Zhanaozen, formerly known as Novy Uzen, is a city of regional significance located in the Mangystau Region of southwestern Kazakhstan. Situated southeast of the city of Aktau, the name Zhanaozen translates to "new river" in Kazakh. While the city is entirely surrounded by the territory of Karakiya District, it remains administratively independent from that district.
The population of Zhanaozen has seen significant growth over recent decades. According to census data, the population was 63,337 in 1999 and rose to 113,014 by 2009, reaching a population of 147,962 in 2018.