Astana

capital of Kazakhstan

Astana (Kazakh: [ɑstɑnɑ] (audio speaker iconlisten), Kazakh: Астана), previously known as Akmolinsk (Russian: Акмолинск, romanized: Akmolinsk), Tselinograd, and Nur-Sultan, is the capital city of Kazakhstan.

Astana
Астана (Kazakh)
Astana Tower and Ishim River
Astana Tower and Ishim River
Flag of Astana
Official seal of Astana
Astana is located in Kazakhstan
Astana
Astana
Location in Kazakhstan
Coordinates: 51°8′N 71°26′E / 51.133°N 71.433°E / 51.133; 71.433
Country Kazakhstan
RegionAkmola
Population
 • Estimate 
(2021)
1,184,469[1]

Astana has an estimated population of 1,184,469.[1] It has been the capital of Kazakhstan since 1998. The name "Astana", which in Kazakh language means "Capital city", was chosen because it is easily pronounced in many languages. In Kazakh, it is pronounced "As-ta-na", while in English (and, for instance, German), common pronunciation is "As-ta-na". It is in the Aqmola Province.

On 23 March 2019, a unanimous vote in Kazakhstan's parliament agreed to the new name. The city was renamed Nur-Sultan, after former president Nursultan Nazarbayev.[2] The name was changed back to Astana in September 2022.[3]

References

change
  1. 1.0 1.1 "Kazakhstan: Administrative Division (Regions and Districts) - Population Statistics, Charts and Map".
  2. "It's official: Kazakh capital now called Nur-Sultan". RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty. Retrieved 2019-03-23.
  3. "Kazakhstan to change name of capital from Nur-sultan back to Astana". the Guardian. The Guardian. 14 September 2022. Retrieved 14 September 2022.