Akmola Region

Aqmola Region is a centrally located region of Kazakhstan. It was known as Tselinograd Oblast during Soviet rule. Its capital is Kökşetau. The national capital, Astana, is enclosed by the region, but is politically separate from Aqmola Region. The region's population is 715,000; Kökşetau's is 157,000. Some gold and coal mining occur in the area. Geography The area of the region is 146,200 square kilometers. Aqmola, along with Ulytau Region and Karaganda Region are Kazakhstan's only regions which don't touch the country's outer borders. The region borders North Kazakhstan Region in the north, Pavlodar Region in the east, Karagandy Region in the south, and Kostanay Region in the west. The Sileti river flows through the region. Etymology Aqmola means "the white burial" in Kazakh.