Aktau is a modern city built on the shores of the Caspian Sea in Kazakhstan. It's a popular stop for travellers crossing Central Asia, as it's the closest city to the borders of both Iran and Turkmenistan. Aktau is a relatively new city, founded in the 1960s as a Soviet industrial port. The city has since grown into a busy commercial and transportation hub. Aktau is home to a large port and a major oil and gas processing plant. The city is also a popular beach resort, with a number of sandy beaches along the Caspian Sea. Aktau is a cosmopolitan city, with a diverse population of ethnic Kazakhs, Russians, and Uzbeks. The city is home to a number of mosques, churches, and synagogues.