What is the Capital of Kazakhstan?
Kazakhstan, a vast country in Central Asia, is one of the largest landlocked nations in the world. The country gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. In the following article, we will learn about what is the captal of Kazakhstan, its former capitals, and much more.
Kazakhstan Capital – Astana
Astana is the capital city of Kazakhstan. It became the capital officially in 1997. It started as a small town in the late 1800s. But after becoming the capital, it grew fast. In 2019, they changed the name to Nur-Sultan to honor Nursultan Nazarbayev, the first President of Kazakhstan who helped a lot in building up the city. President Tokayev agreed to restore the country’s former name after a drive by a group of MPs, just three years after renaming it.
Astana as the capital, has a Presidential Palace, Offices, and the Parliament of Kazakhstan. The city hosts many big international events, meetings, and conferences too. Because it’s the capital and in a good spot, Astana has become a big transportation hub in Central Asia.
Where is Astana?
Astana, formerly known as Nur-Sultan until 2022 (from 2019 to Sep 2022), is situated in the northern region of Kazakhstan. It is positioned on the banks of the Ishim River within the Akmola Region, which is one of the country’s administrative divisions. Astana is found in the big open grasslands of Eurasia, known as the steppe and the weather there is hot in the summer and cold in the winter. Geographically it lies at 51° 10′ north latitude and 71° 26′ east longitude.
Interesting Facts about Astana
- The Khan Shatyr Entertainment Center in Astana is famous for being the world’s largest tent. It’s big, covering an area of 140,000 square meters with a shopping mall, an indoor beach, and an amusement park inside.
- In the winter, Astana becomes an “Ice City.” They make ice sculptures and set them up all over the city. People come to see the amazing ice artwork at the annual Ice Sculpture Festival.
- Astana is working on a big project to build an artificial forest in the city. They want to plant millions of trees to help with the tough weather and make the city greener and nicer.
- The Astana Opera House is a famous place for culture. It has beautiful architecture and amazing shows. They put on opera, ballet, and classical music concerts attracting audiences from Kazakhstan and beyond.
- Apart from its modern buildings, Astana has special places that show Kazakhstan’s history and culture. These include the Hazret Sultan Mosque, the Palace of Independence, and the Kazakh Eli Monument.
- Famous architect Norman Foster designed the Bayterek Tower, Khan Shatyr Entertainment Center, and the Palace of Peace and Reconciliation, showcasing the city’s skyline and modern architecture.
Former Capitals of Kazakhstan
Kyzylorda served as the capital of the Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic during World War II but was a temporary arrangement and not recognized as the capital of independent Kazakhstan. Two cities have served as capitals of Kazakhstan since independence:
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Almaty
Almaty served as the capital city during the Soviet era and even for a few years after Kazakhstan gained independence in 1991 and remained the capital city until 1997.
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Astana
The decision to move the capital to Astana came in 1997. The reasons for the shift were varied, including a desire for a more central location and the opportunity to develop a new, planned capital city.
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