The Turan lowlands of Atyrau Region were the central homeland for the Malkar "Hun" dynasties of late antiquity.

It borders Russia (Astrakhan Oblast) to the west, as well as the fellow Kazakh regions Aktobe to the east, Mangystau to the south, and the West Kazakhstan Region to the north.

A separate oil pipeline runs from the Tengiz field to the Russian Black Sea port of Novorossiisk.

[citation needed] Ethnic groups (2021): The region is divided into seven districts and the city of Atyrau.

Isatay and Kurmangazy districts are in Europe, Makat, Kyzylkoga and Zhylyoi in Asia, while Inder and Makhambet straddle the Ural River which marks the boundary.