Pavlodar oblast

Geography

The region is located in the north-east of the Republic of Kazakhstan and borders in the north with Omsk, in the north—east with Novosibirsk, in the east with the Altai Territory of the Russian Federation, in the south with Abai and Karaganda oblasts, in the west with Akmola and North Kazakhstan oblasts of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Most of the territory of Pavlodar oblast is located within the south of the West Siberian Plain in the middle reaches of the Irtysh River, and currently occupies an area of 127.5 thousand km2. From the north, the region borders with the Russian Federation (Omsk oblast), from the south — with Karaganda oblast, from the east — with Altai Territory and East Kazakhstan oblast, from the west - with Akmola and North Kazakhstan oblast.

Relief

Most of the region is located within the south of the West Siberian Plain, which is the greatest plain of the globe. The relief of the southwestern part of the region is very interesting. A small mountain forest oasis can be seen among the semi-desert steppe and hillocky area painted in yellow-brown color, with sparse vegetation.

Hydrography

Most of the region is located within the south of the West Siberian Plain, which is the greatest plain of the globe. The relief of the southwestern part of the region is very interesting. A small mountain forest oasis can be seen among the semi-desert steppe and hillocky area painted in yellow-brown color, with sparse vegetation.
More than 140 rivers flow through the territory of the region. The only major river, the Irtysh, flows from the South—West to the South-West for about 500 km and has a number of dead channels and islands. Tundyk, Aschisu, Shiderty, Olenty (Olenti) and other rivers begin in the hillocky area, which do not reach the Irtysh and end in drainless lakes. The Irtysh — Karaganda canal was built from Irtysh, on which several dams and reservoirs were built. There are many lakes in the region, mainly salty: Seletyteniz, Kyzylkak, Zhalauly, Shureksor, Karasor, Zhamantuz, Kalkaman, etc. — on the left bank; Maraldy, Moildy, Bolshoy Azhbulat, etc. — on the right bank.
There are 1200 small lakes in Pavlodar oblast. About a hundred of them are fresh, and the rest are salty. Eleven underground water deposits with operational reserves of 3.8 million cubic meters per day have been explored in the oblast. All of them are suitable for drinking and irrigation.

Climate

The territory of Pavlodar oblast, as well as territories of other oblasts of Northern Kazakhstan, belongs to the West Siberian climatic region of the temperate zone with an extremely continental climate. It is characterized by a cold long winter (5.5 months), hot and short summer (3 months).
History
Numerous tribes lived in the Irtysh region in prehistoric times. Traces of ancient man’s sites were found in the Bayanaul district, on the bank of Irtysh. Stone tools, flint arrowheads and spears were found. Millennia passed, the cultures of various tribes living in the Irtysh region changed. Kimaks, Usuni, Kangly, Kerei, Naimans roamed here. In the Middle Ages, the territory of modern Pavlodar oblast was part of the Kimak Kaganate, the Kipchak state, the Golden Horde and the Kazakh Khanate. On the territory of modern Pavlodar there were headquarters of Kazakh khans and sultans. Middle Zhuz tribes lived on the territory of Pavlodar oblast in the 19th century: Argyns (Basentiyn, Suyindik, Kanzhygaly, Begendyk families), Naimans (Bura, Teristanbaly), Kerei, Kypshak (Kulan), Bultyn-Kypshak Uak.

Administrative division

The region includes 10 districts, 3 cities of regional subordination, 7 settlements, 165 rural districts and 408 villages:

1. Aktogai district — the regional center is Aktogai village
2. Bayanaul district — the regional center is Bayanaul village
3. Zhelezinsky district — the regional center is Zhelezinka village
4. Irtysh district — the regional center is Irtyshsk village
5. Terenkol district — the regional center is Terenkol village
6. Akkulinsky district — the regional center is Akkuly village
7. Maisky district — the regional center is Koktobe village
8. Pavlodar district — the regional center is Pavlodar city (not part of the district)
9. Uspensky district — the regional center is Uspenka village
10. Shcherbakty district — the regional center is Shcherbakty village
11. Asku city
12. Pavlodar city
13. Ekibastuz city