In 1997, the capital of Kazakhstan was moved to Astana from Almaty to take advantage of Astana more favorable location as it is closer to Russia and the risk of earthquake is much less.

Nowadays, the city is becoming a new cosmopolitan western-style city with skyscrapers and offices of intercontinental oil corporations.

Famous Japanese architect Kisho Kurokawa worked on the master plan of the city. Many of the buildings were designed by famous architect Norman Foster. Photos by Petr Ushanov

enjoy the modern architecture of Astana

Tags: Astana city

Hazrat Sultan is the largest mosque in Central Asia located in Astana – the capital city of Kazakhstan. Construction of the mosque began in June 2009. July 6, 2012, at 12:30, the mosque was opened.

The building was constructed in the classic Islamic style using traditional Kazakh ornaments. The mosque can accommodate up to 10,000 people. “Hazrat Sultan” has the largest dome in Kazakhstan (height – 51 meters, width – 28.1 meters). The height of the minarets is 77 meters. Photos by Petr Ushanov

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Tags: Astana city · mosques

July 6, 2012 the largest mosque in Kazakhstan and Central Asia “Hazrat Sultan” was opened in the capital city of the country Astana.

The building is constructed in the classic Islamic style using traditional Kazakh ornaments. The mosque standing on the right bank of the Yesil River is located near the Palace of Peace and Reconciliation, and a monument “Kazakh Eli”. Photos by voxpopuli.kz

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Tags: Astana city · mosques

The 151 General Assembly of the Bureau of International Expositions (BIE) was held on June 12. This offered Kazakhstan an opportunity to present its bid to host EXPO 2017 – the next scheduled International Exposition after Expo 2015.

The winning candidate will be decided by the BIE in December 2012 in Paris. Here is the presentation video of Astana at the assembly.

Tags: Astana city

The Palace of Peace and Accord because of its characteristic form is simply called the Pyramid. It is one of the most recognizable, interesting and controversial buildings of Astana – the new capital city of Kazakhstan.

The pyramid was built in 2006 (architect Sir Norman Foster). The dimensions of the palace: length – 62 meters, width – 62 meters, height – 62 meters. The concept of the palace is tolerance and unity of different religions. Photos by Pavel Kremnev.

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Akorda is the residence of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan located on the left bank of the River Ishim in Astana – the capital city of the country. Official presentation of the new palace of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan was held December 24, 2004.

Next to the residence the Parliament, the Government, the Supreme Court, and the House of the Ministries of Kazakhstan are located. The residence is depicted on the banknote of 10,000 tenge. Photos by Karla Nur for voxpopuli.kz

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Tags: Akorda · Astana city

A couple of nice time-lapse videos of Kazakhstan new capital city Astana located in the steppe region of the country and former capital, largest city of Kazakhstan Almaty surrounded by the mountains.

Tags: Almaty city · Astana city · time-lapse

According to the officials of Astana it is the most beautiful fountain in Kazakhstan.

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Looking pretty good

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Tags: Astana city · park · reconstruction

Oceanarium “Duman” is a drop of the southern seas, taken away more than three thousand kilometers. It is a unique place in Kazakhstan, the heart of the entertainment center “Duman”.
Oceanarium is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the most distant from the world ocean oceanarium. Address: Astana, Prospect Kabanbai batir, 4.

Tags: Astana city · oceanarium