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| Focus. Mangghystau |
 On the shores of the Caspian Sea lies a peninsula, which for many years was referred to as "treasure island" for its many precious natural resources but nowadays gets increasing recognition as a fascinating travel destination; Manggau will become a name to remember. I took a trip there recently and am delighted to share my travel experience.My journey left me beyond a doubt as to the kind hospitality of the Kazakh people; everywhere I was met by the friendliest of people. II also got a firsthand experience of the curative muds and mineral springs in the area, the medicinal qualities of which even the Astrakhan merchants knew as far back as the IIX century. The ancient land of Mangghystau holds a special place amongst Islamic pilgrimage sites. Over 360 saints are burried here and parts of Mangghystau are considered sacred. Over 10'000 architectural monuments were counted here, scattered over ancient necropolises including koitases, kulpytases, sarcophagi, saghana-tams, mausoleums. Ornated with traditional patterns in gray and blue hues they symbolize life-time purity and beauty of man. Of the greatest interest are the necropolises Beket-ata, Shopan-ata, Shakpak-ata, Seisem-ata, Masat-ata, Karaman-ata, Koshkar-ata, Sultan-epe, Khanga-baba, Kenty-baba, Ushtam, and Akshora. The largest necropolises also have mosques, erected by the Aday and Tabyn dynasties.  Not to be missed are the Karagiye hollow, the lowes point in all the CIS countries, and lake Saura in the Mangghystau mountains. In the Ustyurt State biosphere reserve you may come across such rare animals as the Ustyurt moufflon and goitered gazelle, the long-spined hedgehog, the marbled polecat. The two state zoological reserves Aqtau-Buzachi and Karagiye-Karakol are of equal interest.The Caspian Sea is unique not only for its biological riches. Plenty of sun, warmth, sandy shores, clean and curative waters make it a coveted tourism destination. To cite the famous German traveler, naturalist, scientiest and geographer Alexander von Humbold: "I am going to die if I don't see the Caspian Sea". At the age of 60 he made his dream come true. And just as he was captured by the bright lights, sunlit maritime sceneries and the magnificent sunsets, on the shores of the Caspian, on Mangghystau Peninsula, I too felt as though I had made a long held dream come true.  |
