Aral, also known as
Aralsk or
Aral'sk, (
Kazakh:
Арал,
Russian:
Аральск) is a small city in south-western
Kazakhstan, located in the
oblast (region) of
Kyzylorda. It serves as the administrative center of
Aral District. Aral was formerly a fishing port and harbour city on the banks of the
Aral Sea, and was a major supplier of fish to the neighboring region. Population:
History
Early settlement
In 1817, there was a village Alty-Kuduk (Six Wells) near the present city of Aralsk. This is currently a railway passing-track in the southern part of the city. Since the 1870s, this was recorded as the Aralsky settlement. The development of Aralsk began when the Orenburg-Tashkent railway was being constructed (1899-1905). In 1905, the railway station was constructed and continues to operate. The official history of Aralsk began that same year.