Aktobe is a major city in western Kazakhstan, located on the river Ilek. It serves as the administrative center of the Aktobe Region and is an important cultural, economic, and industrial hub. As of 2023, the city had a population of 560,820, making it the fourth-largest city in Kazakhstan, and the largest in the western part of the country. It covers an expansive area of approximately 428.469 km2 and is strategically located to serve as a regional center for trade and commerce.