Astana is the capital of the Republic of Kazakhstan. It differs significantly from other capitals and major cities in Central Asia with its extraordinary futuristic buildings. The population is over 1 million, making it the second largest city in Kazakhstan after Almaty.
It is located in the northern part of the country on the banks of the Ishim River. A completely new part of Astana with modern amazing architecture was built on its left bank. On the opposite bank there is the old part of the city with a calm atmosphere and the Soviet era’s buildings that cherishes the memory of the past.
The climate in the region is continental with hot summers and cold and long winters. In the summer months, temperatures can exceed 40 ° C, while in winter they can drop to -50 ° C.
The territory of modern Astana in ancient times was an important point for caravans on the Great Silk Road. Unique artefacts from the Bronze Age, the Iron Age and the Middle Ages were found in the city.
In the 19th century, the city of Akmolinsk was built in its place as a military fortification. During the Soviet years Akmolinsk was renamed Tselinograd. It has a great importance in providing the entire Soviet Union with grain crops.
In 1992 the city got a new name Akmola. Two years later, an important event took place in the history of the city: it was decided to move the capital from Almaty to Akmola. And so, on June 10, 1998, the city with the new name Astana was officially presented on the international arena as the new capital.
Until September 2022, the capital was renamed Nur-Sultan in honor of the first president of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev. On September 17, 2022, President Tokayev signed a decree on the reverse renaming of the capital to Astana.
Today the city is dotted with many attractions. Astana is growing and expanding every day. You can visit such cultural architectural sites as the Baiterek Tower, Khan Shatyr, Saken Seifullin Museum, Khazret Sultan Mosque, Peace and Reconciliation Palace, National Museum, Kazak Eli Monument and many others.
