Astana
INTRO
Astana is the capital and second largest city of the young Republic of Kazakhstan. The city is proud to have gone through one of the world's greatest building projects and is heading toward being not only the centre of the country but also the one of the entire Central Asia. Its ethno post-modernistic style, combined with the unique Islamic atmosphere, turns Astana into a luring modern place and a major tourist attraction in Kazakhstan.
City Profile
City: Astana
Country: Kazakhstan
Area: 550.5 km²
Population: 577,300
Major: Askar Mamin
Language: Kazakh
LOCATION
Located in the middle of north part of Kazakhstan, Astana lies in a steppe, semi-desert region on the Ishim River. The city is administratively separate from the Akmola Province even though it is situated within its territory. As the country's capital, Astana is the economical and cultural centre in Kazakhstan, connected to the rest of the world by its international airport.
TIME TO VISIT
Astana is known to be the second coldest capital in the world after the Mongolian capital. Generally, the city has a strongly distinguished continental climate that is characterised with exceptionally cold winters and relatively hot summers. The chilliest month of the year is January with average temperatures of minus 15 degrees C. Sometimes the temperatures drop to minus 45 degrees Celsius even during the late autumn. Much more pleasant is the weather during the summer season when the average outside temperature is around 20 degrees. It is possible, however, to witness as high temperatures as 40 degrees. Probably the best time to visit the Kazakhstan's capital is between June and August even though the air gets dry and hot.
POPULATION
The population of the Kazakhstan's capital has increased more than twice for the past eight years and today it reaches about 600 000 people. This is due to the significant migration of the workers who come here to seek career prosperity. People from the neighboring countries like Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan also move to Astana in search of better opportunities. This has also led to the increase of the Kazakhs in comparison to their previous minority status. It has been estimated that while before the Kazakhs comprised only 17 percent of the total population, today their number has gone up to 60% of the overall citizens. The rest of the people are Russian, Ukrainian and German. The official language in the country is Kazakh but Russian and English are also used.
DISTRICTS
Roughly, the city of Astana can be divided into two parts. The first one is considered the older part that is located north of the Ishim River, while the second one is considered the younger one and is located south of the river banks. Each of these parts of the capital consists of many boroughs, some of which are newer and still under construction. It is accepted that the region south of the Ishim river to be referred to as New Astana.
SIGHTS & ATTRACTIONS
Walking along the river that passes through the city is enjoyable and pleasant, especially during the hot summer nights. Apart from that, even though Astana is a young capital that is undergoing serious construction, there are still several places of interest that should not be missed when visiting the city.
- Modern Government Quarter is a complex of administrative buildings that attract with its futuristic architecture and unique design. The Ministry of Finance, for example, is a contemporary building that is shaped like a dollar, while the Ministry of Communications is a tall structure that is particularly shiny at night. Interestingly, most of the important government and cultural centres here are built in white and blue.
- Bayterek Tower is the symbol of the new status of the young capital and has belonged to one of the biggest tourist attractions in the city. It represents the tree of life according to a local legend and it looks like one with an egg on top. The tower is 22 meters high and one can get a picturesque view of the newly built city from the top. An imprint of the first President of Kazakhstan, Mr. Nazarbayev, can be found at the very top floor of the glass sphere and the locals believe that if you put your hand inside it, your wish will come true. http://korovin.rez.ru/travel/astana/baiterek/
- Central Mosque "Nur-Astana" is a newly-built mosque that represents the bright future of the young country. It is a stunning piece of architecture with four minarets, each 62 meters high, harmoniously surrounding the aluminum dome that shines under the sunshine. A symbol of the Islam religion, the mosque is not only a place for warship but also a main tourist attraction.
- Zhastar Palace is housed in the former Residence of the Head of the State. It is a museum dedicated to the first president of the country and exhibits more than 60 thousand articles, including personal belongings, documents, decorative works of art, presents from other nations, souvenirs, books, paintings, etc. Tourists can tour the building and enter the rooms, from where the important decisions about the country are discussed.
- The Presidential Centre of Culture of Republic Kazakhstan is considered by the locals one of the beautiful buildings in the capital that is a concentration point of the cultural and spiritual heritage of Kazakhstan. Inside the centre one can visit the National Museum and learn a little more about the traditions and history of the country and its people.
AIRPORT
The Kazakhstan's capital is easily accessible through air as it has one international airport that plays an important role in the transportation system of Central Asia as a whole.
- International Airport Astana is located only 14 kilometres off the city. The airport operates daily flights to Moscow and several major cities in Europe. It is also possible to fly to Astana from the other Asian capitals. The best way to reach downtown from the airport is to either rent a car or take a taxi. Bear in mind to ask for the price in advance. More info at: http://www.astanaairport.kz/
LOCAL TRANSPORTATION
Generally, public transportation in Astana is very poor as the city is undergoing metro construction as well as the implementing of more buses into its transportation network.
- Buses in Astana form the main means of transport for the local who do not possess cars. Thus buses are usually very crowded and unreliable.
- Minivans are privately owned vehicles in the city that are a little more expensive than the buses but that cover wider and more direct routes compared to them.
- Cars are the predominant means of transportation for most of the city's citizens. Most car parking places are free and those, where payment is necessary don't cost more than 50 cents. Be cautious when driving in Kazakhstan though as the drivers may not always follow the rules for safety.
- Taxis can be found but fraud is not an uncommon event. It is a general practice for the taxi drivers to pick up more than one passenger who go in the same direction. Avoid taking a cab that already has passengers inside.
HISTORY
At first the territory of today Astana was called Akmolinsk and was a major railway cross-section during the early twentieth century. The region was a part of the Soviet Union until 1991 when Kazakhstan gained its independence. It was not until 1997 that Astana officially became the capital of the newly formed country, even though it had been appointed for one since 1994. From then on, the capital's authorities have been fulfilling many construction projects in an attempt to create more modernised outlook of the prime town in Kazakhstan. Several other projects still wait their completion, including one that aims to develop the public transportation system and infrastructure. All in all, Astana is rapidly improving and thus attracts more and more people under its roof.
CITY LINKS
- Kazinform: A Daily Newspaper in English, Russian and Kazakh: http://www.inform.kz/index.php?lang=eng
- Astana Official Website: http://www.astana.kz/eng/startpage/
UNIVERSITIES
- International College of Continuous Education Astana: http://www.ibo.org/school/002327/
- Polytechnical College of Astana
- College of Economy of Astana