Cities of Kazakhstan

History of Almaty

In genuez merchants' notes, which are dated by VII-X centuries, were mentioned some settlements in the valley of Seven rivers. The historians suggest that one of these settlements was called as Almatu and was the crossing post on the Silk Road. In the notes of chroniclers the name “Almatu” may be read as Almalyk. The kazakhs of Dulat kin of the Starshyi (Older) Dzhuz settled Almaty in the end of XVI century.
In 1854 February 4 the Russian military fortification “Zailiskoye” was built on the place of destroyed kazakh settlement Almaty, which was then renamed in Vernoye, and in 1867 got the status of the city. The origin of Vernoye linked with consumation of voluntary joining to Russia. In 1921 February 5 Vernyi town was renamed in Almaty.
Almaty is an unusual city. First, it has adapted to the changing times faster than any other Central Asian city. Second, it is a green city. American Rockwell Kent, when delighted upon arriving in Almaty in the 1960s wrote “Alma-Ata is surely a premier city for its green decoration.
It seemed to me I was walking through a forest. Buildings are entirely hidden by trees.” Almaty continues to be a very green city with straight, tree-lined streets and modern architecture. Normally, buildings are five- or nine-story due to the high seismic activity in the region. The city is decorated with numerous parks and gardens, fountains and flower-beds. Almaty stretches out along the foothills of the Zailiiski Alatau range.
During ancient times, the settlement of Almaly was found on the location of present day Almaty. Translated from Kazak, “almaly” means “apple”. Previously, the city was called Alma-Ata, that is “father of apples”. Anyhow, the meaning of the city's name has always been associated with the word “apple”. The ancient town of Almaly was an oasis along the Silk Road right where modern Almaty is situated.
Traces of the ancient town are still found when earth-moving work is done in the center of Almaty. And where earlier the famous caravan path stretched, Zhibek Zholy (the Silk Road) avenue now runs. In 1854, on the historical site of the ancient settlement Almaty, the construction of the Russian fortification Fort Verny was started. It was one of four customs forts Russia built during the years of Kazakhstan's colonization.
Presently, on their sights are found the towns of Issyk, Talgar, Almaty, and Kaskelen. The buildings of Fort Verny did not endure, only traces of a rampart can be found in the eastern part of the city - Malaya Stanitsa (Small Cossack Village).
In 1924 the capital of Kazakhstan was removed to Ak-Mechet (ex Perovsk) (nowadays Kzyl-Orda), but in 1927 April 3 the capital was returned to Almaty.
In 1879 to 43 streets were given names.
In 1892 the town grove (now the grove named after Baum) was founded.
In 1931 here was built the water-supply.
In 1933 – the building of the sewage system.
There are more than 100 nationalities live in the city. The city is situated at a height of 400 to 900m above sea level, the total territory is about 170 sq. km.
In 1981 December 19 here was born Baurzhan Kadyrsizov the million resident of Almaty. Almaty residents live by the decree time of the 5th hours zone, putting in 1930 July 16. The time of Almaty overtakes the concrete time on 54 minutes and 12 seconds and the world time (by Greenwich time) on 6 hours.
The building of Almaty metro was begun in the early of 90s. Today this metro is one of the largest long-built instolations of the southern capital.
In 1994 Alma-Ata was renamed in Almaty.
The monument “Independence” with a height of 31m was built in 1995 July 13.
In 10th of December Almaty lost its capital status. The center of the republic was moved to Astana.
Almaty is at the same time in different climate zones – from continental to subcotinental, closed to arctic (in mountains).
The highest peak of Almaty neighboring is Talgar (H-5017).
The first settlers of Vernyi were soldiers who built fortifications. The first decorative plantings in Almaty (Vernyi) were planted in 1856. In 1874 here were delivered pitches, grapes, apricot-trees and other fruit trees. This delivering was done on the initiative of forestry expert. He recommended of Vernyi to plant no more than 20 decorative trees (to each resident). Along the Dostyk Avenue (ex Lenina) were planted oaks.

Sights of city Almaty

Almaty aport. It is a sort of apples, which grows in Almaty region. Aport was delivered to Almaty in XIX century by the settlers from Voronezh province. This sort was begun to cultivate by the gardener Moiseev N.T. As the result of such cultivation appeared some apple sorts, which were named – “Alexander” aport, red, wintering, pink and etc. In Almaty neighboring more spreaded sort of apples is “Alexander” aport is the autumn-winter sort. It begins to bear fruits at the age of 7-8. Each of its fruit weights about 350 gramms. They differ by good shape and colouring, juicy pulp, high sacchrine, and acidity. The gustatory and freight qualities are stayed in good condition till April and May.
Status Almaty. Was Kazakhstan's capital until November 1997. While the southern President's Residence continues to be in Almaty, Astana is the new capital of the republic. However, through the President's Decree of October 20, 1997 Almaty acquired the special status of the republican subordinate city. With the new status the city became a small state in a state - ”a peculiar Hong Kong.” It hosts various international events as the Republic's most comfortable city with a well developed infrastructure and it remains the premier industrial and cultural center of Kazakhstan.
The President's Residence in Almaty. Furmanov St., upwards from Satpaev St. The southern Residence of the Kazakhstan's President in Almaty is located in the southeastern part of the city. It was erected in 1980. Around the building are concentrated some of the main examples of Soviet-era government architecture in Almaty. The Residence is 14 meters higher as compared to other buildings bordering the square. Vertical semi-columns on the building's front and sides add to its strictness and solemnity. On each side of the building, there are green squares with flower-beds, fountains and pools.
The zoological gardens in Almaty. 166 Esenberlin St. Adjacent to the Central Park is the Almaty Zoological Gardens . This research and educational establishment was founded in 1937 by the famous naturalist Maxim Zverev. It has a rich collection of animals and birds from around the world, plus a breeding laboratory where rare and endangered animals and birds are studied and propagated.
The 32-hectare park accommodates open-air cages and ponds for water-fowl on its 19-hectare area. The Zoo's collection has 95 species of mammals, 150 species of birds, 80 species of fish, 17 species of reptiles; among its total of 4,000 specimen. The park is home to a collection of animals included in the International Red Book of rare or endangered animals.
There is also a collection of Kazakhstan's own rare and endangered animals. These are: Tien Shan bear, Striped hyena, Turkestan lynx (bobcat), manul, Kazakhstan's ibex, Pink pelican, Black stork, flamingo, Sea eagle, Steppe eagle. Many inhabitants of the Zoo regularly reproduce, a sign of their good care and condition. Among them such animals as an Indian elephant, zebra, black panther, Siberian ibex, maral, Amur and Sumatra tigers, jaguar, leopard, black swan, peacock.
Television Tower in Almaty. A landmark seen throughout the city, the TV transmitter complex is located on the slopes of Koktyube mount. It reaches a height of 1,000 m above sea level, though the tower itself is only 327 m high. Its capacity is 271 kW with 5 TV and 4 radio channels broadcasting for a range of 80 to 190 kilometers from it. The tower stands on a ferroconcrete foundation which has a three-story sectional basement. The observation deck sits at the height of 146 meters. The tower is crowned with a 114-meter high metal aerial. It is also equipped with two high-speed elevators. The building was designed for its mountainous site and can survive maximum seismic up to a magnitude of 10.
Atakent in Almaty. Where Auezov St. ends at Timiryazev St. This is one of the city's largest business centers. Rich in greenery, it is a natural extention of the Botanical Gardens adjacent to it. The area is very attractive to many residents who often spend week-ends there. Atakent's exhibition-center includes nine pavilions of one and two stories located among beautiful lanes, flower beds and fountains that make doing business there a pleasure. The main pavilion has a great polyscreen which displays a 10-minute review of Kazakhstan from the Caspian Sea to the Altai mountains and from the glaciers of the Alatau to the pre-Ural steppes. The buildings often host various international fairs and exhibitions.
Circus. 50 Abai Ave.; 67-54-39. The Circus is a part of the architectural complex located on Abai avenue. It was built in 1972. Its modern architecture is reminiscent of a Kazakh national yurta or perhaps of one of the tents of the circuses which were always appreciated by residents of the former USSR. A hyperbolic cupola crowns the rotunda. Inside, a 2,160-seat amphitheater is surrounded by a two-circle lobby.The Circus offers a variety of breath-taking shows in Kazakh national style such as “Horse-herds-jigits”, “The Horse Suite”, “Kyz Kuu”, “The Land of Wonders”, “Baikonur”, “Caravan” and others. A visit to Almaty would not be complete without a chance to view this traditional pastime. It is local children's favorite place of entertainment. Adjacent is “Fantasy World” - a local game center.
Arasan-Baths in Almaty. Almaty's central bath-house is situated in а large, impressive dome-shaped building opposite Ра nfilov Park.. Т hr ее types ofbath are available atArasan: Russian, Finnish and Т urkish. The Russian and Finnish baths share the same plunge pool and you can try both on one ticket. The Finnish bath is dry while the Russian version is a sea of steam. Т he Turkish bath consists of stone platforms heated to three different temperatures and а plunge pool. Various kinds of massage are on offer.
Wedding Palace in Almaty. 103a Abai Ave. Designed like a Kazakh traditional dwelling - the yurta, the palace is faced with white marble and aluminum. Sunscreens surrounding the building make it look weightless and stylish. The first floor includes rooms for brides and bridegrooms and a large hall with white marble columns and walls decorated with paintings and engravings. The central staircase of white marble, decorated with fresh flowers, leads to the second floor where wedding ceremonies are performed. The ground floor accommodates souvenirs and gifts shops linked with a wide gallery.

Building of the Almaty airport. The
first building is constructed in 1935

Central mosque of Almaty

Children-horsemen a symbol of a
youth and the future Kazakhstan
(1995)

Kind to Almaty from mountains

New buildings of Almaty 2005-2008
years

Nikolsky a cathedral. Date of
construction of 12.14.1908 of year

The central market (Green bazaar) is
opened in 1868 of XIX century, is
reconstructed in 1973 - 1975 of XX
century

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