Modern Kazakhstan is the revived ancient steppes of Akmola, where the city of fabulous beauty is located - Astana.
In what year did Astana become the capital of Kazakhstan? And for what reasons? The main reason lies in the fact that the former capital has become problematic in environmental terms, as well as in its inconvenient location - in the very south of the country.
Let us recall the history of the formation of Kazakhstan.
Former capitals of Kazakhstan, XV – XVII centuries
When did Astana become the capital of Kazakhstan? Before she became her, many historical events took place in the republic.
It is very curious that in the whole history in Kazakhstan (including the times of the Kazakh Khanate) there were 9 capitals. True, some of them were capitals only a couple of years. Each represents a specific historical milestone.
The very first is the ancient city of Suzak (1465–1469). After the death of Khan Abulkhair, the capital was moved from the city. Now Suzak is a small village in the southern region.
The city of Sygnak was also once a major trade and craft center on the famous caravan route. Now around the settlement there is an extensive dry steppe overgrown with saxaul and thorny bushes.
The next capital of Turkestan (Iasi) is the spiritual and political center of the Turks. It became the main city of the Kazakh Khanate at the end of the 16th century and was it until the 1630s. This happened when the entire territory of the Middle Syr Darya became part of the Kazakh Khanate. Today this city is a center of pilgrimage for Muslims.
Even Tashkent (now the capital of Uzbekistan), conquered in 1586 by the Kazakhs, in 1630 (approximately) became the residence of the Kazakh Khanate for almost a hundred years.
Capitals of the 18th – 20th centuries
The history of the city of Semey (now Semipalatinsk) began in the 18th year of the 18th century. The foundation of this city is connected with the name of Tsar Peter I, who issued a decree on the protection of eastern lands and on the start of construction of the Irtysh military fortifications. Also, this city was a famous place of exile (XIX - XX centuries) of the political minds of the Russian empire.
The first fortress in Orenburg was founded in 1735 (on the site of the present Orsk) - a fortress by the river Or. The city was founded in 1743. He, as the capital of Kazakhstan, did not stay long during the RSFSR.
From 1925 for 2 years the capital was the city of Ak-Mechet on the Syr Darya River, then it was renamed Kzyl-Orda (Red Capital).
The former capital of Kazakhstan is Almaty
From 1929 to 1998, the capital of the republic was the city of Almaty. On the site of the city in the X-XIV centuries there was a settlement of Almaty. Subsequently, in 1854, Russian Cossacks settled in here. Large-scale development began in 1927, when the city received the status of the capital of autonomy. And to this day, it remains the largest cultural center of the country.
The huge transport load of highways, a large population (1.5 million people), dense buildings that do not allow the city to develop further, not very favorable ecological situation (one of the most problematic cities in terms of ecology) - all this led to a change in the capital in Kazakhstan .
In what year did Astana become the capital of Kazakhstan? History of its development
The vast vast steppes of Akmola have long been famous for being a place where a wide variety of civilizations and cultures intertwined. In connection with certain international, political and economic circumstances, in 1997 the capital of the republic was the city of Akmola (now Astana), located in the heart of the famous Kazakh steppes.
The endless steppes of these regions of Kazakhstan are also the center of the Eurasian continent. The president of sovereign Kazakhstan N. Nazarbayev suggested replacing the capital. A special role belongs to the vast free lands in the center of the country for the further prosperity and development of the city.
The centuries-old history of the new capital is also diverse. Akmola founded in what year? Astana has become the capital of Kazakhstan rightfully because it deserves it. The city with the old name was founded in 1830 by a participant in the Battle of Borodino (Cossack outpost). Later, this fortress grew and turned into a big city.
Astana is a city with the former name (translated) “White Shrine”. The word "Akmola" in Kazakh also means "White Grave". This name was explained by the location twenty kilometers from the city of the tract of the same name, on which at the top of a limestone hill there is a grave of a local biya.
In 1998, Akmola was renamed to Astana. Since then, it has been the center of social, state and cultural life of the country.
Now the name of the city means “My Motherland”. In what year did Astana become the capital of Kazakhstan? Relatively recently. But in such a short period of time, the capital of Kazakhstan has turned into a wonderful, beautiful modern city. Its area is more than 200 square meters. km Astana every year becomes more and more modern and attractive.