ALMATY

Almaty is the largest city in the country, which has been the capital of Kazakhstan for almost 70 years.

Today Almaty is called the “southern capital”, because in terms of the intensity of economic, social and cultural life, it is truly a capital city.

Almaty is located in the foothills of the Zailiyskiy Alatau, therefore, in clear weather, you can see the mountain peaks encircling Almaty from the south from almost anywhere in the city. The fact that the city is located on an inclined surface is also connected with its geographical location, therefore, among the landmarks used by Almaty residents, the concepts of “down” and “up” are & nbsp; the most common.

History

The territory where the city of Almaty is located has been a place of active life of various tribes and peoples since ancient times. It was here that the Saks once lived, whose burial mounds were discovered by archaeologists in the vicinity and even on the territory of the city itself.

The modern history of Almaty began in 1854, when the authorities of the Russian Empire decided to build a military fortification on this territory, named Verny.

In 1921, already under Soviet rule, the city of Verny was renamed into the city of Alma-Ata, as this area in the past was called Almaty.

In 1929, the capital of the Kazakh ASSR, which was previously in the city of & nbsp; Kyzylorda, was moved here, and since 1936 Alma-Ata became the capital of the Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic. After Kazakhstan gained independence in 1991, Alma-Ata, which regained its historical name Almaty, was the capital of the young state.

Having ceded this title to Astana in 1997, Almaty, nevertheless, remains the key scientific, cultural, industrial and financial center of the country, a visit to which is an indispensable travel destination for all guests of Kazakhstan.

Attractions

Kok-Tobe is a mountain in the city, located at an altitude of 1100 meters above sea level. At the foot of the mountain is a 350-meter TV tower and, measured from sea level, it is the highest tower in the world.

You can get to Kok-Tobe by cable car in an air tram, on foot or in a special minibus. An amazing panorama of the city and the surrounding mountains opens from the top.

On the territory of Kok-Tobe, there is a "Fountain of Desires" made in the shape of an apple, as well as a children's playground, a mini-zoo, an art gallery, a teahouse and much more.