Karamay is a prefecture-level city located in the northern part of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in the People's Republic of China. The city is geographically situated within the Tacheng Prefecture, which surrounds it on all sides.
The name Karamay originates from the Uyghur language and translates to "black oil." This designation refers to the significant oil fields located near the city, which serve as a primary characteristic of the region's identity and economy.