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A distinctive feature of Mangystau is a significant number of underground mosques that have existed within the region since the X-XIII centuries. The purpose of the study is to analyze and assess the current state of underground mosques and the prospects for their use as objects for the development of tourism. The study was carried out as a result of the use of complex methods: dialectical, retrospective, systemic and logical analysis, as well as general scientific methods of comparison, analysis and synthesis. Underground mosques in Mangistau region play an important role in the development of tourism in Kazakhstan. The analysis shows that the objects carved into the rock are unique underground structures that differ in the peculiarity and history of their formation. The research results can be used in theoretical and methodological research on this topic. The research materials show that in the Mangistau region it is necessary to study the religious heritage using a rich resource base and develop new tour programs that will increase the region's tourism pportunities and the development of all types of religious tourism.

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Ge eo oJ Jo ou ur rn na al l o of f T To ou ur ri is sm m a an nd d G Ge eo os si it te es s Year X XI II I, vol. 24, no. 1

With the development of tourism it has been necessary modernization of ways on being attended by tourists. Comparatively new method of influencing to a customer is branding, has been the most significant process in terms of promotion, which identify features of exact territory in contribution of competitive activities for being attractive for tourists. The article is aimed to identify the existing and promising tourist brands of Western Kazakhstan. Since territorial branding is a key factor in the development of tourism industry, the authors conducted a survey among respondents from different regions of Kazakhstan to identify potential tourist brands, main associations, as well as challenges and opportunities for recreation and tourism. The research was carried out using the Google Forms platform and sociological survey. The research results prove that there are unofficial leading brands in the region, which are likely to become the region?s official tourist symbols. Besides, both favorable and unfavorable factors for recreation demonstrate the controversial development of tourism industry in the research area. Creation, development, and promotion of a tourist brand plays an important role in the tourism and recreation area. This contributes to strengthening the tourist destination image in the tourism market.

Ethnic tourism is an integral part of cultural and educational tourism. One of the priorities in ethnic tourism is the creation of ethnic theme parks (ethnic parks). Namely ethnic parks allow to learn about the traditions and culture of various ethnic groups directly by immersion to the environment. In developed countries, ethnic parks have become highly profitable activities in the tourism industry. This article discusses the potential for the development of ethnic tourism and creation of ethnic parks in Kazakhstan. The main directions and problems of the development of this field of activity are revealed. Current state of ethnocultural centers of the Republic of Kazakhstan is analyzed. In particular, examples from foreign practice are given. Recommendations are given on factors restraining the development of ethnic tourism and the creation of ethnic parks in Kazakhstan, a model for the development of national cultural tourism is proposed.

The study of the transformation of natural complexes in areas with a developed infrastructure for oil subsurface use is a prerequisite condition for solving the environmental problems of oil-producing regions. Located in the territory of the Atyrau Region in Western Kazakhstan, the Tengiz oil field is one of the largest oil fields in the world. The field has been under intensive development for more than 40 years and is characterised by a large volume of anthropogenic load, which contributes to a significant transformation of the landscape complex. The purpose of this study is to investigate the dynamics of landscape changes in the territory of the Tengiz field and to assess its ecological condition. Based on the materials from many years of research, the features of the Tengiz field and the main technogenic sources affecting the landscape complex were identified. Several quantitative indicators characterising the anthropogenic load were calculated based on satellite images. On the basis of Landsat – 5 TM, 7 ETM+ and 8 OLI and Sentinel-2A (S2A) data, the vegetation index of land cover was calculated using normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI), demonstrating the dynamics of landscape changes in the period from 1990 to 2020. The obtained results show that the areas of some landscape components continue to deteriorate. For example, the area of open soil in 2020 decreased due to the withdrawal of these areas for industrial facilities, which increased by 2.2 times by 2020 due to intensive field development. This study demonstrates the importance of monitoring and studying desert landscape complexes under active anthropogenic impact to ensure the sustainable development of territories.

The rapid pace of urban development triggers complex problems mostly related to urban environment pollution, and shortcomings of city’s improvement. The modern city is characterized by the highest man-made pressure on the natural environment, the main problems being overcrowding, lack of open-access green areas, as well as the decrease of vegetation areas, fact that does not create comfortable living conditions for urban residents. At present, remote sensing methods are some of the priority tools used in vegetation state assessment, particularly, the calculation of vegetation index (NDVI). But often, obtaining the necessary information is limited only to the analysis of satellite data, without geobotanical field surveys, which considerably increase the reliability of the detected results. In addition, the definition of dependencies when using an integrated approach of different man-affected surfaces with a different type of overgrowth within the city remains insufficiently studied. The purpose of this study is to assess the ecological condition of the green area (parks and squares) in Aktobe city. A comprehensive processing of satellite images including the calculation of NDVI index, mapping of green areas and data statistical analysis, was carried out. We learned that the average value of NDVI for green spaces in Aktobe ranges from 0,11 µm to 0,47 µm, which allows for the categorization of planted areas by levels of photosynthetic activity, from “unsatisfactory” to “good”, yet, with 59% of them in an unsatisfactory condition. This means that the city is underdeveloped in terms of modern landscape and infrastructure. The obtained results make it possible to assess the current situation, determine the dynamics of urban green spaces and optimize spatial planning measures for green space management.