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Astana, Kazakhstan

Astana
Астана
Capital City
Bayterek.jpg
Astana Architecture 02.jpg Astana, capital of Kazakhstan 02.jpg
Astana Architecture 01.jpg Astana, capital of Kazakhstan 04.jpg
Nazarbayev University.JPG L.N.Gumilyov Eurasian National University.JPG
Flag of Astana
Flag
Coat of arms of Astana
Coat of arms
Astana is located in Kazakhstan
Astana
Astana
The location of Astana in Kazakhstan
Coordinates: 51°10′N 71°26′E / 51.167°N 71.433°E / 51.167; 71.433Coordinates: 51°10′N 71°26′E / 51.167°N 71.433°E / 51.167; 71.433
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 astana.gov.kz

Astana (/əsˈtɑːnə/,US /æsˈtɑːnə/;Kazakh: Астана [astaˈna]) is the capital city 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, behind Almaty.

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 city" in Kazakh.


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