Билет 18

Astana

Astana is the capital of the republic of Kazakhstan. It is the second largest city in the country with population over 800 000. In 1999 Astana was awarded a Prize of UNESCO “City of Peace”.

Geographical position and climate

Astana is the northernmost capital of Asia. The city is situated in the central Kazakhstan on the banks of the Ishim River. It is located in steppe and has an extreme continental climate – the summers here are hot, while winters are very dry and cold. Astana is the second coldest capital city in the world.

History of the city

The city was founded in 1830 and its first name was Akmolinsk, then in 1961 it was renamed Tselinograd. In 1992 the city’s name was changed to Akmola. Akmola became the capital of Kazakhstan in 1997 and in 1998 the city received its present name Astana.

Economy of Astana

The economy of the city is based on trade, transport and construction. It is a special economic zone. Astana is an important centre for business and trade. The most important branches of industry are food processing industry, mechanical engineering and production of construction materials. The city is centre for culture, sport, healthcare and education.

Architecture and sights

Astana is a beautiful modern city. The author of the Master Plan of Astana is the famous Japanese architect Kisho Kurokawa. There are a lot of modern futuristic buildings, skyscrapers and monuments. “Baiterek” memorial is the symbol of Astana; it is also the geographical centre of all Eurasia.There are a lot of beautiful parks and fountains in Astana, the most famous of which is “Tree of Life” fountain. In the city there are also some theatres and museums, concert halls and trading and entertainment centres. As Astana is the capital of the country