Akmola Region ( ) is a centrally located region of Kazakhstan. Its capital is Kokshetau. The national capital, Astana, is enclosed by the region, but is politically separate from Akmola Region. The region's population is 748,300; Kokshetau's is 124,000. The area is 146,200 square kilometers. It and Karaganda Region are Kazakhstan's only two regions which don't touch the country's outer borders. Akmola Region borders North Kazakhstan Region in the north, Pavlodar Region in the east, Karagandy Region in the south, and Kostanay Region in the west. Some gold and coal mining occur in the area.