Zhanaozen, Kazakhstan

Zhanaozen (Kazakh: Jañaözen, Жаңаөзен, جاڭاوزەن, pronounced [ʑɑŋɑøˈzʲen]), formerly known as Novy Uzen (Russian: Новый Узень), is a city in the Mangystau Region of Kazakhstan located south-east of the city of Aktau. The name of the town means "new river" in Kazakh. Janaozen is a city of regional significance. It is completely surrounded by the territory of Karakiya District, but administratively does not belong to the district. It had a population of 147,962 in 2018; the census population in 2009 was 113,014, and that in 1999 had been 63,337.