| Janaozen / Zhanaozen Жаңаөзен |
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Janaozen / Zhanaozen
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| Coordinates: | |
| Country | Kazakhstan |
| Province | Mangystau Province |
| District | |
| Elevation | 561 ft (171 m) |
| Population (1999) | |
| • Total | 51,100 |
| Time zone | +5 (UTC+5) |
Janaozen or Zhanaozen (Kazakh: Жаңаөзен / Jañaözen), formerly known as Novy Uzen (Russian: Новый Узень, until 1992), is a town in the Mangystau Province of Kazakhstan located south-east of Aqtau city. The name of the town means "new river" in Kazakh. The population is 51,100 (1999 census). Zhanaozen is a town of Province significance[1]. It is completely surrounded by the territory of Karakiya District, but administratively does not belong to the district.[2]
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The town was founded in 1968 to serve the gas plant and oil and gas extraction.[1]
On 16 December 2011 police were accused of firing on oil workers from the Ozenmunaigas oil field, who had been protesting in the town's main square for six months regarding unpaid danger money.[3] Fifteen people (workers and police officers) were killed according to government officials, though opposition sources put the death toll in the dozens.[4] In disturbances that day local government offices, a hotel and an office of the state oil company were set on fire, according to General Prosecutor Askhat Daulbayev.[3] Eighty-six people were injured in the clashes - according to the authorities - and due to shortage of hospital beds in Zhanaozen, many were taken to be treated in Aktau, about 150km away.[4]
On 17 December, a state of emergency was declared, roads into Zhanaozen were blocked, and the local airport was closed for incoming flights. Mobile phone coverage was blocked, as were internet connections.[4]
Zhanaozen is located in the desert on Mangyshlak Peninsula.
The economy of Zhanaozen is mostly based on oil and gas extraction.
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