Fort-Shevchenko
This article needs additional citations for verification. (August 2011) |
Fort-Shevchenko
Форт-Шевченко Fort-S'evc'enko | |
---|---|
![]() Fort-Shevchenko from the air | |
Coordinates: 44°31′N 50°16′E / 44.517°N 50.267°E | |
Country | Kazakhstan |
Region | Mangystau Region |
Population (2016)[1] | |
• Total | 5,559 |
Time zone | UTC+5 (+5) |
Fort Shevchenko (Kazakh: Fort-S'evc'enko) is a military-base town and administrative centre of Tupkaragan District in Mangystau Region of Kazakhstan on the eastern shore of Caspian Sea. Primary industries include fishing and the extraction of stone. Population: 5,559 (2016 estimate).[1]
History
The city was founded as a military stronghold by the Imperial Russian Navy. Until 1857 it was known as Novopetrovskoe (Новопетровское) and from 1857-1939 as Fort Aleksandrovskii (Форт-Александровский). It was named for Ukrainian poet Taras Shevchenko, who was assigned to military service here during his exile. Today the town is used by the Kazakhstan Navy as a base.
The coat of arms of Fort Alexandrovsky was approved October 22, 1908, along with other arms of the Transcaspian field: It is black and silver depicting the fortress and two fish.
Russian Civil War
Fort Alexandrovsky was the site of naval action on 21 May 1919, when a Squadron of the British Caspian Flotilla attacked the port.[2]
Landmarks
There are several landmarks of significance; Shevchenko Memorial Museum, National History, and ethnographic museums. The Shevchenko Memorial Museum opened in 1932 near where he had been hiding. There are also some remnants of the fortress, a monument to Shevchenko and a state grave of Civil War heroes.
31 km from the city is the necropolis Beysenbay and up the coast the site Bautino (Баутино).
References
External links
Media related to Fort-Shevchenko at Wikimedia Commons
44°31′N 50°16′E / 44.517°N 50.267°E