Astana, Kazakhstan
Astana
(us-tuh NUH) is the capital of Kazakhstan.
The name of the city is translated from Kazakh as ‘the capital city’. It became
capital in September of 1995. The population of the city is 350 thousand
people.
Like many cities in Kazakhstan, Astana changed its name
several times. In the 1800s it was called Akmola, according to the most popular
version it means ‘a white tomb’. The name was given by the Russians who founded
a fortress with this name. By 1870s Akmola was a place where merchants from Russia, China
and central Asia came to trade cattle and
agricultural products. It is worth mentioning that the city is located on the
legendary Silk Road.
After the Great October Socialist Revolution and establishment of
the Soviet power the name was russified and Akmola became Akmolinsk. In 1961
Khrushchev insisted on changing its name to Tselinograd
(the city of virgin lands) because at that time a lot of young people according
to the plans of the Communist Party were sent to Northern Kazakhstan to explore
the rich steppes of Kazakhstan
to increase production of wheat in the Soviet Union.
In 1992 after Kazakhstan
became independent, the city regained its original name Akmola, and in 1998 it
received its new name Astana. The government, especially the president are
trying to make Astana a true capital of the huge country. Their efforts
sometimes lead to a lot of waste. The climate is very harsh; the humidity is
high because of the underground waters. Therefore, special materials are
needed, but it is not always considered.
Astana is still remaining just a political center of the country.
It will probably take a while before it becomes a major tourist attraction.
However, the potential of the former capital Almaty was almost exhausted (the
valley where it is situated is too small to accommodate the growing population
and business community) and transferring the capital to Astana was quite
reasonable.
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