Astana Астана |
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Capital city | |||
From top to bottom, left to right: Khan Shatyr Entertainment Center; KazMunayGas Headquarters; Panoramic view of Bayterek Tower; Nur-Astana Mosque; Palace of Peace and Reconciliation; Ak-Orda Presidential Palace; Astana Opera.
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The location of Astana in Kazakhstan | |||
Coordinates: 51°10′N 71°26′E / 51.167°N 71.433°ECoordinates: 51°10′N 71°26′E / 51.167°N 71.433°E | |||
Country | Kazakhstan | ||
Established | in 1830 as Akmoly | ||
Renamed | in 1832 to Akmolinsk | ||
Renamed | in 1961 to Tselinograd | ||
Renamed | in 1992 to Akmola | ||
Renamed | in 1998 to Astana | ||
Government | |||
• Type | Mayor–Council | ||
• Body | City Council of Astana | ||
• Mayor | Asset Issekeshev | ||
Area | |||
• Total | 710.2 km2 (274.2 sq mi) | ||
Elevation | 347 m (1,138 ft) | ||
Population (22 June 2015) | |||
• Total | 860,368 | ||
• Density | 1,081.5/km2 (2,801/sq mi) | ||
Time zone | ALMT (UTC+6) | ||
Postal code | 010000–010015 | ||
Area code(s) | +7 7172 | ||
ISO 3166-2 | AST | ||
License plate | 01, Z | ||
Website | www |
Astana (/əsˈtɑːnə/,US /æsˈtɑːnə/;Kazakh: Астана [astaˈna], Russian: Астана) is the capital of Kazakhstan. It is located on the Ishim River in the north portion of Kazakhstan, within the Akmola Region, though administrated separately from the region as a city with special status. The 2014 census reported a population of 835,153 within the city limits, making it the second largest city in Kazakhstan.
Founded in 1830 as a settlement of Akmoly (Kazakh: Ақмолы) or Akmolinsky prikaz (Russian: Акмолинский приказ), it served as a defensive fortification for the Siberian Cossacks. In 1832 the settlement was granted a town status and renamed Akmolinsk (Russian: Акмолинск). On March 20, 1961 the city was renamed Tselinograd (Russian: Целиноград) to mark the city's evolution as a cultural and administrative center of the Virgin Lands Campaign. In 1992 it was renamed Akmola (Kazakh: Ақмола), the modified original name meaning "a white grave". On December 10, 1997 Akmola replaced Almaty as the capital of Kazakhstan. On May 6, 1998 it was renamed Astana, which means "the capital" in Kazakh.