Arqalyq

Arqalyq, city, north-central Kazakhstan. It is located about 75 miles (120 km) west of Lake Tengiz.

Settlement of the site began in 1956 in connection with the exploitation of the Turgay bauxite deposits, and it became a city in 1965. Arqalyq is linked to the rail line between Astana and Tobyl by a branch line from Yesil. In the late 20th century a major construction program was underway to provide the city with various urban amenities, but the city continued to suffer negligible living standards. Pop. (2009) 28,169; (2021 est.) 26,365.