуропалық бөлігі, Qazaqstannyñ europalyq bölıgı, Russian: Европейская часть Казахстана) is the western part of the territory of Kazakhstan. It is geographically situated in Europe, as opposed to the country's sparsely populated and vastly larger eastern part, which is situated in Central Asia. The Ural River divides Kazakhstan into two parts, bisecting the Eurasian supercontinent. Two capitals of Kazakh regions are located in the European part of Kazakhstan—Oral and Atyrau.
Oral, Kazakhstan in the context of Oral Ak Zhol Airport
Manshuk Mametova International Airport (Kazakh: Мәншүк Мәметова атындағы Халықаралық әуежайы) (IATA: URA), is an airport in Kazakhstan located 12 km (7 mi) southeast of Oral (Uralsk). The airport is located south of the Oral River.
In February 2023, Oral Airport was acquired by Oral Airport Holding LLP. It is a Kazakhstani company, the controlling stake of which belongs to the Kazakhstani Uralsk Management LLP and businessman Dauletkhan Kilybayev, and a minority stake (49%) is owned by the Russian company JSC Retrans. The company hopes to turn Uralsk airport into a regional hub, expand the route network and carry out technical re-equipment of the airport
Oral, Kazakhstan in the context of West Kazakhstan Region
West Kazakhstan Region (Kazakh: Батыс Қазақстан облысы, romanized: Batys Qazaqstan oblysy; Russian: Западно-Казахстанская область) is a region of Kazakhstan. As of 1 August 2025, it had a population of 695,900. Its administrative centre is Oral (also known as Uralsk), a city of about 250,000 inhabitants.
The region was created as West Kazakhstan Oblast in the Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic during the Soviet-era. Between 1962 and 1992, it was named Uralsk Oblast. It was renamed in 1993 following the independence of Kazakhstan from the Soviet Union.