Astana has been the capital of Kazakhstan since 2022.
The city sits in northern Kazakhstan on the Ishim River and is the country’s second-largest city after Almaty. Kazakhstan moved its capital from Almaty to Astana in 1997, citing Almaty’s southern location, limited space, earthquake risk, and the strategic value of developing the north.
Astana has changed names several times. It was called Akmolinsk, Tselinograd, and Akmola before becoming Astana in 1998. In 2019, it was renamed Nur-Sultan, but the name Astana was restored in September 2022.
The capital is known for striking modern architecture, including the Bayterek monument, the Palace of Peace and Reconciliation, and the Khan Shatyr entertainment centre. Almaty remains Kazakhstan’s largest city and an important cultural and commercial centre, but it is no longer the national capital.