Almaty

Almaty (Kazakh: Алматы; formerly known as Alma-Ata (Russian: Алма-Ата), also Verniy (Верный)) is the largest city in Kazakhstan, with a population of 1,226,000 (as of 1 August 2005),[2] which represents 8% of the population of the country.

It was the capital of Kazakhstan (and its predecessor, the Kazakh SSR) from 1929 to 1998. Despite losing its status as the capital, Almaty remains the major commercial center of Kazakhstan.


The name "Almaty" derives from the Kazakh word for "apple" (алма), and thus is often translated as a city "rich with apples". The older Soviet-era Russian version of its name, Alma-Ata, originates from a mistake (the name literally means "Grandfather of apples").

In the surrounding region, there is a great genetic diversity among the wild apples; the region is thought to be the ancestral home of the apple, and the wild Malus sieversii, is considered a likely candidate for the ancestor of the modern domestic apple.

Almaty is the former capital of Kazakhstan, and is still its largest city. Most countries with diplomatic representation in Kazakhstan have moved their embassies to Astana, the new capital, in the past year or two. Some maintain consulates in Almaty.

Almaty is the financial, economic, and cultural center of Central Asia. The city boasts a large tourist, student, and expat community, and includes a diverse citizen base of Kazakhs, Russians, Uzbeks, Germans, Poles, Chinese, and many more.

Bearings: a small mountain range borders the city to the east and in the far south on a clear day you can the snow capped mountains. The city, in general, slopes from south to north (i.e. you are going south if you are traveling uphill).

Almaty is dangerous for western travelers after dark (and somewhat before dark). Agree taxi fares prior to entering a taxi or hailed car. Criminals prey outside expat hangouts and traveling in groups is safer.

Almaty's rather rural-sounding name means "apple rich" - after the renowned quality and variety of the region's apples. The reality, however, is rather different. Almaty is the commercial and cultural hotspot of central Asia, ready to make its mark on the tourist map.

In 1911, a catastrophic earthquake flattened the city. Only the Svyato Voznesenskiy (Zenkov) Cathedral stayed standing. This 54 m (180ft) high edifice is one of the most extraordinary wooden buildings in the world - it was made entirely without nails! It stands, gaudily painted like a giant dolls' house and surrounded by rose, in the 28 Panfilov Heroes Memorial Park in the city centre.

The main Zelyoni Bazaar is more than just a market, it is a cultural hotchpotch of produce and people from all over Central Asia. Artists display their work in Zhybek Zholy (Silk Road), know locally as Arbat. For a superb view of the city and mountains, take the cable car up to Kok-tobe (Blue Hill), or walk up past the marijuana fields.

Look out for Hotel Kazakhstan, a 102 m (335 ft) high modernist tower, the tallest building in the city, and the Central Mosque, built in 1999, a wonderfully elegant marble building with a huge blue dome.

The traffic is terrible - ageing cars rattle past in a cloud of exhaust fumes. But change is happening fast and things are improving all the time. Almaty is a city of pride, ingenuity and ambition, with a vibrant Asian arts and fusion music scene and a cosmopolitan population, poised to play its part on the international stage.

Don't Miss
Medeu in the Tien Shan Mountains.Tourist centre with Olympic size ice stadium and mountain water swimming pool in the summer. Barakholka flea market. Central State Museum. Museum of National Musical Instruments-in The House of Officers on the edge of Panfilov Park.

Taking a tour to Charyn Canyon 200 km (125 mi) away-the second largest canyon in the world. Arasan Baths-5 storey bath centre with eastern and Russian baths and hydrotherapy in Tulebaeva Street.