Astana is the official capital of Kazakhstan, the Central Asian country formerly known as Nur-Sultan. The city sits on the Ishim River in the northern part of Kazakhstan.
Astana became Kazakhstan's capital in 1997, replacing Almaty. The move shifted the political centre toward the country's geographic middle and encouraged major construction, including government buildings, cultural venues, and distinctive modern landmarks.
The city has changed names several times. It was known as Akmolinsk, Tselinograd, Aqmola, Astana, and Nur-Sultan before officially returning to Astana in 2022. Almaty remains Kazakhstan's largest city and an important economic and cultural centre, but it is not the national capital.