Oral (Kazakh: Орал), Uralsk (Russian: Уральск) in Russian, formerly known as Yaitsk (Russian: Яицк, until 1775), is a city in northwestern Kazakhstan, at the confluence of the Ural and Chogan Rivers close to the Russian border. As it is located on the western side of the Ural river, it is considered geographically in Europe. It is the capital of the West Kazakhstan Province. Ethnic composition is dominated by Kazakhs (60%). Population: 221,855 (2009 Census results); 194,905 (1999 Census results).