Arkalyk

Arqalyq ( Kazakh Арқалық; earlier Russian Аркалык / Arkalyk or Arkalik ) is a city in central Kazakhstan. In 2008 lived circa 56,600 inhabitants in Arqalyq. The city describes itself as a city of miners, the regional government people and the people who like to live in a regional center.

Geographical location

The city is located 480 km from the regional capital Qostanai and 670 km from the state capital of Astana.

History

Arqalyq was founded in 1956 and was granted town rights in 1965. The city was the administrative center of the former territory Torghai.

Economy

The city was a center of the Soviet space program. Many cosmonauts landed here near in the Kazakh steppe and first came to Arqalyq before heading off to Baikonur. In addition, here was a launch facility for FLA missiles, the only plant from which the FLA units of the Eastern Bloc armies were able to perform the shooting down airborne targets real. Today is a bauxite mine in the town's largest employer. The town itself is very remote. The regional airport was closed, and the nearest town is a 15 -hour train ride away.