Geography of Astana
Astana, Kazakhstan, the country's capital since 1997. Astana is located along the Ishim River, in central Kazakhstan. The city and the surrounding area have long been an important agricultural center. Industries include the processing of agricultural products and the manufacturing of agricultural equipment. Astana also has burgeoning construction, business, and financial industries. Astana is served by an international airport and is an important railway junction. Gumilyov Eurasian University, the Kazakhstan State Museum, and the Kazakh National Academy of Music are here.
In 1824 a fortress was established at the current site of Astana. It was incorporated as the city Akmola in 1863. The city's name was changed in 1868 to Akmolinsk, and again in 1961 to Tselinograd. In 1992 the name of the city was restored to Akmola (or Aqmola). In 1997 the government of Kazakhstan moved the nation's capital from Almaty to Akmola. The city was renamed Astana, the Kazakh word for "capital," in 1998.
Population: 319,000.