V Astana Economic Forum

Astana, which became Kazakhstan’s capital on December 10, 1997, is the country’s second-largest city, with a population estimated at 697,000 as of January 1, 2011. Appropriately, the name Astana means “the capital” in Kazakh. The city has had several name changes. It was known as Akmolinsk until 1961, Tselinograd until 1992 and Akmola until 1998.

Location

Astana is located in central Kazakhstan on the Ishim River, near where the Ishim meets the Nura River.

The city sits on terraces above a flood plain. Its drainage network consists mainly of the Esyl River and its intermittent right-sided feeders the Sarybulak and Akbulak rivers. A host of fresh and saline lakes dot the landscape within 30 kilometers of Astana. The city’s total land area is 71,000 hectares.

Climate

Astana has a continental climate with marked seasonal extremes. The average annual temperature is 3.1 degrees Centigrade. The temperature can exceed 40 degrees in summer and fall below −30 degrees in winter. Hot air masses formed in Central Asia are a major factor in the summer heat, and the cold from nearby Siberia is a major contributor to the winter chill.

Population

Astana’s population has tripled to 697,000 since it became the capital in 1997. In 2009 alone, it attracted 31,909 immigrants – the highest in Kazakhstan. Most came from other regions of the country, attracted by higher salary levels.

The largest ethnic groups in Astana’s population are Kazakhs, Russians, Ukrainians, Tatars, Armenians, Azerbaijanis, Jews, Belarusians, Georgians, Moldavians, Tajiks and Uzbeks.

History

Astana represents all that Kazakhstan is proud of. The capital was moved from Almaty to Astana -- then known as Akmola -- on December 10, 1997, at President Nazarbayev’s request. The decision was based on a number of factors, primarily economic and geopolitical.

Because the capital is situated in Kazakhstan’s heartland, it serves as a link between Europe and Asia. It is also roughly equidistant from the country’s major regions.

Astana has developed into an agricultural and industrial center and a major transportation hub.

A key reason the city was chosen as the capital was its relatively sparse population at the time – 250,000. That meant there was room to grow, an important requirement for further development.

Astana holds an eagerly anticipated Day of the Capital extravaganza every July 6 that features big-name entertainers, including American and European singers.

Kazakhs are proud of the capital as a showcase of Kazakhstan’s development.

A few years ago the fishermen plying the Ishim River could see only a handful of high-rise buildings from their boats -- and even those were only 10 stories high. Now the city is home to many 70-meter-tall and higher structures.

During its years of transformation from a provincial city to a metropolis, Astana has become a commercial center. It has the big shopping centers, boutiques, restaurants cafes, and entertainment places you’d expect in an urban area on the move.

Today Astana is a modern, vibrant city with an architecture that combines the best traditions of Europe and the East. The city’s architectural concept was based on President Nazarbayev’s idea of creating a Eurasian image in the steppe. Although Astana’s landscape has changed dramatically, its master plan has yet to be filled out – so a lot more construction projects are imminent.

European technology has been widely employed in the city’s expansion. Along with local companies, many Italian, French, Swiss and Turkish firms have contributed to the build-out. This has led to most of the new landmarks in the city being erected in just the past six to seven years.

Economy

The retail, transportation and construction sectors dominate Astana. The city is second only to Almaty in its contribution to gross national product. Together, the two cities account for over half of the country’s trade with other countries.

Astana has been Kazakhstan’s leader in housing commissioned the past five years. In fact, in 2009 it accounted for a fifth of the country’s new housing.

Astana’s retail sector is second only to Almaty’s.

The city’s industrial production is focused primarily on construction materials and food. Astana is Kazakhstan’s leading producer of construction material, including ready-to-use concrete and concrete building blocks. The city also produces a substantial share of the heating radiators, central-heating boilers and lifting-and-conveying machines that are built in the country.

Small and medium-sized businesses account for 22 percent of the Akmola region’s GDP.

To attract investors and develop competitive new industries, officials have established the special economic zone Astana – a New City. The zone, which accommodates a number of industries, offers tax and customs to those who locate there.

The zone is part of Astana’s effort to create a competitive economy with a high share of technology-intensive industries, processing industries and a cutting-edge tourism sector.

On March 17, 2006, President Nazarbayev approved a strategic plan for the city’s development through 2030. The Center for Sustainable Development of the Capital played a key role in creating the plan.

Culture

Astana boasts five universities, the Akmola Province Philharmonic, a history museum, an art museum, libraries and three top theaters – the Kulyash Baisseitova National Theater of Opera and Ballet, the Kuanyshbayev Kazakh Music and Drama Theater and the Maxim Gorky Russian Drama Theater.

The Congress Hall, Youth Palace, Presidential Center of Culture, Shabyt Creativity Center and the Palace of Peace and Reconciliation, designed by the renowned British architect Norman Foster, are some of the other mainstays of Astana culture.

The Baiterek Tower is both a monument to Kazakh culture as a whole and the emblem of the city.

Symbols of the city

The City Council approved a new coat of arms and capital flag on June 5, 2008.

President Nazarbayev came up with the concept for the coat of arms and designed it.

The design starts with a circle, a symbol of perfection and eternity. Inside it is a combination of the Baiterek Tower and a Shanyrak, the criss-crossed highest point of the frame of a yurt, or traditional nomad dwelling.

At the foundation of the Baiterek Tower there is a decoration of wings, representing the mysterious Samruk, the mythological bird associated with Kazakhstan’s creation.

The traditional structure of the yurt juxtaposed against the sparkling-new Baiterek landmark are emblematic of Kazakhstan’s growth from a nomad existence to a modern nation.

In addition to the Baiterek and Shanyrak, there are two rings in the coat of arms.

The outer red ring reflects the deep layer of history of the Great Steppe. Red was a sacred color to the nomads, who associated it with courage. They used it for their war banners. The nomads also associated red with birth, growth and development. The outer ring also features a wolf’s-eye decoration. Some Turkish tribes believed they originated from the Great Wolf.

The inner blue ring of the coat of arms is a symbol of both Kazakhstan’s independence and Astana’s grandeur. The shade of blue used in the ring is also the color of Kazakhstan’s national flag.

Sights in Astana

• Water-Green Avenue, a walking venue in the center of Astana.
• Ak-Orda, the residence of Kazakhstan’s President.
• Baiterek Tower, a symbol of Astana and Kazakhstan that is a major tourist attraction.
• The Palace of Independence, a venue for diplomatic and other international events.
• The Palace of Peace and Reconciliation – or Pyramid of Peace -- constructed to accommodate the Congress of World Religions held every three years.
• The Khan Shatyr, a shopping mall and entertainment center shaped like a huge tent.
• The Shabyt Creativity Palace, a center of culture and arts.
• Kazakh Ely Monument, a symbol of Kazakhstan’s independence.

Sports

Between January 30 and February 6, 2011, Astana and Almaty hosted the 7^th Asian Winter Games.

More Information

Official Web-site of Astana City