Astana Live Cam

Astana, now known as Nursultan, is the capital city of Kazakhstan. It has a relatively short but interesting history. Here is an overview:

Early History: The area where Astana is located has a history dating back thousands of years. It was originally inhabited by nomadic tribes, and later became part of the Kazakh Khanate, which was a confederation of Kazakh tribes in the 15th century.

Russian Conquest: In the 19th century, the Russian Empire expanded into Central Asia, and what is now Kazakhstan became part of the Russian Empire. The region was known as "Akmolinsk" during this time.

Soviet Era: After the Russian Revolution of 1917, Kazakhstan became part of the Soviet Union. Akmolinsk was renamed "Tselinograd" in 1961, reflecting its role in the Virgin Lands Campaign, an ambitious Soviet agricultural program.

Independence and Capital Relocation: After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Kazakhstan gained independence. Initially, Almaty was the capital. However, in 1997, President Nursultan Nazarbayev announced the decision to move the capital to Akmolinsk (renaming it Astana, which means "capital" in Kazakh) for strategic and symbolic reasons. The new location was more central, which was considered advantageous for national unity and development.

Rapid Development: The decision to move the capital sparked a period of rapid development and construction in Astana. The city underwent a transformation, with modern infrastructure, futuristic architecture, and a distinctive skyline emerging in a relatively short period.