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Astana Астана
Bayterek
Flag
Astana Location in Kazakhstan
Coordinates: 51°10′0″N 71°26′0″E / 51.166667°N 71.433333°E / 51.166667; 71.433333
Country	Kazakhstan
Province
Founded	1830
Government
- Akim (mayor)	Imangali Tasmagambetov
Area
- Total	258.41 km2 (99.8 sq mi)
Elevation	347 m (1,138 ft)
Population (1 Jan 2009)
- Total	802,980
- Density	841/km2 (2,178.2/sq mi)
Time zone	BTT (UTC+6)
Postal code	010000 - 010015
Area code(s)	+7 7172[1]
ISO 3166-2	AST
License plate	Z
Website	http://www.astana.kz

Astana (Kazakh: Астана / Astana / استانا), formerly known as Akmola (Kazakh: Ақмола / Aqmola, until 1998), Tselinograd (Russian: Целиноград, until 1992) and Akmolinsk (Russian: Акмолинск, until 1961), is the capital and second largest city (after Almaty) of Kazakhstan, with an officially estimated population of 750,700 as of November 2008. ^[2] It is located in the north-central portion of Kazakhstan, within Akmola Province, though politically separate from the rest of the province.

The current mayor of Astana is Imangali Tasmagambetov. He was appointed on April 4, 2008.

Etymology

The word Astana in Kazakh literally means Capital but the word itself originates from Persian (Astana, from the verb Istadan (آستان), to stand (in respect)), and literally means "threshold"--royal or sacred, (where people stand in respect or awe), implying where the court is seated (the capital city) or the body of a sacred person in interred (a shrine town). The city of Turkistan in Kazakhstan that host the body of the saint Ahmad Yasavi is also called the "astana" as is the city of Mashhad in Iran that is the burial place of the 8th Shiite Imam Reza. In fact, long before becoming the new capital of Kazakhstan, was "an astana," namely, a burial ground of a saint, whence the old name of the city, Ak Mola (Ақмола), "white mausoleum".

In June 2008, a parliamentary proposal was put forward to change the city's name to "Nursultan", in honor of President Nursultan Nazarbayev. The idea was rejected by Nazarbayev himself, who said the decision of renaming the city will be for future generations.^[3]

History

Russian and Soviet eras

A unit of Siberian cossacks from Omsk founded a huge fortress on the upper Ishim in 1824, which later became the town of "Akmolinsk". During the early 20th Century, the town became a major railway junction, causing a major economic boom that lasted until the Russian Civil War.

The Gulag once spread over the Kazakhstan steppe like a thick wreath. Eleven camps housed hundreds of thousands of prisoners and their families. Outside Astana, there once stood the ALZHIR camp, a Russian acronym for the Akmolinskii Camp for Wives of Traitors of the Motherland, one of the most notorious in the Gulag archipelago, which was reserved for the wives of men considered "enemies of the people" by the government under Joseph Stalin.^[4]

In 1961, it was renamed "Tselinograd" and made capital of the Soviet Virgin Lands Territory (Tselinny Krai). The city was at the centre of the Virgin Lands Campaign led by Nikita Khrushchev in the 1950s, in order to turn the state into a second grain producer for the Soviet Union. The high portion of Russian immigrants in this area, which later led to ethnic tension, can be traced to the influx of agricultural workers at this time. Additionally, many Russian-Germans were resettled here after being deported under Joseph Stalin at the beginning of World War II, when Nazi Germany invaded the Soviet Union.

Independent Kazakhstan

After Kazakhstan gained its independence in 1991, the city and the region were renamed "Aqmola". The name was often translated as "White Tomb", but actually means "Holy Place" or "Holy Shrine". The "White Tomb" literal translation was too appropriate for many visitors to escape notice in almost all guide books and travel accounts.

In 1994, the city was designated as the future capital of the newly-independent country, and again renamed to the present "Astana" after the capital was officially moved from Almaty in 1998^[5]. Government officials cited several problems with keeping the capital in Almaty, such as the city's risk of seismic activity, insufficient room for expansion, and proximity to international borders.^[6] Additionally, parts of northern Kazakhstan are populated primarily by ethnic Russians, which raised fears of possible irredentist activity. Moving the capital to this area may have been an attempt to anchor it more closely with the rest of the country.^[6]

To some Kazakhs, the move remains controversial. Critics cite the city's isolated location in the center of the Kazakh steppe and the forbidding climate in winter.^[7] Financially, some resent the massive expenditure of public funds to build the new government complexes, as well as the continuing cost of airfare and hotel expenses for the many government workers who still live in Almaty.^[8]

Population/Demographics

New Parliament buildings

By 2007, Astana's population has more than doubled since the move, to over 600,000, and it is estimated to top 1 million by 2030. Migrant workers – legal and illegal – have been attracted from across Kazakhstan and neighboring states such as Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan, and Astana is a magnet for young professionals seeking to build a career. This has changed the city's demographics, bringing more ethnic Kazakhs to a city that formerly had a Slav majority. Astana's ethnic Kazakh population has risen to some 60%, up from 17% in 1989.^[9]

In 1999, Astana had a population of 281,000. The ethnic mix was about 30% Kazakh and 70% Russian, Ukrainian and German.^[10]

Many argue that a drive to attract ethnic Kazakhs northward was the key factor in shifting the capital, which was officially put down to lack of space for expansion in the former capital, Almaty, and its location in an earthquake zone. ^[9]

According to preliminary figures, Astana had 700,000 inhabitants in late 2007.^[11]

According to the 1999 Census, 40.5% of the population is Russian, 5.7% Ukrainian, 3.0% German, 2.6% Tatar, 1.8% Belorussian and 0.8% Polish. But at 41.8%, Kazakhs outnumbered Russians and were forming the largest ethnic group, while Ingush and Korean each accounted for 0.6%. Others, mostly Uzbeks, accounted for 3.8%. [2]

Geography and climate

Astana lies within Kazakhstan, which is the largest landlocked country in the world.

Location

Astana is located in central Kazakhstan on the Ishim River in a very flat, semi-desert steppe region which covers most of the country's territory. The elevation of Astana is at 347 metres (1,138 ft) above sea level. Astana is in a spacious steppe landscape, in the transient area between the north of Kazakhstan and the extremely thinly settled national center, because of the river Ishim. The older boroughs lie north of the river, whilst the new boroughs are located south of the Ishim.

Climate

Climatically Astana is the second coldest capital in the world (behind Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia), with temperatures of −35 °C (−31 °F) to −40 °C (−40 °F) common in the early winter. The new city is also known to regularly freeze for around six months every year. Overall, Astana has a cold semi-arid climate, with exceptionally cold winters and warm summers.

The average annual temperature in Astana is 3 degree Celsius. January is the coldest month with an average temperature of −15 °C (5 °F). July is the hottest month with an average temperature of 21 °C (70 °F).

Astana from space

Night Frost in Astana in January 2006

Economy

Politics and government are the main economic activity in the capital, which also forms a Special Economic Zone. Since the move, Astana has seen one of the world's greatest building projects, as oil money has been spent on government buildings, a massive home for the president, a mosque, and numerous parks and monuments. The project is designed to not just make the town the centre of Kazakhstan, but of all Central Asia.

Cityscape

Town planning

Astana can be divided largely into a few different areas. North of the railway line, which crosses Astana in an east-west direction, are industrial and poorer residential areas. Between the railway line and the river Ishim is the city center, where at present intense building activity is occurring. To the west and east are more elevated residential areas with parks and the new area of government administration to the south of the Ishim. Here many large building projects are underway; for example, the construction of a diplomat quarter, and a variety of different government buildings. By 2030, these quarters are to be completed. The original plans for the new Astana were drawn up by the late Japanese architect Kisho Kurokawa. Astana's current chief planner, Vladimir Laptev, wants to build a Berlin in a Eurasian style. He has stated that a purely administrative capital such as Canberra is not one of his goals.

Architecture

The old buildings that remained from the Soviet era are now being removed and replaced with totally new structures resulting in significant construction work throughout the city. President Nazarbayev pays a particular attention to Astana's architecture: most of recently completed structures had been accredited to internationally acclaimed architects and designers such as Kisho Kurokawa or Norman Foster.

Bayterek

Bayterek is the most famous landmark in Astana. The legend behind this tower as a symbol is that it represents a poplar tree, where the magic bird Samuruk laid its egg. In the sphere on the top of Bayterek there is an imprint of president Nursultan Nazarbayev's hand.

New buildings

Palace of Peace and Reconciliation (Pyramid of Peace)

Palace of Peace and Reconciliation (Pyramid of Peace)

The Pyramid under different light colors at night

The pyramid has been conceived and designed by architect Sir Norman Foster and inaugurated in September 2006. It contains accommodations for different religions: Judaism, Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism and other faiths. It also houses a 1,500- seat opera house, a national museum of culture, a new “university of civilization”, a library and a research center for Kazakhstan’s ethnic and geographical groups. This diversity is unified within the pure form of a pyramid, 62 meters high with a 62 x 62-meter base. The building is conceived as a global center for religious understanding, the renunciation of violence and the promotion of faith and human equality. The Pyramid of Peace expresses the spirit of Kazakhstan, where cultures, traditions and representatives of various nationalities coexist in piece, harmony and accord. Bathed in the golden and pale blue glow of the glass (colors taken from the Kazakhstan flag), 200 delegates from the world’s main religions and faiths will meet every three years in a circular chamber — based on the United Nations Security Council meeting room in New York. ; Height: 77 m (252.62 ft), total area: 25,500 sq.m.; Accommodates: Opera Hall for 1,500 seats, The Museum of National History, The Research Center of World Religions, Library of Spiritual Religious Literature, Exhibition and conference rooms ^[12]

The Islamic Center

The Islamic Center was built in 2005 and was sponsored by the Emir of Qatar. It consists of a mosque, madrasah, and a library. The mosque has 4 minarets, 63 meters each, and has a capacity of 5,000 people. The height of the mosque's dome is 43 meters.^[13]

Ak Orda Presidential Palace

Ak Orda Presidential Palace

Ak Orda ( in Kazakh literally means "the white horde") is the official workplace of the President of Kazakhstan. Ak Orda Presidential Palace was built in 2004 of monolithic concrete as a five story building. The lining was performed using 20–40 cm thick Italian marble. The height of the building is 80 meters and the total area is 36,720 square meters. Ak Orda includes yurt-like hall designed of marble and granite, a marble hall for summits and official visits by foreign-country representatives, and a golden hall for negotiations and private discussions between the head of the state and the leaders of other countries.

Khan Shatyry

In December 2006, Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev unveiled plans to build Khan Shatyry, a "giant, transparent tent", over an area of the city. The tent will be 150 metres high, and was designed by British architect Norman Foster.^[14] It is expected to take around a year to build.^[15] Foster has also designed two other buildings in the city.

Sightseeing

In the centre of town, the Avenue of the Republic acts as the main hub of activity. It is bordered by many stores, coffee houses, restaurants, night clubs and some casinos. Worth a visit are the:

• Modern governmental quarter
• Ishim River waterfront
• "Oceanarium"
• Astana Central National Mosque
• Islamic Center
• Roman Catholic Cathedral
• Market hall
• Bayterek Tower

Museums

• Presidential center of culture
• Kabanbay Batyr mausoleum
• Ethic memorial complex “Map of Kazakhstan “Atameken””
• The S.Seifullin Museum
• Museum of the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan

Theatres

• The Gorky Russian Drama Theatre
• The K.Kuanyshbaev Kazakh Theatre
• The K.Bajseitova National Opera and Ballet Theatre

Monuments

• Monument Otan Korgaushylar
• Memorial to the victims of political repressions
• Memorial to Kazakhstan People Perished in Afghan War
• Central Square with fountain and sculpture composition
• Monument to Kenesary Khan

Architectural monuments

• Church of Constantine and Yelena
• 19th Century buildings
• Green Mosque Fence

Sport

Astana Arena

Alexandr Koreshkov, HC Barys vs HC Dinamo Moscow match

Astana is home to FC Astana, a football (soccer) team in the Kazakhstan Premier League, which won the national championship in 2000, 2001 and 2006. The city is also home to the Astana Tigers basketball team who successfully took the 2004/2005 season title, as well as Barys Astana of the Kontinental Hockey League. In addition, Astana is a professional cycling team that competes on the UCI ProTour. They participated in the 2007 Tour de France wearing blue national uniforms, but were excluded during the race after the conviction of Alexander Vinokourov for illegal doping practises, and was banned from the 2008 race.^[16] Astana returned to the Tour de France in 2009 and won the overall Team Classification, with Contador and Armstrong finishing first and third respectively.

It's decided to build an indoor bandyarena and form a bandy team by the name of Dynamo-Astana^[17]

Transport

Astana International Airport

Astana International Airport was, like the plan for the whole new city, designed by the late Japanese architect Kisho Kurokawa. The Astana Metro is a planned underground construction in Astana.

Astana Train Station is an important hub for northern Kazakhstan, served by trains to most major cities in Kazakhstan, including Talgo expresses to Almaty. International trains leave for Russia, Ukraine, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan, most of them with a once a week frequency. Since the summer of 2008, the schedule systems show also a direct weekly train to Urumqi (in China's Xinjiang).^[18]

International relations

Twin towns — Sister cities

Astana is twinned with:

See also

• List of renamed cities in Kazakhstan

References

Bibliography

• Schatz, Edward. Modern Clan Politics: The Power of "Blood" in Kazakhstan and Beyond. Seattle: University of Washington Press. 2004.

Notes

External links

• City of Astana Official website
• Astana Haber Astana&Kazakhstan daily news in Turkish
• Astana International Airport (official site)
• Astana Research Project (German)
• Travel to Astana
• City map for GPS
• AstanA view: photo from Central Asia
• about astana

Coordinates: 51°10′51″N 71°27′40″E / 51.1807°N 71.461°E / 51.1807; 71.461

Links to related articles Provinces of Kazakhstan Provinces Akmola  · Aktobe  · Almaty  · Atyrau  · East Kazakhstan  · Karagandy · Kostanay  · Kyzylorda  · Jambyl  · Mangystau  · North Kazakhstan  · Pavlodar  · South Kazakhstan  · West Kazakhstan Metropolitan cities Almaty · Astana · Baikonur Capitals of Asia West and Southwest Asia Central Asia East Asia Yerevan, Armenia ‡ Baku, Azerbaijan † Manama, Bahrain Nicosia, Cyprus ‡ Tbilisi, Georgia † Ankara, Turkey † Tehran, Iran Baghdad, Iraq Jerusalem, Israel 6‡ Jerusalem, Palestine 6‡ Amman, Jordan Kuwait City, Kuwait Beirut, Lebanon Muscat, Oman Doha, Qatar Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Damascus, Syria Abu Dhabi, UAE Sana'a, Yemen Astana, Kazakhstan † Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan Dushanbe, Tajikistan Ashgabat, Turkmenistan Tashkent, Uzbekistan South Asia Kabul, Afghanistan 1 Dhaka, Bangladesh Thimphu, Bhutan New Delhi, India Malé, Maldives Kathmandu, Nepal Islamabad, Pakistan Kotte3, Sri Lanka Beijing, People's Republic of China (PRC) Tokyo, Japan Pyongyang, North Korea Seoul, South Korea Ulan Bator, Mongolia 1 Taipei, Republic of China (ROC) 2 Southeast Asia Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Naypyidaw, Burma Phnom Penh, Cambodia Dili, East Timor Jakarta, Indonesia Vientiane, Laos Kuala Lumpur 4, Putrajaya 5, Malaysia Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea₮ Manila, Philippines Singapore, Singapore Bangkok, Thailand Hanoi, Vietnam 1 Often considered part of Central Asia.  2 Otherwise known as Taiwan. 3 Full name is Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte.  4 Formal.  5 Administrative.  6 See Positions on Jerusalem for details on Jerusalem's status.  † Transcontinental country.  ‡ Entirely in Southwest Asia but having socio-political connections with Europe.₮ Entirely in Melanesia but having socio-political connections with Southeast Asia.

From Wikitravel

Main square, Astana

Astana (formerly Aqmola and Tselinograd), in the north of Kazakhstan, is the second largest city in the country. It took over the role of capital city from Almaty (the largest city) in December 1998. Now, it is undergoing a transformation costing billions of dollars, where top international architects assist in trying to make Astana a worthy capital - not only of Kazakhstan but of all Central Asia.

Get in

By plane

Astana International Airport[1] (IATA: TSE ICAO: UACC) is about 15 kilometers south of central Astana. It serves Kiev, Moscow, Beijing, Delhi, Seoul, Bangkok, Istanbul, Dubai, London, Amsterdam, Hannover and Frankfurt, as well as several domestic destinations. Air Astana[2], the flag carrier of Kazakhstan, flies to Almaty, Delhi, Dubai, Frankfurt, Hanover, Istanbul-Atatürk, Moscow-Sheremetyevo, and Urumqi from Astana Airport.

Bus 10 connects the airport and the city centre twice hourly, price is 60 KZT. A taxi from the airport to the city centre is about USD20.

Get around

There are plenty of taxis around: expect to pay between KZT300 and 1000 for a trip within the city.

• Baiterek Tower is one example of the futuristic architecture in the newborn city. Nicknamed "Chupa Chups" by the locals due to its similarity to a giant lollipop, this 97 meter high building offers a great view of the city as well as an art gallery, an aquarium and a restaurant. In the center of the top sphere, the ever so humble President Nazarbayev has made a golden palm print where visitors may put their own hands.

• Khan Shatyry[3] is a giant transparent tent currently under construction. The 150m-high tent has a 200m elliptical base covering an area larger than 10 football stadiums, and will contain a park, a shopping and entertainment area with squares and cobbled streets, a boating river, minigolf and an indoor beach resort. While Astana is one of the world's coldest capitals with temperatures down to -40°C in the cold season, the transparent material will let sunshine in and help to keep temperatures comfortable all year.

• The President's Museum of Kazakhstan, Barayev 3, is built like a yurt with a dome resembling a mosque. It contains exhibitions about the history of the country. The main attraction is a replica of the Golden Man costume, a warrior's suit that was found in a tomb east of Almaty. It contains of more than 4000 gold pieces, and the original was considered too fragile to be put on display (it is now kept safe in the national bank).

• Atameken Map of Kazakhstan is an outdoor museum giving you an overview of the entire country in a miniature version. This 1.7-hectare exhibit features more than 200 mock-up pieces, creating Kazakh cities and historical memorials. During the summer months at least, there are normally English speaking guides available (optional obviously), should you wish to learn a little about the models, and there is a covered section which focuses on the newer constructions within the city of Astana itself. Taking photos sometimes requires an extra payment to be made - you may want to keep cameras in your bag until you pass out of sight of the front ticket office.

• Palace of Peace and Reconciliation The pyramid portion of the building is 62 m high which sits on a 15 m high earth covered block. All of this construction is above ground level. Though the landscaping of the park rises up to cover the lower levels, these are not in fact basements.This building offers a great view of the city as well as two art gallery, a arceologic and ethnografic museum, opera hall, and a cafe.

*Duman is an entertainment complex consisting of an oceanarium, 4D theatre, dome area, souvenir shops and cafes. The aquarium is unique for being located over 3,000 km away from the ocean! It has more than 2,000 of sea inhabitants, the representatives of 100 species of sea fauna from different parts of the world. You can also see "Mermaid" and "Feeding of sharks" shows at the aquarium. In the Motion Theatre you can make an underwater trip under the command of captain Mac-Cloud during the World War II, to overcome the traps while rescuing the gorgeous princess, confined in the dungeon, go on a tour to the past to dinosaur age, escorted by a troll and etc. The dome area contains symbols from all over the world like statue of liberty, the fragment of the great Chinese wall, the "Doriphor" statue, parphenon and others. Attraction web site: http://www.duman.kz/

Mobile Phone Provider

There are three mobile phone provider: Beeline, Neo and Kcell. Beeline and Neo offer mobile web.

Do

Nightlife

There are two discos (night clubs) that are frequently referenced by locals: Chocolate [4] and Ice. Chocolate is in the same building as the SAS Radisson hotel, but may only be open on selected days (I tried it on a Thursday night and it was closed). "Ice" (centrally located - ask locals for the address) has a nice atmosphere and is on two floors with a large dance area. Prices are towards the high end, no entrance fee on Thursday night.

Buy

With China relatively close, you can find many electronic gadgets in the shops, just remember that returns policies are not as customer-friendly as in the West.

• Beshbarmak - a horse meat and pasta dish. Most restaurants that serve it will present a portion enough for two or three people
• Boursaky - bread best served piping hot. A little like an unsweetened doughnut
• Shashliq - unless you have a sturdy stomach, best to avoid unknown street vendors, but these kebabs are often cheap, and a good 'safe bet' if you recognise little else on the menu

• Kumis - different varities are available of this mare's milk, some are a little salty. Slightly fermented.
• Vodka - supermarkets stock a huge variety, ranging from $2 bottles that will strip your throat to $115 bottles that are more for giving as a present or showing off your wealth. Shots tend to be drunk, rather than utilising mixers - don't feel obliged to down each and every one if at a celebration.
• Cognac - what we would refer to as brandy, again a wide range in the shops and restaurants. Same rules apply re. shots - with all the toasts made at parties and other gatherings, you may want to pace yourself.

• Cafe Shimkent - If you want a greasy spoon style meal, with cheap prices, and a mixture of makes in the car park, rather than 4x4s, Hummers and Mercedes, head over here. Found hidden near Cinema City, just off Prospekt Respublik

Sleep

Okan InterContinental Astana, 113 Abaya Avenue +7 (7172) 391-000, [5]. The first luxury hotel in Astana, the service is very good and the room quality is consistent. Singles/doubles from KZT 46000. A very good breakfast bar is included, and there are is a popular Italian restaurant (Pucchini's) and an eastern-style (Turkish) restaurant, as well as a pub on the mezzanine floor. Expensive (but fast, reliable) wireless internet, and a nicely equipped business center. A nice range of conference facilities. Unfortunately, the once nicely equipped gym (pool, exercise room/equipment, saunas) is closed through the end of 2007 for a full renovation. Located in the old area of town, within walking distance from many restaurants, it is a long way from the government buildings on the other side of the river now that the government has moved.

Rixos Presidents Hotel Astana. Make no mistake about it, this is the most luxurious hotel in Astana. For starters, standard rooms come with heated tiled floors in the bathroom, step in showers and jaccuzi tubs, LCD wide-screen television, and free wireless internet (although it is not very consistent). The service is friendly and professional. There is a bar, a cafe, and two restaurants, and the best conference facilities in Astana. The spa has the best exercise equipment in Astana, and the pool is lovely. It is in walking distance to the ministries and the better restaurants, and the breakfast buffet is more than fantastic (they've been known to put out caviar!) complete with a harpist. The main drawback? So many VIPs prefer to stay in this hotel (visiting presidents, prime ministers, and other big-wigs) that you often have to fight security to get in and out! Rooms start around $350/night.

Radisson SAS Hotel Astana, Sary Arka 4, +7 (7172) 99 0000, [6]. New hotel, just north of Ishim river with 180 rooms. Singles/doubles at USD 480 including breakfast, access to fitess center but excluding current VAT. Rooms are modern design, with flat-screen TV and free internet. Wifi in the rooms can be dodgy, but there is a cable alternative, and wifi works fine in the lobby/lounge. Hotel has a reliable Italian restaurant, and a sports club/spa.

• http://mainmaps.com/asia/kz/astana/
• http://1kz.biz/maps/astana/
• http://www.astana.dan.kz/mod/asta.php

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Wikipedia has an article on:

Astana

Wikipedia

English

Proper noun

Astana

1. The capital of Kazakhstan.

Translations

Synonyms

former names

• Akmola
• Akmolinsk
• Tselinograd
• Aqmola

Estonian

Proper noun

Astana

1. Astana