Zhanaozen

Zhanaozen
Kazakh: Жаңаөзен
Jańaózen, Жанаозен
Town

Seal
Nickname(s): Town of oil industry workers
Zhanaozen
Location in Kazakhstan
Coordinates: 43°20′16″N 52°51′19″E / 43.33778°N 52.85528°E / 43.33778; 52.85528Coordinates: 43°20′16″N 52°51′19″E / 43.33778°N 52.85528°E / 43.33778; 52.85528
Country Kazakhstan
Region Mangystau Region
Government
 • Akim Elubay Zhakayuly Abilov (Елубай Жақайұлы Әбілов)
Area
 • Total 51.5 km2 (19.9 sq mi)
 • Land 51.5 km2 (19.9 sq mi)
 • Water 0.0 km2 (0.0 sq mi)
Elevation 171 m (561 ft)
Population (2014)[1]
 • Total 66,600
 • Density 1,293.20/km2 (3,349.4/sq mi)
 • Ethnicities Kazakhs, Russians and other
 • Religions Islam,Orthodox Christianity
Time zone UTC+5 (+5)
Telephone code +72934
Microregions 17
Website www.zhanaozen.gov.kz/kz

Janaozen or Zhanaozen (Kazakh: Жаңаөзен, translit. Jańaózen, جاڭاوزەن), formerly known as Novy Uzen (Russian: Новый Узень/Nový Uzeń, until 1993), is a town in the Mangystau Region of Kazakhstan located south-east of the city of Aktau. The name of the town means "new river" in Kazakh. Zhanaozen is a town of regional significance.[2] It is completely surrounded by the territory of Karakiya District, but administratively does not belong to the district.[3] Population: 48,871 (2009 Census results);[1] 91,332 (1999 Census results).[1]

History

The town of Zhanaozen was founded in 1964, after the opening of an oil field in Uzen. On 21 October 1968 Novy Uzen took the status of a settlement of town type, and since March 20, 1973 the status of a city of regional significance. June 1989 saw large disorders. Novy Uzen was renamed Zhanaozen in October 1993.

2011 oil strike

In May 2011, workers from the Ozenmunaigas oil field went on strike over pay. The strike was declared illegal by local courts and the state oil company sacked nearly 1000 employees.[4] Some of the sacked workers then occupied the town square in protest. On 16 December 2011 police were accused of firing on them.[5] Fifteen people (workers and police officers) were killed according to government officials, though opposition sources put the death toll in the dozens.[6] In disturbances that day local government offices, a hotel and an office of the state oil company were set on fire, according to General Prosecutor Askhat Daulbayev.[5] Eighty-six people were injured in the clashes – according to the authorities – and due to shortage of hospital beds in Zhanaozen, many were taken to be treated in the regional capital Aktau, about 150 km away.[6]

A state of emergency was declared on December 17, roads into Zhanaozen were blocked, and the local airport was closed for incoming flights. Mobile phone coverage was blocked, as were internet connections.[6]

Trials and allegations of torture and abuse

A trial of protesters began in Aktau in May 2012. Many defendants complained that they had been physically abused, and some even tortured, while in police custody and during interrogation.[4] Some witnesses also claimed they had been threatened by police into giving false testimony.[4]

Two further trials of security officials are taking place.

In the media

Popular Kazakh singer Bavyrjan released a song which openly criticised president Nazarbayev for not listening to the complaints of Zhanaozen's demonstrating workers. The song was banned by the government.[4]

Location and geography

Zhanaozen is located in the desert on Mangyshlak Peninsula. The town costs in the desert, weak hill district.

Climate

Climate of the town sharply-continental. Strong winds are present on a big extent of year. Winters not long, but rather frosty. Average winter temperature -5 -7 degrees Celsius, can sometimes reach -15 -17 degrees Celsius. Snow cover low power. Strong winds cause long snowstorms. Summer always hot, droughty and long. Average summer temperature +34 +36 degrees Celsius, can sometimes reach +45 degrees Celsius. The extremely rare rains have storm character. Average annual amount of precipitation of 120 mm. Rainfall is evenly distributed for all year slightly the increase in rainfall is observed during the spring period.

Climate data for Zhanaozen
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average high °C (°F) 0.8
(33.4)		 1.3
(34.3)		 7.3
(45.1)		 17.2
(63)		 24.7
(76.5)		 29.7
(85.5)		 32.7
(90.9)		 32.6
(90.7)		 25.7
(78.3)		 16.8
(62.2)		 9.1
(48.4)		 3.3
(37.9)		 16.8
(62.2)
Daily mean °C (°F) −2.9
(26.8)		 −2.7
(27.1)		 2.8
(37)		 11.5
(52.7)		 18.7
(65.7)		 23.5
(74.3)		 26.6
(79.9)		 25.7
(78.3)		 19.5
(67.1)		 11.6
(52.9)		 5.1
(41.2)		 0.3
(32.5)		 11.6
(53)
Average low °C (°F) −6.5
(20.3)		 −6.7
(19.9)		 −1.6
(29.1)		 5.9
(42.6)		 12.7
(54.9)		 17.4
(63.3)		 20.5
(68.9)		 18.8
(65.8)		 13.3
(55.9)		 6.4
(43.5)		 1.1
(34)		 −2.6
(27.3)		 6.6
(43.8)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 8
(0.31)		 8
(0.31)		 14
(0.55)		 16
(0.63)		 16
(0.63)		 9
(0.35)		 8
(0.31)		 6
(0.24)		 7
(0.28)		 11
(0.43)		 13
(0.51)		 12
(0.47)		 128
(5.02)
Source: http://en.climate-data.org/location/25822/

Population

Population of the town with adjacent villages Kyzylsay (3,500 people), Tenge (18,700 people) and Rakhat (30,800 people) for the end of the reporting periode made 129,600 people or 22.2% of all population of region. In comparison of 2012 the population increased on 4,500 people due to birth rate growth. National structure - Kazakhs, Russians, Karakalpaks and other nations.

Sport

Sports clubs

Futsal club of Munaishy acting in the championship of Kazakhstan on a futsal.

Sports constructions

  • Stadium of Amin Tuyakov.
  • Physical culture-improvements complex (PIC) of Rakhmet Utesinov.
  • "Energetik" children-young mans sport school (CYSS).

Transport

Zhanaozen is a terminal station at the railway connecting it to Gorgan (Zhanaozen — Gyzylgaya — Bereket — Gyzyletrek — Gorgan).

The city transport is presented by generally passenger "GAZellees" (12 routes, apprx. 120 units) and private taxi. The cost of passenger journey — 40 tenge's (children's — 20 tenges), and a taxi — 150 — 300 tenge's.

Famous residents

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Население Республики Казахстан" (in Russian). Департамент социальной и демографической статистики. Retrieved 8 December 2013.
  2. ↑ Жанаозен (in Russian). Nur.kz. Archived from the original on 4 February 2012. Retrieved 17 December 2011.
  3. ↑ Об итогах рейтинга городов и районов Мангистауской области по динамике социально-экономического развития за 3 квартал 2011 года. Огни Мангистау (in Russian). Aktau. 15 November 2011. Retrieved 17 December 2011.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "Abuse claims swamp Kazakh oil riot trial". BBC. Retrieved 16 May 2012.
  5. 1 2 Kazakh oil strike: 10 dead in Zhanaozen clashes, BBC, retrieved 16/12/2011
  6. 1 2 3 Kazakhstan curfew on oil town Zhanaozen after fatal clashes, BBC, retrieved 17/12/2011
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