Aktau (Kazakh: Ақтау, Qazaq Latin Script: Aqtaw - White Mountain) was known as Shevchenko (Russian: Шевченко) from 1964 to 1991. Its current name means "white mountain" in Kazakh, which may be due to its cliffs that overlook the Caspian. Its former name was given due to the eponymous Ukrainian poet's period of exile in the area. It is the second largest city in western Kazakhstan and the country's main seaport on the Caspian Sea. It is located on the Mangyshlak Peninsula and is the capital of Mangystau Region.