Astana is the modern and vibrant capital city of Kazakhstan. This city demonstrate amazing growth in the past two decades, with a population that grew from around 300,000 in 1990 to over one million in 2006.
The city's previous and historic name was Akmola or Akmolinsk. There was a period when the city was called Tselinograd to commemorate the Virgin Lands Campaign by Soviet authorities in the northern parts of Kazakhstan's Great Steppe.
The history of Akmola/Astana goes back to 1830, when local warlords approached the Russian government seeking protection from war raids and lootings by southern nomads. Then, a Russian stronghold was established in this area to control trade routes leading from south to north and east to west. Nevertheless, archaeological excavations demonstrate that there were settlements of people here long before that. Amazingly, ancient burial mounds are still found in the very center of the city, not far from the Bayterek Independence Monument.
Astana is a popular venue to hold various international political, economic and cultural events, as well as sport competitions. Because of well-developed accommodation and transport infrastructure, this city is visited by both business and leisure travelers who are attracted by its vibrancy, power and promising future.
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Flowers on the Baiterek Square
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Astana Views
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