AstanaAstana (the former Akmola) was founded in 1830 as a fortification ofRussian Empire. In 1862 stanitsa Ak-mola got the status of a town. Inthe course of time Akmola became the centre of trade fairs wheremerchants from all over Kazakhstan. Russia, Central Asia, India andother countries gathered to sell cattle and agricultural products. For along time Akmola was an outpost of Russian Empire seeking the way todeveloped trade and its political influence upon Central Asia inXVIII-XIX centuries. With the growth of anti – tsarist and revolutionarypublic mood the Akmloa prison became over crowed with those who wantedfreedom. In March 1917 the Soviet Power was established in Akmola.Many changes have taken place since then. Akmola played an importantrole in supplying the Soviet Army with raw materials and products duringthe Second World War. In 1961 Akmola was renamed into Tselinograd andbecame the centre of Tselinny Krai. In 1992 the city got its name Akmolaagain and sice October 1997 Akmola has become a new capital of theRepublic of Kazakhstan. Later on it got its present name Astana.Astana is a modern growing city, a political, financial, economic,scientific and socio-cultural centre of the state. There are a lot ofmagnificent beautiful buildings, higher educational establishments,colleges and secondary schools, hotels, banks and other commercialstructures in Astana, the new capital of the Republic of Kazakhstan.There are many places of interest in Astana: the Central Square theRepublic Avenue, the Palace of Youth and the Bridge across the IshimRiver, the Reginal Museum of Fine Arts and others. From everywhere youcan see Baiterek, the symbol of prosperity and happiness.
