Abstract
This article is an attempt to assess the natural and recreational potential of the West Kazakhstan region. This technique consists of different stages: assessment of the territory concerning the recreational potential, according to the physical and geographi cal conditions; determination of administrative districts (units) within each of the recreational development zones; inventory of specially protected natural areas.The main criterion for the quantitative assessment was the presence of specially protected natural areas, their number and occupied area. In the course of the study, the analysis of natural and recreational resources was carried out by zones of potential recreationa l development, and the highest priority zones of recreational development were identified.