Astana

Astana (Kazakh/Russian: Астана) is the capital and second largest city in Kazakhstan. Located 347 m (1,138 ft) above sea level, it covers 722 sq km (279 sq mi) and has a population of 709,000 people (2012 estimate).

Astana was known as Акмолинск (Akmolinsk) until 1961, when it was renamed Целиноград (Tselinograd). Then in 1992 it was renamed to Ақмола (Aqmola). The name was used until 1998, when it was renamed once again, to Astana. There was yet another attempt to renamed the city, in 2008, to Nursultan, but this time the proposal was rejected.

Astana was founded as a fortress for a unit of the Siberian cossacks in 1824. During the Soviet era it hosted a number of labor camps housing hundreds of thousands of internees. There were many Russian Germans who were deported here by Joseph Stalin at the beginning of World War II for fear that they may be sympathetic to Nazi Germany.


Panoramic view of Astana with the Ak Orda Presidential Palace and Kazakhstan Central Concert Hall



Ak Orda Presidential Palace, Astana, Kazakhstan



View of downtown Astana with Bayterek Tower in the center


After Kazakhstan gained its independence, the government decided to move the capital from Almaty for a number of reasons, among them, Almaty is located in an area prone to earthquake. It also does not have room for further expansion, and also it was too close to international borders. In comparison, Astana is located nearer the center of the country.

The relocation of the capital to Astana saw one of the biggest construction projects in the world, as the government of Kazakhstan put up new civic buildings and government offices as well as mosques, parks, monuments and concert halls, most of which paid for by money earned from petroleum. As such, Astana has some of the most modern buildings in Central Asia.


Keruen Mall, Astana

Visiting Astana

The Astana International Airport (TSE) receives direct flights from major cities including Amsterdam, Bangkok, Beijing, Dubai, Frankfurt, Istanbul, London, Moscow and Seoul, among others.

Sights & Attractions to visit in Astana

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