View source for Place:Nur-Sultan

{{short description|Capital of Kazakhstan}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name                     = Nur-Sultan
| native_name              = {{lang|kk|Nūr-Sūltan}} / {{native name|kk|Нұр-Сұлтан|italics=off}}
| native_name_lang         = 
| other_name               = Astana {{nobold|({{lang|kk|Астана}}; 1998–2019)}}
| official_name            = 
| settlement_type          = Capital city of Kazakhstan
| image_skyline            = {{Photomontage
|photo1a      = Astana, capital of Kazakhstan 01.jpg
|photo2a      = 
|photo2b      = Ishim River in Nur-Sultan (cropped).jpg
|photo3a      = Nur-Sultan at the evening (cropped).jpg
|photo3b      = 
|photo4a      = Nazarbayev University.JPG
|photo4b      = L.N.Gumilyov Eurasian National University.JPG
|spacing      = 2
|position     = center
|color_border = white
|color        = white
|size         = 266
| foot_montage                    = From top: Nur-Sultan downtown, Ishim River
}}
| image_flag               = Flag of Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan.svg
| flag_link                = Flag of Nur-Sultan
| image_shield             = Emblem of Nur-Sultan-1.svg
| shield_link              = Coat of arms of Nur-Sultan
| pushpin_map              = Kazakhstan#Asia
| pushpin_label_position   = bottom
| image_map                = {{maplink|frame=yes|plain=yes|type=shape|stroke-width=2|stroke-color=#000000|zoom=8|frame-lat=51.16|frame-long=71.43}}
| mapsize                  = 230px
| map_caption              = <br/>Location of Nur-Sultan in Kazakhstan
| coordinates              = {{coord|51|10|N|71|26|E|region:KZ|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type         = [[Earth:List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name         = {{flag|Kazakhstan}}
| established_title        = Founded
| established_date         = 1830 (as Akmola){{sfn|Pospelov|1993|pp=24–25}}
| government_type          = Mayor–Council
| governing_body           = City Mäslihat
| leader_title             = Akim
| leader_name              = Altaı Kölginov
| area_total_km2           = 810.2
| elevation_m              = 347
| population_total         = 1,136,008<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.stat.gov.kz/official/industry/61/statistic/6 |title=stat.gov.kz |publisher=stat.gov.kz |date= |accessdate=2022-02-11 |archive-date=28 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200628160403/https://www.stat.gov.kz/official/industry/61/statistic/6 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| population_as_of         = 1 March 2020
| population_footnotes     = <ref name="stat.gov.kz"/>
| population_density_km2   = auto
| population_metro         = 1,200,000
| population_metro_footnotes = <ref name="informburo"/>
| postal_code_type         = Postal code
| postal_code              = 010000–010015<ref>{{cite web |url=http://postalcodedb.com/AlphabeticSearch.aspx?country=Kazakhstan&city=Astana |title=Postal Code for Astana, Kazakhstan |access-date=10 March 2015 |publisher=Postal Codes Database |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402105648/http://postalcodedb.com/AlphabeticSearch.aspx?country=Kazakhstan&city=Astana |archive-date=2 April 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| area_code                = +7 7172<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.countrycallingcodes.com/country.php?country=Kazakhstan |title=Kazakhstan Country Codes |access-date=9 March 2015 |publisher=CountryCallingCodes.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923210724/http://www.countrycallingcodes.com/country.php?country=Kazakhstan |archive-date=23 September 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| website                  = {{Official URL}}
| timezone                 = ALMT
| utc_offset               = +6
| blank_name               = [[ISO 3166-2]]
| blank_info               = AST<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.geonames.org/KZ/administrative-division-kazakhstan.html |title=ISO Subentity Codes for Kazakhstan |access-date=10 March 2015 |publisher=GeoNames.org |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150226163300/http://www.geonames.org/KZ/administrative-division-kazakhstan.html |archive-date=26 February 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref>
| blank1_name              = License plate
| blank1_info              = 01, Z
| total_type               = City proper
}}

'''Nur-Sultan''' ({{IPAc-en|ˌ|n|ʊər|s|ʊ|l|ˈ|t|ɑː|n}};<ref name="MerWeb">{{Cite Merriam-Webster|Nursultan|access-date= 13 May 2019}}</ref> {{IPA-kk|nʊɾ sʊltɑn}}; {{lang-kz|Нұр-Сұлтан|Nūr-Sūltan}}), previously known as '''Astana'''{{efn|{{IPAc-en|ə|ˈ|s|t|ɑː|n|ə}}, <small>also</small> {{IPAc-en|US|æ|ˈ|-|,_|ɑː|s|t|ɑː|ˈ|n|ɑː}}, {{IPAc-en|UK|æ|ˈ|s|t|æ|n|ə}}.<ref name="MerWeb"/><ref>{{Cite American Heritage Dictionary|Astana|access-date= 9 April 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.collinsdictionary.com/amp/english/astana|title= Astana|work= Collins English Dictionary|publisher= HarperCollins|access-date= 9 April 2019|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190513103737/https://www.collinsdictionary.com/amp/english/astana|archive-date= 13 May 2019|url-status= dead}}</ref><ref>[https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/us/Astana "Astana"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190513103737/https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/us/Astana |date=13 May 2019}} (US) and {{Cite Oxford Dictionaries|Astana|access-date= 9 April 2019}}</ref>}} ({{IPA-kk|ɑstɑnɑ|3=Kk-astana.ogg}}, {{lang-kz|Астана}}), is the capital city of Kazakhstan. The city acquired its present name on 23 March 2019, following a unanimous vote in Kazakhstan's parliament. It was named after Nursultan Nazarbayev, President of Kazakhstan from 1990 to 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://meduza.io/news/2019/03/23/novyy-prezident-kazahstana-podpisal-ukaz-o-pereimenovanii-astany-v-nur-sultan|title= Новый президент Казахстана подписал указ о переименовании Астаны в Нур-Султан|website= meduza.io|language= ru|access-date= 2019-03-23|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190323131419/https://meduza.io/news/2019/03/23/novyy-prezident-kazahstana-podpisal-ukaz-o-pereimenovanii-astany-v-nur-sultan|archive-date= 23 March 2019|url-status= dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.rferl.org/a/it-s-official-kazakh-capital-now-called-nur-sultan/29837884.html|title= It's Official: Kazakh Capital Now Called Nur-Sultan|website= RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty|language= en|access-date= 2019-03-23|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190323131755/https://www.rferl.org/a/it-s-official-kazakh-capital-now-called-nur-sultan/29837884.html|archive-date= 23 March 2019|url-status= live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.akorda.kz/ru/legal_acts/decrees/o-pereimenovanii-goroda-astany-stolicy-respubliki-kazahstan-v-gorod-nur-sultan-stolicu-respubliki-kazahstan|title= О переименовании города Астаны – столицы Республики Казахстан в город Нур-Султан – столицу Республики Казахстан – Официальный сайт Президента Республики Казахстан|website= Akorda.kz|access-date= 2019-03-23|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190323125628/http://www.akorda.kz/ru/legal_acts/decrees/o-pereimenovanii-goroda-astany-stolicy-respubliki-kazahstan-v-gorod-nur-sultan-stolicu-respubliki-kazahstan|archive-date= 23 March 2019|url-status= live}}</ref>

The city lies on the banks of the Ishim River in the north-central part of Kazakhstan, within the Akmola Region, though administered as a city with special status separately from the rest of the region. A 2020 official estimate reported a population of 1,136,008 within the city limits, making it the second-largest city in the country, after [[Place:Almaty|Almaty]], which had been the capital until 1997.<ref name="stat.gov.kz" /> The city became the capital of Kazakhstan in 1997; since then it has grown and developed economically into one of the most modern cities in [[Place:Central Asia|Central Asia]].<ref name="jtmodern">{{cite news |title= Astana, a city of modern structures |url= http://www.thejakartapost.com/travel/2017/07/07/astana-a-city-of-modern-structures.html |agency= Jakarta Times |access-date= 17 June 2018 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180617065756/http://www.thejakartapost.com/travel/2017/07/07/astana-a-city-of-modern-structures.html |archive-date= 17 June 2018 |url-status= live}}</ref><ref name="Kisho">{{cite news |title= Astana, Kazakhstan: the space station in the steppes |url= https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/aug/08/astana-kazakhstan-space-station-steppes |agency= The Guardian |access-date=11 December 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170221005957/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/aug/08/astana-kazakhstan-space-station-steppes |archive-date= 21 February 2017 |url-status= live}}</ref> In 2021, the government selected Nur-Sultan as one of the 10 priority destinations for tourist development.<ref>{{cite web|last=June 2021|first=Adelya Dauletkyzy in Tourism on 16|date=2021-06-16|title=Kazakhstan Selects Top 10 Tourist Destinations|url=https://astanatimes.com/2021/06/kazakhstan-selects-top-10-tourist-destinations/|access-date=2021-09-27|website=The Astana Times|language=en|archive-date=14 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210814100536/https://astanatimes.com/2021/06/kazakhstan-selects-top-10-tourist-destinations/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Modern Nur-Sultan is a planned city, following the process of [[Place:List of purpose-built national capitals|other planned capitals]].<ref name="Astana">{{cite news |newspaper= The Guardian |title= Astana, Kazakhstan: the space station in the steppes |url= https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/aug/08/astana-kazakhstan-space-station-steppes |date= 8 August 2010 |access-date= 20 February 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150211102126/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/aug/08/astana-kazakhstan-space-station-steppes |archive-date= 11 February 2015 |url-status= live}}</ref> After it became the capital of Kazakhstan, the city dramatically changed its shape. The city's master-plan was designed by Japanese architect Kisho Kurokawa.<ref name="Astana" /> As the seat of the government of Kazakhstan, Nur-Sultan is the site of the Parliament House, the Supreme Court, the Ak Orda Presidential Palace and numerous government departments and agencies. It is home to a range of futuristic buildings, including many [[Engineering:Skyscraper|skyscraper]]s.<ref>{{cite news|newspaper= The New York Times|last=Myers |first=Steven Lee |title= Kazakhstan's Futuristic Capital, Complete With Pyramid|url= https://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/13/world/asia/13astana.html?_r=0 |date= 13 October 2006|access-date= 6 October 2014|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160719005212/http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/13/world/asia/13astana.html?_r=0 |archive-date= 19 July 2016|url-status= live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news
 |newspaper= The Guardian
 |title= Astana, the futuristic frontier of architecture
 |url= https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/gallery/2010/aug/08/architecture-kazakhstan
 |date= 8 August 2010
 |access-date= 6 October 2014
 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20141009144338/http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/gallery/2010/aug/08/architecture-kazakhstan
 |archive-date= 9 October 2014
 |url-status= live
}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
 |publisher= CNN
 |title= Astana: The world's weirdest capital city
 |author= Daisy Carrington
 |url= http://edition.cnn.com/2012/07/13/world/asia/eye-on-kazakhstan-astana/index.html
 |date= 13 July 2012
 |access-date= 6 October 2014
 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20141009105840/http://edition.cnn.com/2012/07/13/world/asia/eye-on-kazakhstan-astana/index.html
 |archive-date= 9 October 2014
 |url-status= live
}}</ref>

== Names ==
Many centuries ago, the '''Bozok''' settlement was located on the territory of modern Nur-Sultan. '''Akmola''' settlement was founded in 1830. This name was possibly given after a local landmark—''Akmola'' literally means "white grave" or "holy city" in [[Social:Kazakh language|Kazakh]]—although this theory is not universally accepted.{{sfn|Pospelov|1993|pp=24–25}} In 1832, it was granted town status and renamed Akmolinsk.{{sfn|Pospelov|1993|pp=24–25}} On 10 December 1997, the city replaced [[Place:Almaty|Almaty]] as the capital of Kazakhstan. On 6 May 1998, it was renamed '''Astana''', which means "capital city" in Kazakh.<ref name="The history of Astana">{{cite web |publisher=Akimat of Astana |title=The history of Astana |url=http://astana.gov.kz/en/modules/material/42 |date=19 January 2013 |access-date=6 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141007033517/http://astana.gov.kz/en/modules/material/42 |archive-date=7 October 2014 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all}}</ref> On 20 March 2019, the capital was renamed from Astana to its current name Nur-Sultan in honor of the long-ruling Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev, shortly after his resignation.<ref name="Inform">{{cite web|title=Parliament approved renaming of Astana as Nursultan|url=https://www.inform.kz/en/parliament-approved-renaming-of-astana-as-nursultan_a3509430|publisher=Kazinform|access-date=20 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190320192138/https://www.inform.kz/en/parliament-approved-renaming-of-astana-as-nursultan_a3509430|archive-date=20 March 2019|url-status=live|date=20 March 2019}}</ref><ref name="DW">{{cite web |title=Nursultan, not Astana – Kazakhstan renames capital to honor Nazarbayev |url=https://www.dw.com/en/nursultan-not-astana-kazakhstan-renames-capital-to-honor-nazarbayev/a-47984590 |publisher=Deutsche Welle |access-date=23 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190322130343/https://www.dw.com/en/nursultan-not-astana-kazakhstan-renames-capital-to-honor-nazarbayev/a-47984590 |archive-date=22 March 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> ''Nur-Sultan'' ({{linktext|нұр}}-{{linktext|сұлтан}}) can be read literally as "radiant sultan" in the Kazakh and [[Social:Arabic|Arabic]] languages.

The city also has an alternative name, known as ''Tselinograd''. The name has been in use since 1961 to mark the city's evolution as a cultural and administrative centre of the Virgin Lands campaign.<ref>{{cite book |title=The Current Digest of the Post-Soviet Press |date=1994 |publisher=Current Digest of the Soviet Press |page=20 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XNUMAQAAMAAJ |language=en |access-date=31 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180629211723/https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=XNUMAQAAMAAJ |archive-date=29 June 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref>{{sfn|Pospelov|1993|pp=24–25}}

==History==
=== Middle Ages (VIII-XVIII)===
Many centuries ago, the '''Bozok''' settlement was located on the territory of modern Nur-Sultan. It was a military fortress of the Steppe section of the Great Silk Road. The etymology of the Turkic word "Boz" carries several meanings such as ‘untouched earth’, ‘virgin soil’ and ‘feather grass’. It was a large settlement of the 12-14th centuries. At present, Nur-Sultan is expanding to the territory of ancient Bozok.<ref>{{cite web|author=From Bozok to a Modern Capital: the Long Journey Astana has Made Thus Far|url=https://e-history.kz/en/news/show/7144/|access-date=13 January 2015|publisher=e-history.kz}}</ref>

=== Early years (1830–1918) ===
The settlement of Akmoly was established on the Ishim River in 1830 as the seat of an okrug. In 1832, the settlement was granted town status and named ''Akmolinsk''.{{sfn|Pospelov|1993|pp=24–25}} The fairly advantageous position of the town was clear as early as 1863. It describes how picket roads and lines{{definition needed|date=June 2022}} connected this geographic center to Kargaly in the East, Aktau fort in the South and through Atbasar to [[Place:Kokshetau|Kokshetau]] in the West. In 1838, at the height of the great national and liberation movement headed by Kenesary Khan, Akmolinsk fortress was burned.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=e-history.kz|title=Revolt of 1837—1847 under the leadership of khan Kenesary|url=http://e-history.kz/en/contents/view/272|access-date=13 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150114232603/http://e-history.kz/en/contents/view/272|archive-date=14 January 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> After the repression of the liberation movement, the fortress was rebuilt. On 16 July 1863, Akmolinsk was officially declared an uyezd town.<ref name="History of Astana">{{cite web|publisher=e-history.kz|title=History of Astana|url=http://e-history.kz/en/contents/view/380|access-date=13 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150114232709/http://e-history.kz/en/contents/view/380|archive-date=14 January 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1869, Akmolinsk external district and department were cancelled, and Akmolinsk became the center of the newly established Akmolinsk Oblast.{{citation needed|date=March 2019}} In 1879, Major General Dubelt proposed to build a railway between Tyumen and Akmolinsk to the Ministry of Communications of Russia. {{citation needed|date=March 2019}} In the course of the first 30 years of its existence, the population of Akmola numbered a trifle more than 2,000 people. However, over the next 30 years the city's population increased by three times according to volosts and settlements of the Akmolinsk Oblast. In 1893, Akmolinsk was an uyezd with a 6,428 strong population, 3 [[Engineering:Church (building)|churches]], 5 schools and [[Organization:College|college]]s and 3 [[History:Factory|factories]].{{citation needed|date=March 2019}}

=== Soviet era (1918–1991) ===
During [[Social:World War II|World War II]], Akmolinsk served as a route for the transport of engineering tools and equipment from evacuated [[History:Factory|plant]]s in the [[Place:Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic|Ukrainian SSR]], Byelorussian SSR, and [[Place:Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic|Russian SFSR]] located in the oblasts of the Kazakh SSR. Local industries were appointed to respond to war needs, assisting the country to provide the battle and home fronts with all materials needed. In the post-war years, Akmolinsk became a beacon of economic revival in the west of the [[Place:Soviet Union|Soviet Union]] ruined by the war. Additionally, many Russian-Germans were resettled here after being deported under {{wipe|Joseph Stalin}}'s rule.<ref>{{cite web|author=S. Kurmanova|title=Deportation of Volga Germans to Kazakhstan: Causes and Consequences|url=http://e-history.kz/media/upload/1488/2014/06/26/18cc9c944aa4adcf1f67b8f1f45826ca.pdf|access-date=13 January 2015|publisher=e-history.kz|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150122234513/http://e-history.kz/media/upload/1488/2014/06/26/18cc9c944aa4adcf1f67b8f1f45826ca.pdf|archive-date=22 January 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1954, Northern Kazakh SSR oblasts became a territory of the Virgin Lands Campaign, in order to turn the region into a second grain producer for the [[Place:Soviet Union|Soviet Union]].<ref>{{cite book|title=Kazakhstan |date=7 September 2018 |publisher=Bradt Travel Guides; Third edition |isbn=978-1784770921|page= 71|author1=Paul Brummell |df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=Ian MacWilliam|title=In Virgin Lands, a Dream Ends|url=http://www.themoscowtimes.com/sitemap/free/1994/4/article/in-virgin-lands-a-dream-ends/213516.html|date=20 April 1994|access-date=13 January 2015|newspaper=The Moscow Times|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150114232557/http://www.themoscowtimes.com/sitemap/free/1994/4/article/in-virgin-lands-a-dream-ends/213516.html|archive-date=14 January 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> In December 1960, Central Committee made a resolution to create the Tselinniy Krai, which comprised five regions of the Northern Kazakh SSR oblasts.{{sfn|Kozlov|Gilburd|2013|p=293}} Akmolinsk Oblast was ceased to exist as a separate administrative entity.{{sfn|Kozlov|Gilburd|2013|p=293}} Its districts were directly subordinated to the new krai administration, and Akmolinsk became the krai capital, as well as the administrative seat of the new Virgin Lands economic region.{{sfn|Kozlov|Gilburd|2013|p=293}} On 14 March 1961, Khrushchev suggested the city should have a name corresponding to its role in the Virgin Lands Campaign.{{sfn|Khrushchev|2010|p=739}} On 20 March 1961, the Supreme Soviet of the Kazakh SSR renamed Akmolinsk ''Tselinograd''.{{sfn|Khrushchev|2010|p=739}} On 24 April 1961, the region was reconstituted as ''Tselinograd Oblast''.{{sfn|Kozlov|Gilburd|2013|p=293}} In the 1960s, Tselinograd was completely transformed. In 1963, work on the first three new high-rise housing districts began.{{sfn|Kozlov|Gilburd|2013|p=295}} In addition, the city received a number of new monumental public buildings, including the Virgin Lands Palace, a Palace of Youth, a House of Soviets, a new airport, and several sports venues.{{sfn|Kozlov|Gilburd|2013|p=296}} In 1971, the Tselinniy Krai was abolished and Tselinograd became the centre of the oblast.{{citation needed|date=March 2019}}

=== Contemporary era (1991–present) ===
After the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the consequent independence of Kazakhstan, the city's original name was restored in the modified form ''Akmola''.{{sfn|Pospelov|1993|pp=24–25}} On 6 July 1994, the Supreme Council of Kazakhstan adopted the decree "On the transfer of the capital of Kazakhstan".<ref name="Astana - the capital of the Republic of Kazakhstan">{{cite web|publisher=e-history.kz|title=Astana – the capital of the Republic of Kazakhstan|url=http://e-history.kz/en/contents/view/378|access-date=23 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150223121810/http://e-history.kz/en/contents/view/378|archive-date=23 February 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> After the capital of Kazakhstan was moved to Akmola on 10 December 1997, the city was consequently renamed Astana in 1998.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/country_profiles/1298395.stm |title=Timeline: Kazakhstan |work=BBC News |date=31 January 2012 |access-date=24 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090519165540/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/country_profiles/1298395.stm |archive-date=19 May 2009 |url-status=live}}</ref> On 10 June 1998, Astana was presented as the capital internationally.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.akorda.kz/en/category/astana |title=Astana – the capital of the Republic of Kazakhstan |publisher=Official site of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan |access-date=10 March 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150317063010/http://akorda.kz/en/category/astana |archive-date=17 March 2015}}</ref> Due to several determined advantages, Astana was chosen as the capital: large urban areas, favorable geographical position, proximity to the major economic centers of the region, considerable demographic capacity, good transportation facilities, and a relatively favorable climate.<ref>{{cite web|title=Nur-sultan|url=https://samarkandtours.com/kazakhstan/nur-sultan/|url-status=live|access-date=April 2, 2021|archive-date=15 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210415101634/https://samarkandtours.com/kazakhstan/nur-sultan/}}</ref> On 16 July 1999, Astana was awarded the medal and title of the City of Peace by [[Organization:UNESCO|UNESCO]].<ref name="Astana - the capital of the Republic of Kazakhstan" /> On 19 March 2019, president Nursultan Nazarbayev resigned, and on 23 March the city was renamed Nur-Sultan.<ref>{{cite news |title=Politics this week |url=https://www.economist.com/the-world-this-week/2019/03/23/politics-this-week |access-date=24 March 2019 |newspaper=The Economist |date=23 March 2019 |page=7 |quote=Nursultan Nazarbayev, Kazakhstan’s strongman president of 30 years, resigned abruptly. He retains considerable influence; his daughter is the new chairman of the Senate and the constitution gives him lifetime immunity from prosecution. The capital, Astana, is to be renamed Nursultan after him. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190324114109/https://www.economist.com/the-world-this-week/2019/03/23/politics-this-week |archive-date=24 March 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> While it is officially called Nur-Sultan, many residents still refer to it as Astana.

==Geography==
[[File:Astana (Kazakhstan), satellite image 2017-07-24.jpg|thumb|250px|left|Satellite image of Nur-Sultan (Astana) and vicinities]]
Nur-Sultan is almost 1,000 km (600 miles) away from the country's largest city and former capital, [[Place:Almaty|Almaty]]. The nearest big cities are [[Place:Karaganda|Karaganda]] (200 km) and Omsk in Russia (450 km).

===Topography===
Nur-Sultan (Astana) is located in central Kazakhstan on the Ishim River in a very flat, semi-arid steppe region which covers most of the country's territory. It is at 51° 10' north latitude and 71° 26' east longitude. The city encompasses {{convert|722.0|sqkm|1}}. The elevation of Nur-Sultan (Astana) is {{convert|347|m}} [[Metres above sea level|above sea level]]. Nur-Sultan is in a spacious steppe landscape, in the transitional area between the north of Kazakhstan and the extremely thinly settled national centre, because of the Ishim River. The older boroughs lie north of the river, whilst the new boroughs are located south of the Ishim.

=== Time ===
The [[UTC offset|time offset]] from the [[Physics:Coordinated Universal Time|UTC]] used by Nur-Sultan is 6 hours ahead of UTC, or [[UTC+06:00|UTC+6:00]]. This is also used by most of Kazakhstan and [[Place:Almaty|Almaty]].

===Climate===
Nur-Sultan is the second-coldest national capital in the world after [[Place:Ulaanbaatar|Ulaanbaatar]], Mongolia, a position formerly held by Canada's capital, [[Place:Ottawa|Ottawa]], until Nur-Sultan attained capital city status in 1997.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=The Mongolist|author=Brian White|title=Ulaanbaatar is the Coldest Capital|url=http://www.themongolist.com/blog/society/43-ulaanbaatar-is-the-coldest-capital.html|date=9 January 2013|access-date=19 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150226225001/http://www.themongolist.com/blog/society/43-ulaanbaatar-is-the-coldest-capital.html|archive-date=26 February 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|publisher=Canada.com |title=Still the third-coldest capital, despite balmy temperatures |url=http://www.canada.com/story.html?id=f23f6479-3274-493b-9f74-d8d8cb5418be |date=4 January 2007 |access-date=19 February 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150606224805/http://www.canada.com/story.html?id=f23f6479-3274-493b-9f74-d8d8cb5418be |archive-date=6 June 2015 |df=dmy}}</ref> Nur-Sultan has an extreme continental climate with warm summers (featuring occasional brief rain showers) and long, very cold, dry winters. Summer temperatures occasionally reach {{convert|35|C}} while {{convert|-30|to|-35|C}} is not unusual between mid-December and early March. Typically, the city's river is frozen over between the second week of November and the beginning of April. Nur-Sultan has a well-deserved reputation among Kazakhs for its frequent high winds, the effects of which are felt particularly strongly on the fast-developing but relatively exposed Left Bank area of the city.

Overall, Nur-Sultan has a [[Earth:Humid continental climate|humid continental climate]] ([[Earth:Köppen climate classification|Köppen climate classification]] ''Dfb'').<ref>[[commons:File:Asia Koppen Map.png|Updated Central, South, Southeast, and Eastern Asian and Siberian Map of the Köppen climate classification system.]]</ref> The average annual temperature in Nur-Sultan is {{convert|3.5|C}}. January is the coldest month with an average temperature of {{convert|-14.5|C}} and record lowest is in January 1893's cold wave reaching temperatures down to {{convert|-51.6|C}}.<ref name="pogoda">{{cite web | url = http://www.pogodaiklimat.ru/climate/35188.htm | title = Weather and Climate-The Climate of Astana | access-date = 3 January 2022 | language = ru | publisher = Weather and Climate | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150208191629/http://www.pogodaiklimat.ru/climate/35188.htm | archive-date = 8 February 2015 | url-status = live}}</ref> July is the hottest month with an average temperature of {{convert|20.6|C}}.<ref name="pogoda"/>

{{Weather box
|width = 
|location = Nur-Sultan (1991–2020, extremes 1881–present)
|metric first = y
|single line = y
|Jan record high C = 5.0
|Feb record high C = 8.2
|Mar record high C = 22.1
|Apr record high C = 29.7
|May record high C = 36.1
|Jun record high C = 40.1
|Jul record high C = 41.6
|Aug record high C = 38.7
|Sep record high C = 36.2
|Oct record high C = 26.7
|Nov record high C = 18.5
|Dec record high C = 5.2
|year record high C = 41.6
|Jan high C = -10.3
|Feb high C = -8.8
|Mar high C = -1.5
|Apr high C = 12.2
|May high C = 20.9
|Jun high C = 25.8
|Jul high C = 26.6
|Aug high C = 25.5
|Sep high C = 18.9
|Oct high C = 10.4
|Nov high C = -1.3
|Dec high C = -8.0
|year high C = 9.2
|Jan mean C = -14.5
|Feb mean C = -13.6
|Mar mean C = -6.0
|Apr mean C = 6.5
|May mean C = 14.5
|Jun mean C = 19.6
|Jul mean C = 20.6
|Aug mean C = 19.1
|Sep mean C = 12.6
|Oct mean C = 5.0
|Nov mean C = -5.2
|Dec mean C = -12.0
|year mean C = 3.9
|Jan low C = -18.7
|Feb low C = -18.0
|Mar low C = -10.4
|Apr low C = 1.2
|May low C = 8.2
|Jun low C = 13.4
|Jul low C = 14.9
|Aug low C = 13.0
|Sep low C = 6.8
|Oct low C = 0.5
|Nov low C = -8.7
|Dec low C = -16.0
|year low C = -1.2
|Jan record low C = -51.6
|Feb record low C = -48.9
|Mar record low C = -37.2
|Apr record low C = -27.8
|May record low C = -10.8
|Jun record low C = -1.5
|Jul record low C = 2.3
|Aug record low C = -2.2
|Sep record low C = -8.2
|Oct record low C = -25.3
|Nov record low C = -39.2
|Dec record low C = -43.5
|year record low C = -51.6
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 18
|Feb precipitation mm = 17
|Mar precipitation mm = 20
|Apr precipitation mm = 22
|May precipitation mm = 33
|Jun precipitation mm = 40
|Jul precipitation mm = 56
|Aug precipitation mm = 31
|Sep precipitation mm = 21
|Oct precipitation mm = 26
|Nov precipitation mm = 29
|Dec precipitation mm = 25
|year precipitation mm = 338
|Jan snow depth cm = 19
|Feb snow depth cm = 23
|Mar snow depth cm = 19
|Apr snow depth cm = 1
|May snow depth cm = 0
|Jun snow depth cm = 0
|Jul snow depth cm = 0
|Aug snow depth cm = 0
|Sep snow depth cm = 0
|Oct snow depth cm = 0
|Nov snow depth cm = 4
|Dec snow depth cm = 13
|year snow depth cm = 23
|Jan humidity = 78
|Feb humidity = 77
|Mar humidity = 79
|Apr humidity = 64
|May humidity = 54
|Jun humidity = 53
|Jul humidity = 59
|Aug humidity = 57
|Sep humidity = 59
|Oct humidity = 68
|Nov humidity = 80
|Dec humidity = 79
|year humidity = 67
|Jan rain days = 2
|Feb rain days = 2
|Mar rain days = 5
|Apr rain days = 9
|May rain days = 15
|Jun rain days = 13
|Jul rain days = 15
|Aug rain days = 13
|Sep rain days = 12
|Oct rain days = 10
|Nov rain days = 7
|Dec rain days = 3
|year rain days = 106
|Jan snow days = 25
|Feb snow days = 23
|Mar snow days = 19
|Apr snow days = 6
|May snow days = 1
|Jun snow days = 0.1
|Jul snow days = 0
|Aug snow days = 0
|Sep snow days = 1
|Oct snow days = 7
|Nov snow days = 18
|Dec snow days = 24
|year snow days = 124
|Jan sun = 103
|Feb sun = 147
|Mar sun = 192
|Apr sun = 238
|May sun = 301
|Jun sun = 336
|Jul sun = 336
|Aug sun = 294
|Sep sun = 230
|Oct sun = 136
|Nov sun = 100
|Dec sun = 94
|year sun = 2507
|source 1 = Pogoda.ru.net<ref name="pogoda"/>
|source 2 = NOAA (sun, 1961–1990)<ref name="NOAA">{{cite web |url=https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/data/normals/WMO/1961-1990/TABLES/REG_II/KS/35188.TXT |title=Akmola (Astana) Climate Normals 1961–1990 |publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) |access-date=2 November 2021 |archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20171011222703/ftp://ftp.atdd.noaa.gov/pub/GCOS/WMO-Normals/TABLES/REG_II/KS/35188.TXT |archive-date=11 October 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref>
|date = August 2010
}}

==Demographics==
{{Historical populations|1989|281252|1999|326900|2002|493100|2010|649139|2016|872655|2020|1136008}}

=== Population ===
As of January 2020, the population of Nur-Sultan (Astana) is 1,136,008;<ref name="stat.gov.kz">{{cite web|url=https://stat.gov.kz/region/268012?lang=en|url-status=dead|title=Archived copy|access-date=8 May 2020|archive-date=26 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726100426/https://stat.gov.kz/region/268012?lang=en}}</ref> over double the 2002 population of 493,000.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.demoscope.ru/weekly/2009/0389/analit07.php|title=Население Астаны|website=www.demoscope.ru|access-date=2017-12-31|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180113032320/http://www.demoscope.ru/weekly/2009/0389/analit07.php|archive-date=13 January 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

As of 2018, ethnic Kazakhs made up 80.6 % of the city population, representing an increase from 17% during the country's independence.<ref>{{cite web|last=Lillis|first=Joanna|url=https://marginalrevolution.com/marginalrevolution/2019/03/dark-shadows-inside-the-secret-world-of-kazakhstan.html|title=Dark Shadows: Inside the Secret World of Kazakhstan|access-date=25 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190322144916/https://marginalrevolution.com/marginalrevolution/2019/03/dark-shadows-inside-the-secret-world-of-kazakhstan.html|archive-date=22 March 2019|url-status=dead|date=20 March 2019}}</ref> 

Ethnic groups (2020):<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.stat.gov.kz/api/getFile/?docId=ESTAT355258 |title=Численность населения Республики Казахстан по отдельным этносам на начало 2020 года |publisher=Stat.kz |access-date=3 August 2020 |archive-date=27 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200527204929/https://www.stat.gov.kz/api/getFile/?docId=ESTAT355258 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* Kazakh: 80.6%
*Russian: 11.7%
*Ukrainian: 1%
*Tatar: 1.08%
*Uzbek: 0.96%
* Others: 4.65%


In 1989, Tselinograd had a population of 281,000. The ethnic mix was about 17.7% Kazakh, 54.1% Russian and 28.2% other ethnic groups.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.angelfire.com/rnb/bashiri/Astana/Astana.html |title=Astana |publisher=Angelfire.com |access-date=21 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121108032824/http://www.angelfire.com/rnb/bashiri/Astana/Astana.html |archive-date=8 November 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref>

By 2007, Astana's population had more than doubled since becoming the capital, to over 600,000, and it topped 1 million in 2017. Migrant workers—legal and illegal—have been attracted from across Kazakhstan and neighbouring states such as Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan, and Nur-Sultan is a magnet for young professionals seeking to build a career.<ref name="eurasianet.org">{{cite web |url=http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insight/articles/eav070907.shtml |title=Kazakhstan's Capital Holds a Lavish Anniversary Celebration |publisher=EurasiaNet.org |date=9 July 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071013185417/http://eurasianet.org/departments/insight/articles/eav070907.shtml |archive-date=13 October 2007 |access-date=9 July 2007}}</ref>

=== Religion ===
[[Religion:Islam|Islam]] is the predominant religion of the city. Other religions practiced are [[Religion:Christianity|Christianity]] (primarily [[Religion:Russian Orthodox Church|Russian Orthodoxy]], Roman Catholicism, and [[Religion:Protestantism|Protestantism]]), [[Religion:Judaism|Judaism]], and [[Religion:Buddhism|Buddhism]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.astana-hotels.net/astana/religion.htm|title=Religion in Astana - Astana|website=www.astana-hotels.net|access-date=2017-12-31|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180101140945/http://www.astana-hotels.net/astana/religion.htm|archive-date=1 January 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The Palace of Peace and Reconciliation was specially constructed in 2006 to host the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions. It contains accommodations for different religions: Judaism, Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, [[Religion:Hinduism|Hinduism]], [[Philosophy:Taoism|Taoism]] and other faiths.

===Metropolitan area===
The metropolitan area centered upon Nur-Sultan (Astana) includes the Arshaly, Shortandy, Tselinograd and (partially) Akkol districts of Akmola Region. The area contains 1.2 million people.<ref name="informburo">{{cite web|last1=Жулмухаметова|first1=Жадра|title=Чиновники работают над тем, чтобы уместить в Астане два миллиона человек|url=https://informburo.kz/novosti/chinovniki-rabotayut-nad-tem-chtoby-umestit-v-astane-dva-milliona-chelovek.html|language=ru|date=31 October 2017|access-date=22 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171116035031/https://informburo.kz/novosti/chinovniki-rabotayut-nad-tem-chtoby-umestit-v-astane-dva-milliona-chelovek.html|archive-date=16 November 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Economy==
[[File:KazMunayGaz in Astana Kazakhstan.jpg|thumb|KazMunayGas headquarters]]
Nur-Sultan's economy is based on [[Social:Trade|trade]], [[Finance:Industrial production|industrial production]], transport, [[Biology:Communication|communication]] and construction. The city's industrial production is mainly focused on producing building materials, foodstuff and [[Engineering:Mechanical engineering|mechanical engineering]].

The Astana International Financial Center (AIFC) opened in July 2018 to become a hub for financial services in Central Asia.<ref name="aifchub">{{cite web |title=Kazakhstan: Staff Concluding Statement of the 2018 Article IV Mission |url=https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2018/06/28/ms062818-kazakhstan-staff-concluding-statement-of-the-2018-article-iv-mission |publisher=IMF |access-date=28 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180629022202/https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2018/06/28/ms062818-kazakhstan-staff-concluding-statement-of-the-2018-article-iv-mission |archive-date=29 June 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Nur-Sultan is the headquarters of [[Finance:State-owned enterprise|state-owned corporations]] such as Samruk-Kazyna, Kazakhstan Temir Zholy, KazMunayGas, KazTransOil, Kazatomprom, KEGOC, Kazpost and Kazakhtelecom.

The shift of the capital has given it a powerful boost to Nur-Sultan's economic development. The city's high economic growth rate has attracted numerous investors. In the 16 years since Nur-Sultan became the capital, the volume of investments has increased by almost 30 times, the gross regional product has increased by 90 times,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://en.tengrinews.kz/politics_sub/Astana-celebrates-16th-anniversary-as-Kazakhstans-capital-254091/ |title=Astana celebrates 16th anniversary as Kazakhstan's capital |publisher=Tengrinews.kz |date=9 July 2014 |access-date=19 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150219114057/http://en.tengrinews.kz/politics_sub/Astana-celebrates-16th-anniversary-as-Kazakhstans-capital-254091/ |archive-date=19 February 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref> and industrial output has increased by 11 times. The city's Gross Regional Product makes up about 8.5 per cent of the republic's [[Finance:Gross domestic product|Gross domestic product]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.undp.kz/library_of_publications/files/2617-27836.pdf |title=Poverty in Kazakhstan: Causes and Cures |access-date=19 February 2015 |publisher=UNDP Kazakhstan |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303183619/http://www.undp.kz/library_of_publications/files/2617-27836.pdf |archive-date=3 March 2016}}</ref>

The Nur-Sultan – New City [[Finance:Special economic zone|special economic zone]] was established in 2001 to help develop industry and increase the attractiveness of the city to investors.<ref name="sez">{{cite web|title=Five projects to be launched in Astana industrial park this year |url=http://www.timesca.com/news/14947-five-projects-to-be-launched-in-astana-industrial-park-this-year |publisher=The Times of Central Asia |date=5 February 2015 |access-date=20 February 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150219233616/http://www.timesca.com/news/14947-five-projects-to-be-launched-in-astana-industrial-park-this-year |archive-date=19 February 2015}}</ref> The SEZ plans to commission five projects worth 20 billion KZT (around $108 million) in the Industrial Park No. 1 in 2015.<ref name="sez"/> The projects include construction of a plant for production of diesel engines, a [[Finance:Fast food|fast food]] complex, temporary storage warehouses and a business center, a furniture factory, and production of military and civil engineering machinery.<ref name="sez"/> The new Nur-Sultan/Astana International Financial Centre opened in July 2018.

Nur-Sultan's administration is promoting the development of small and medium-sized businesses through the cooperation of the Sovereign Welfare Fund Samruk-Kazyna and National Economic Chamber. Support is provided by a special programme of crediting.<ref>{{cite web|title=Over 170 thousand of people involved in small and medium enterprise in Astana |url=http://astana.gov.kz/en/modules/material/291 |publisher=Akimat of Astana |date=14 March 2014 |access-date=26 January 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150216030904/http://astana.gov.kz/en/modules/material/291 |archive-date=16 February 2015}}</ref> As a result, the number of small and medium-sized businesses increased by 13.7% to over 96,000 compared to the previous year as of 1 July 2015.<ref name="sme12">{{cite web|title=Number of small and medium-sized business entities grew by 13.7% in Astana|url=http://www.inform.kz/eng/article/2796781|website=inform.kz|access-date=14 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150714234612/http://www.inform.kz/eng/article/2796781|archive-date=14 July 2015|url-status=live|date=14 July 2015}}</ref> In addition, the number of people employed in small and medium-sized business increased by 17.8% to over 234,000 people as of 1 April 2015.<ref name="sme12"/>

Nur-Sultan was included in the list of top 21 intelligent communities of the world, according to the report released by the Intelligent Community Forum in October 2016. The rating list includes the cities, regions and communities which use digital instruments for the construction of local economy and society.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Smart21 Communities of the Year|url=http://www.intelligentcommunity.org/smart21|website=www.intelligentcommunity.org|access-date=4 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170105084101/http://www.intelligentcommunity.org/smart21|archive-date=5 January 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 2018, Nur-Sultan attracted more than three trillion tenge (US$7.91 billion) in foreign direct investment, a record amount for the city. The growth was achieved due to a large number of construction projects.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://astanatimes.com/2019/04/nur-sultan-launches-effort-to-attract-other-year-of-record-foreign-direct-investment-says-city-administration/|title=Nur-Sultan launches effort to attract another year of record foreign direct investment, says city administration|last=April 2019|first=Dilshat Zhussupova in Nur-Sultan on 26|date=26 April 2019|website=The Astana Times|language=en|access-date=2019-07-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190709171720/https://astanatimes.com/2019/04/nur-sultan-launches-effort-to-attract-other-year-of-record-foreign-direct-investment-says-city-administration/|archive-date=9 July 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Tourism becomes one of the factors that drive economic growth in the city. Nur-Sultan is among the top ten most attractive tourist cities in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).<ref>{{cite web |title=Nur-Sultan, Almaty among 10 most popular tourist cities in CIS |url=https://astanatimes.com/2019/10/nur-sultan-almaty-among-10-most-popular-tourist-cities-in-cis/ |website=astanatimes.com |access-date=24 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191024141224/https://astanatimes.com/2019/10/nur-sultan-almaty-among-10-most-popular-tourist-cities-in-cis/ |archive-date=24 October 2019 |url-status=dead |date=16 October 2019}}</ref>

== Diplomacy platform ==
Nur-Sultan has become a platform for high-profile diplomatic talks and summits on critical global issues. Nur-Sultan has hosted multiple rounds of talks between the [[Place:Syria|Syrian Arab Republic government]] led by Bashar al-Assad and Syrian opposition.<ref name="astanadiplo">{{cite news |title=Kazakhstan's New Capital Is Growing Up Quick |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/arielcohen/2018/06/08/kazakhstans-new-capital-is-growing-up-quick/2/#78fabb225192 |agency=Forbes |access-date=28 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180629023120/https://www.forbes.com/sites/arielcohen/2018/06/08/kazakhstans-new-capital-is-growing-up-quick/2/#78fabb225192 |archive-date=29 June 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> The 12th Ministerial Conference of the [[Organization:World Trade Organization|World Trade Organization]] (WTO) was originally scheduled to take place in June 2020 in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan, but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In May 2020, WTO members discussed Kazakhstan's offer to reschedule the conference to June 2021 but postponed taking a decision due to the ongoing pandemic. In April 2021, members agreed that MC12 would take place in Geneva from 30 November to 3 December.<ref name="mc12wto">{{cite web |url=https://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news21_e/minis_01mar21_e.htm |title=Twelfth Ministerial Conference to take place in Geneva in late 2021 |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=1 March 2021 |website=www.wto.org |publisher=World Trade Organization |access-date=16 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210301122823/https://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news21_e/minis_01mar21_e.htm |archive-date=1 March 2021 }}</ref> Since 2003, Nur-Sultan has hosted the Congress on World and Traditional Religions, which is a diverse gathering of religious leaders to discuss religious harmony and ending terrorism and extremism.<ref name="vthcongress">{{cite web |title=Vth Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions |url=https://en.unesco.org/events/vth-congress-leaders-world-and-traditional-religions |publisher=UNESCO |access-date=28 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180629021937/https://en.unesco.org/events/vth-congress-leaders-world-and-traditional-religions |archive-date=29 June 2018 |url-status=live |date=27 July 2015}}</ref>

==Cityscape==
[[File:Downtown Astana With The National Concert Hall (6246435844).jpg|thumb|left|The National Concert hall]]

Nur-Sultan (Astana) is subdivided into four districts. Almaty District was created on 6 May 1998 by presidential decree. The district's territory encompasses an area of {{convert|21054|ha|acre sqmi|abbr=off}} with a population of 375,938 people. The district has five villages. Yesil District, which is also called left bank of the city, was created on 5 August 2008 by presidential decree. The district's territory encompasses an area of {{convert|31179|ha|acre sqmi|abbr=on}} with a population of 119,929 people. Saryarka District was created on 6 May 1998 by presidential decree. The district's territory encompasses an area of {{convert|19202|ha|acre sqmi|abbr=on}} with a population of 339,286 people. Baykonyr District was created on 16 March 2018 by presidential decree. The district's territory encompasses an area of {{convert|18129|ha|acre sqmi|abbr=on}} with a population of 233 351 people.

In April 1998, the Government of Kazakhstan asked architects and [[Engineering:Urban planner|urban planner]]s of international renown to participate in a design competition for the new capital. On 6 October 1998, Japanese architect Kisho Kurokawa was awarded the First Prize.{{sfn|Whyte|2000|p=216}} Kurokawa's proposal aimed to preserve and redevelop the existing city, and create a new city at the south and the east sides of the Ishim River, enabling the Symbiosis of the History and the Future.{{sfn|Whyte|2000|p=216}}

North of the railway line, which crosses Nur-Sultan in an east–west direction, are industrial and poorer residential areas. Between the railway line and the Ishim river is the city centre, where at present intense building activity is occurring. To the west and east are more elevated residential areas with parks and the new area of government administration to the south of the Ishim River. Here many large building projects are under way; for example, the construction of a diplomatic quarter, and government buildings. By 2030, these quarters are to be completed. Nur-Sultan's chief planner, Vladimir Laptev, wants to build a [[Place:Berlin|Berlin]] in a [[Earth:Eurasia|Eurasia]]n style. He has stated that a purely administrative capital such as [[Place:Canberra|Canberra]] is not one of his goals.

{{wide image|Central Downtown Astana pamorama.jpg|1000px|align-cap=center|Panoramic view of the governmental headquarters}}

==Sport==
[[File:Astana Arena (inside interior).JPG|thumb|Astana Arena opened in 2009]]
[[File:Barys Arena.jpg|thumb|Barys Arena in 2015]]

The city has a variety of sports teams. The major association football team is the FC Astana of the Kazakhstan Premier League. Founded in 2009, the FC Astana won six league titles, three Kazakh Cups and five Kazakh Super Cups.<ref>{{cite web |script-title=ru:Достижения |trans-title=Achievements |url=http://www.fca.kz/rus/club_achievements/ |publisher=Astana F.C. |language=ru |access-date=21 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140817234920/http://www.fca.kz/rus/club_achievements/ |archive-date=17 August 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Their home stadium is the Astana Arena, which also serves as a home for the Kazakhstan national football team and the FC Bayterek. The FC Bayterek is a member of the Kazakhstan First Division. They were founded in 2012, to develop youth football.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Total.kz|script-title=ru:ФК "Байтерек" – новый клуб из столицы|trans-title=FC Bayterek – the new club from the capital|language=ru|url=http://total.kz/sport/football/2012/03/30/fk_bayterek_novyy_klub_iz|date=30 March 2012|access-date=21 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140821104623/http://total.kz/sport/football/2012/03/30/fk_bayterek_novyy_klub_iz|archive-date=21 August 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> The FC Astana-1964 is based in the Kazhymukan Munaitpasov Stadium and plays in the Astana Municipal Football League. The club's most successful years were 2000s, when they won 3 league titles.

Nur-Sultan (Astana) is home to several professional ice hockey teams. The Barys Astana, a founding member of the Kontinental Hockey League in 2008 and based in the Barys Arena.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://en.khl.ru/clubs/barys | title=Barys Astana | publisher=Kontinental Hockey League | access-date=7 October 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141007003156/http://en.khl.ru/clubs/barys/ | archive-date=7 October 2014 | url-status=dead}}</ref> The Nomad Astana and HC Astana play in the Kazakhstan Hockey Championship. The Snezhnye Barsy of the Junior Hockey League is a junior team of the Barys Astana.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mhl.khl.ru/en/teams/7152/ |title=Snezhnye Barsy |publisher=Junior Hockey League |access-date=7 October 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141014062317/http://mhl.khl.ru/en/teams/7152/ |archive-date=14 October 2014}}</ref> Nur-Sultan (Astana) annually hosts the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan's Cup ice hockey tournament.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eurasianet.org/node/61685|publisher=Eurasianet.org|title=Ice Comes Early for Astana Hockey Fans|author=Paul Bartlett|date=8 August 2010|access-date=7 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141011175039/http://www.eurasianet.org/node/61685|archive-date=11 October 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>

The Astana Pro Team, founded in 2007, participates in the UCI World Tour.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.uci.ch/road/teams/ |title=UCI WorldTeams |publisher=Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) |access-date=5 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160330164611/http://www.uci.ch/road/teams/ |archive-date=30 March 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> The team is one of the most successful road cycling teams of recent years, winning several grand tours. The BC Astana of the VTB United League and the Kazakhstan Basketball League is the only professional basketball team in Nur-Sultan (Astana).<ref name="BC Astana">{{cite web|url=http://bcastana.kz/en/page/history |title=History |publisher=BC Astana |access-date=7 October 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141009205358/http://bcastana.kz/en/page/history |archive-date=9 October 2014}}</ref> It is the most successful basketball team in Kazakhstan with three Kazakhstan Basketball League titles and four Kazakhstan Basketball Cups.<ref name="BC Astana" /> Its home arena is the Saryarka Velodrome, which is mainly used for track cycling events.<ref name="BC Astana" /> The Saryarka Velodrome hosted the UCI Track Cycling World Cup stage in 2011.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/track/article/tra20111027--Preview--UCI-Track-Cycling-World-Cup-Round-1---Astana--Kazakhstan-0 |title=Preview: 2011 UCI Track World Cup Round 1 |date=27 October 2011 |publisher=BritishCycling.org.uk |access-date=7 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141012064257/http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/track/article/tra20111027--Preview--UCI-Track-Cycling-World-Cup-Round-1---Astana--Kazakhstan-0 |archive-date=12 October 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref> The Astana Presidential Sports Club was founded in 2012, to combine the main sports teams in Nur-Sultan (Astana).<ref>{{cite web|work=The Astana Times|title=Astana Presidential Sports Club Launched |author=Ilyas Omarov |url=http://www.astanatimes.com/2013/07/astana-presidential-sports-club-launched/ |date=4 July 2013 |access-date=21 August 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150325014001/http://www.astanatimes.com/2013/07/astana-presidential-sports-club-launched/ |archive-date=25 March 2015}}</ref> The organization is supported by Sovereign Wealth Fund Samruk-Kazyna.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=insidethegames.biz|title=Astana Presidential Sports Club outlines vision to boost Kazakhstan's image|author=Paul Osborne|url=http://www.insidethegames.biz/sportaccord-convention/1019381-astana-presidential-sports-club-outlines-vision-to-boost-kazakhstan-s-image|date=9 April 2014|access-date=21 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140821163912/http://www.insidethegames.biz/sportaccord-convention/1019381-astana-presidential-sports-club-outlines-vision-to-boost-kazakhstan-s-image|archive-date=21 August 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> The 2011 Asian Winter Games were partly held in the capital. The Alau Ice Palace, hosted the 2015 World Sprint Speed Skating Championships.<ref>{{cite web|work=The Astana Times|title=Alau Ice Palace Hosts World Sprint Skating Championship, Kazakh Skaters Fail to Reach Podium|author=Dmitry Lee|url=http://www.astanatimes.com/2015/03/alau-ice-palace-hosts-world-sprint-skating-championship-kazakh-skaters-fail-reach-podium/|date=3 March 2015|access-date=5 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150315193357/http://www.astanatimes.com/2015/03/alau-ice-palace-hosts-world-sprint-skating-championship-kazakh-skaters-fail-reach-podium/|archive-date=15 March 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> The President's Cup tennis tournament is annually held at the Daulet National Tennis Centre.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kazpravda.kz/en/news/view/22662 |title=International President's Cup tennis tournament kicked off in Astana |author=Nazymgul Kumyspaeva |publisher=KazPravda.kz |access-date=7 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141010173043/http://www.kazpravda.kz/en/news/view/22662 |archive-date=10 October 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref>

The martial art palace was opened on 6 July 2019.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://tengrinews.kz/kazakhstan_news/tokaev-otkryil-dvorets-edinoborstv-v-nur-sultane-373242/ |title= Tokayev opened The martial palace |publisher= tengrinews.kz |access-date= 8 May 2020 |archive-date= 26 July 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200726104058/https://tengrinews.kz/kazakhstan_news/tokaev-otkryil-dvorets-edinoborstv-v-nur-sultane-373242/ |url-status= live }}</ref> Sports facilities for five thousand spectators can take part in international competitions in boxing, wrestling, judo, weightlifting, and other Olympic and non-Olympic disciplines. The palace has a 25-meter pool, fitness and wrestling rooms, a football field, as well as a comfortable hotel. The object will be made available to the pupils of the sports school.

==Education==
[[File:Palace of Arts Shabyt.jpg|thumb|left|Kazakh National University of Arts]]

Nur-Sultan (Astana) has many universities and junior colleges. {{As of|2014|alt=as of the 2013/2014}} academic year, Nur-Sultan had a total enrollment of 53,561 students in its 14 higher educational institutions, a 10% increase from the prior year.<ref>{{cite web |title=The number of university students in Astana increased by more than 10% |url=http://astana.gov.kz/en/modules/material/4216 |publisher=Akimat of Astana |date=3 March 2014 |access-date=8 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141014030733/http://astana.gov.kz/en/modules/material/4216 |archive-date=14 October 2014 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all}}</ref> The L.N.Gumilyov Eurasian National University is the biggest university in Nur-Sultan with 16,558 students and 1,678 academic staff.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Info-Tses|script-title=ru: В новом учебном году в ЕНУ им. Л.Н. Гумилева будут обучаться 16 558 человек|trans-title=16 558 students will study in the new academic year at the L.N.Gumilyov Eurasian National University|language=ru|url=http://www.info-tses.kz/news/v-novom-uchebnom-godu-v-enu-im-l-n-gumileva-budet-obuchatsya-16-558-chelovek/|date=31 August 2014|access-date=1 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208044633/http://www.info-tses.kz/news/v-novom-uchebnom-godu-v-enu-im-l-n-gumileva-budet-obuchatsya-16-558-chelovek/|archive-date=8 December 2015|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref> It was founded as the result of merging the Akmola Civil Engineering Institute with the Akmola Pedagogical Institute on 23 May 1996.<ref>{{cite web |script-title=ru:История и ЕНУ сегодня |trans-title=History and ENU today |url=http://www.enu.kz/ru/o-enu/istoriya-universiteta/ |publisher=L.N.Gumilyov Eurasian National University |language=ru |access-date=7 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141008055532/http://www.enu.kz/ru/o-enu/istoriya-universiteta/ |archive-date=8 October 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The oldest university in Astana is the S. Seifullin Kazakh Agro Technical University founded in 1957.<ref>{{cite web |title=History of the university |url=http://kazatu.kz/?id=684&lang=en |publisher=S.Seifullin Kazakh Agro Technical University |access-date=7 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141011143021/http://kazatu.kz/?id=684&lang=en |archive-date=11 October 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Organization:Nazarbayev University|Nazarbayev University]] is an autonomous research university founded in 2010 in partnership with some of the world's top universities.<ref>{{cite web |title=History & Strategy |url=http://nu.edu.kz/portal/faces/mainmenu/aboutus1/historyvision1?_afrLoop=749534859761201&_afrWindowMode=0&_afrWindowId=15yfkkypy0_1#%40%3F_afrWindowId%3D15yfkkypy0_1%26_afrLoop%3D749534859761201%26_afrWindowMode%3D0%26_adf.ctrl-state%3D15yfkkypy0_17 |publisher=Nazarbayev University |access-date=7 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141012055637/http://nu.edu.kz/portal/faces/mainmenu/aboutus1/historyvision1?_afrLoop=749534859761201&_afrWindowMode=0&_afrWindowId=15yfkkypy0_1#%40%3F_afrWindowId%3D15yfkkypy0_1%26_afrLoop%3D749534859761201%26_afrWindowMode%3D0%26_adf.ctrl-state%3D15yfkkypy0_17 |archive-date=12 October 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The Kazakh University of Economics, Finance and International Trade is an economic institution in Nur-Sultan.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.eurashe.eu/about/members/kazuefit/ |title=Kazakh University of Economics, Finance and International Trade (KazUEFIT) |publisher=EURASHE.eu |access-date=11 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150612233800/http://www.eurashe.eu/about/members/kazuefit/ |archive-date=12 June 2015 |url-status=dead |date=20 January 2015}}</ref> The Kazakh Humanities and Law Institute is a law university founded by initiative of Ministry of Justice in 1994.<ref>{{cite web|title=History of KAZGUU |url=http://kazguu.kz/en/university/history-of-kazguu |publisher=Kazakh Humanities and Law Institute |access-date=7 October 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141011191652/http://kazguu.kz/en/university/history-of-kazguu |archive-date=11 October 2014}}</ref> The Nur-Sultan (Astana) Medical University was the only medical school in Nur-Sultan until the opening of the School of Medecine at Nazarbayev University in 2014.<ref>{{cite web |title=About the University |url=http://www.amu.kz/en/about_the_university/ |publisher=Astana Medical University |access-date=7 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150327034154/http://www.amu.kz//en/about_the_university/ |archive-date=27 March 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The Kazakh National University of Arts is the premier music school and has provided Nur-Sultan with highly qualified professional specialists in the field of Arts.<ref>{{cite web |title=About us |url=http://kaznui.kz/en/universitet/about/ |publisher=Kazakh National University of Arts |access-date=8 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141013170701/http://kaznui.kz/en/universitet/about/ |archive-date=13 October 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

Nur-Sultan schools enrolls about 103,000 students across 83 schools, including 71 state schools and 12 private schools.<ref>{{cite web |title=5 new schools open doors in Astana today |url=http://inform.kz/rus/article/2692646 |publisher=Kazinform |date=1 September 2014 |access-date=7 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141011184820/http://inform.kz/rus/article/2692646 |archive-date=11 October 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=13,000 to start school this year in Astana |url=http://inform.kz/rus/article/2684053 |publisher=Kazinform |date=4 August 2014 |access-date=7 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141011184552/http://inform.kz/rus/article/2684053 |archive-date=11 October 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The Miras International School, established 1999, was the first private high school established in Nur-Sultan.<ref>{{cite web |title=General information about school |url=http://www.miras-astana.kz/en/about/information.php |publisher=Miras International School |access-date=8 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141013162103/http://www.miras-astana.kz/en/about/information.php |archive-date=13 October 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The Haileybury Nur-Sultan school was established in 2011, as a branch of the Haileybury and Imperial Service College, an independent school in The United Kingdom. The Nur-Sultan Kazakh-Turkish High Schools are run by the International KATEV foundation. There are Kazakh-Turkish High Boarding Schools for gifted boys and girls, separately and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20180427071756/http://www.nurorda.org/ Nurorda International School].<ref>{{cite web |title=About Us |url=http://www.nurorda.org |access-date=15 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180427071756/http://www.nurorda.org/ |archive-date=27 April 2018 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all}}</ref> Nur-Sultan hosts two Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools (NIS), including the School of Physics and Mathematics and International Baccalaureate world school.<ref>{{cite web |title=Intellectual schools |url=http://nis.edu.kz/en/schools |publisher=Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools |access-date=7 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141013032051/http://nis.edu.kz/en/schools |archive-date=13 October 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The QSI International School of Astana is an international school that provides an American curriculum to its students. The school is a branch of the Quality Schools International that started in the Middle East.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.qsi.org/kazakhstan/ast|title = QSI International School of Astana|access-date = 28 November 2014|publisher = Quality Schools International (QSI)|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141204205947/http://www.qsi.org/kazakhstan/ast|archive-date = 4 December 2014|url-status = dead}}</ref>

==Transportation==

=== City transport ===
[[File:KZ 721 RC01 (44513246565).jpg|alt=|thumb|216x216px|City bus in Nur-Sultan]]
The city transport in Nur-Sultan consists of buses and taxis. Over 720,000 people use public transport daily.<ref>{{cite web|work=The Astana Times|title=36 Buses Added to Astana's Most Popular Routes|author=Ainur Kuramyssova|url=http://www.astanatimes.com/2014/12/36-buses-added-astanas-popular-routes/|date=17 December 2014|access-date=23 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150223181631/http://www.astanatimes.com/2014/12/36-buses-added-astanas-popular-routes/|archive-date=23 February 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> There are over 40 bus lines served by more than 1000 vehicles, with over 3000 people working in the public transport sector.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=world66.com|title=Astana Public Transportation|url=http://www.world66.com/asia/centralasia/kazakhstan/astana/getting_around|access-date=23 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150223175643/http://www.world66.com/asia/centralasia/kazakhstan/astana/getting_around|archive-date=23 February 2015|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Just like buses, share taxis have their own predefined routes and work on a shared basis. There are nine share taxi routes in total.

Trolleybus routes were opened in 1983. There were originally 3 routes, however, by 2006, only one route was left. In 2008, the only trolleybus fleet by the special state commission was declared unprofitable due to debts to the energy supply company and as a result, it was completely closed.

[[File:Велосипедная парковка "Astana Bike".jpg|thumb|AstanaBike bicycle-sharing system]]

In 2011, the Akimat of Nur-Sultan established a company to implement a series of changes and programmes in the metropolis known as the "New transport system of Nur-Sultan".<ref>{{cite web|publisher=International Association of Public Transport|title=Astana: an advancing city in the modern age|author=Yusup Khassiev|url=http://www.uitp.org/astana-advancing-city-modern-age|date=17 October 2012|access-date=23 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150223172011/http://www.uitp.org/astana-advancing-city-modern-age|archive-date=23 February 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> As part of these programmes, [[Engineering:Bus rapid transit|bus rapid transit]] (BRT) lines were opened. That same year, the construction of a [[Engineering:Light rail|light rail]] (LRT) was to begin. It was planned that the first stage of construction of a 16.4-kilometer line, which would've included nine stations, was planned to be completed by 1 December 2013. However, as of May 2020, construction has not started. In November 2013, President Nursultan Nazarbayev commended the construction of LRT because of the high cost. In exchange, there was a promise to launch high-speed buses. Despite the controversy, the construction of the LRT began in 2017 with the flyovers along to which the trains will pass. The opening is planned for the end of 2020.

The bicycle-sharing program AstanaBike has been operating in Nur-Sultan since 2014. In 2017, the system consisted of 40 stations with 1000 bicycles. The registration in the system for a season costs 5000 tenge ($28), plus a deposit for an RFID card ($5.50), the first half-hour of bike rental is free, the next hour is 100 tenge ($ 0.55). After more than 4 hours, the rent costs 1000 tenge.

=== Air ===
Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport {{airport codes|NQZ|UACC}}, located {{convert|17|km}} south-east of the city center, is the main gateway for the city's domestic and international civilian air traffic.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://aeroport.kz/city/astana | script-title=ru:Международный аэропорт Астаны | trans-title=Astana International Airport | publisher=Aeroport.kz | language=ru | access-date=22 February 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171108183014/http://aeroport.kz/city/astana | archive-date=8 November 2017 | url-status=dead}}</ref> It is the second-busiest airport in Kazakhstan, with 2,960,181 passengers passing through it in 2014.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://en.astanaairport.kz/?page_id=533 | title=Passenger traffic | publisher=Astana International Airport | access-date=16 February 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140503083724/http://en.astanaairport.kz/?page_id=533 | archive-date=3 May 2014 | url-status=dead}}</ref> The airport hosts 13 airlines operating regular passenger flights inside the country and internationally.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://en.astanaairport.kz/?page_id=581 | title=General information | publisher=Astana International Airport | access-date=16 February 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150215222209/http://en.astanaairport.kz/?page_id=581 | archive-date=15 February 2015 | url-status=dead}}</ref> Air Astana maintains its second-largest hub at the airport.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://en.tengrinews.kz/companies/No-Peoples-IPO-for-Air-Astana-in-near-future-Samruk-Kazyna-254903/ |title=No People's IPO for Air Astana in near future: Samruk Kazyna |publisher=Tengrinews.kz |date=31 July 2014 |access-date=17 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150216231827/http://en.tengrinews.kz/companies/No-Peoples-IPO-for-Air-Astana-in-near-future-Samruk-Kazyna-254903/ |archive-date=16 February 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref> An expected 50% increase in passenger traffic by 2017 has spurred the construction of a new terminal with an area of about {{Convert|40000|m2|}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://astana.gov.kz/en/modules/material/295 |title=Passenger traffic in Astana airport to increase to 5 million passengers a year by 2017 |publisher=Akimat of Astana |date=26 February 2013 |access-date=16 February 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150216002223/http://astana.gov.kz/en/modules/material/295 |archive-date=16 February 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://astana.gov.kz/en/modules/material/6643 |title=New Passenger Terminal will be created after the Capitals Airport Reconstruction |publisher=Akimat of Astana |date=6 November 2014 |access-date=16 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150215220311/http://astana.gov.kz/en/modules/material/6643 |archive-date=15 February 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Railway and roads ===
[[File:Talgo 200 Tulpar train, Astana rail terminal. Kazakhstan, 2009.JPG|thumb|Tulpar Talgo express train to Almaty|197x197px]]
Nur-Sultan is located in the centre of the country, serving as a well-positioned transport node for rail and automotive networks.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://railways.kz/en/node/2210 |title="Astana" station |publisher=Kazakhstan Temir Zholy |access-date=16 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150215231758/http://railways.kz/en/node/2210 |archive-date=15 February 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

Astana railway station is the city's main railway station and serves approximately 7,000 people each day. A new railway station, Nurly Zhol was built during the Expo 2017 event with a customer capacity of 12,000. [[Company:Talgo|Tulpar Talgo]] is a daily express train to [[Place:Almaty|Almaty]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://en.tengrinews.kz/industry_infrastructure/Kazakh-Spanish-trains-to-become-more-comfortable-258609/ |title=Kazakh-Spanish trains to become more comfortable |publisher=Tengrinews.kz |date=28 January 2015 |access-date=5 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150202105349/http://en.tengrinews.kz/industry_infrastructure/Kazakh-Spanish-trains-to-become-more-comfortable-258609/ |archive-date=2 February 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Short-term plans include the construction of a new railway station in the industrial district; in the vicinity of CHPP-3 a new terminal will be erected for freight cars.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://en.tengrinews.kz/industry_infrastructure/Astana-will-construct-new-railroad-station-for-EXPO-2017-16094/ |title=Astana will construct new railroad station for EXPO-2017 |publisher=Tengrinews.kz |date=17 January 2013 |access-date=5 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150404015951/http://en.tengrinews.kz/industry_infrastructure/Astana-will-construct-new-railroad-station-for-EXPO-2017-16094/ |archive-date=4 April 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

M-36 Chelyabinsk-Almaty and A-343 Astana-Petropavlovsk highways are routed through the city. The strategic geographical positioning of Astana allows the city to serve as a transport and reload centre for cargoes formed at adjacent stations in the area.{{citation needed|date=March 2019}}

=== River transport ===
Since 2008, navigation on the Esil River has been organized within the city. The Akimat of the city in the framework of the implementation of the "Shipping Esil" program created a specialized enterprise GKKP "Esil-Astana". The first navigation was opened in 2008.

==Expo 2017==
On 1 July 2010, at the 153rd General Assembly of Bureau International des Expositions held in Paris, representatives from then-Astana presented the city's bid to host the Specialised Expo 2017.<ref name="BIEtheme">{{cite web|title=Future energy – solutions for tackling mankind's greatest challenge|url=http://www.bie-paris.org/site/en/expos/upcoming-expos/expo-astana-2017/future-energy-solutions-for-tackling-mankind-s-greatest-challenge|publisher=BIE|access-date=23 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160811091823/http://www.bie-paris.org/site/en/expos/upcoming-expos/expo-astana-2017/future-energy-solutions-for-tackling-mankind-s-greatest-challenge|archive-date=11 August 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="AEF1">{{cite web|title=Expo2017: Future Energy and Impact on our Lives|url=http://blog.astanaforum.org/en/expo-2017-future-energy-and-its-impact-in-our-lives|publisher=Astana Economic Forum|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140723115354/http://blog.astanaforum.org/en/expo-2017-future-energy-and-its-impact-in-our-lives|archive-date=23 July 2014|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Vision|url=https://expo2017astana.com/en/energy/zamyisel-proekta|website=expo2017astana.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160505194547/https://expo2017astana.com/en/energy/zamyisel-proekta|archive-date=5 May 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The Kazakh concept for this exhibition relates to the impact of energy on society in the modern world. The theme of the Nur-Sultan (Astana) Expo was "Future Energy".<ref name="theme">{{cite web|title=APCO Worldwide to Drive Energy Innovation Future as Chief Organizing Partner for USA Pavilion at Expo 2017 |url=http://www.apcoworldwide.com/news/detail/2016/11/16/u.s.-government-partners-with-businesses-to-showcase-american-energy-innovation-at-expo-2017 |access-date=24 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170708233411/http://apcoworldwide.com/news/detail/2016/11/16/u.s.-government-partners-with-businesses-to-showcase-american-energy-innovation-at-expo-2017|archive-date=8 July 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Expo 2017 opened to much fanfare on 10 June 2017, with heads of state from 17 different nations in attendance. It is the first world's fair to be held in Central Asia and its central pavilion, ''Nur Alem'', is the largest spherical building in the world. The two-millionth visitor was registered on 7 August. More than 4 million people attended the event.

==Sightseeing==

*Baiterek is the main attraction and symbol of Nur-Sultan.
*Kazakh Eli – ("The Country of Kazakhs") – a monument on Independence Square. The 91-meter stele is crowned with the Samruk bird (Samұryқ, Simurg) – the king of all birds, the keeper of the peoples. The mythological image of Samruk also includes the second important monument of Kazakhstan – "Baiterek", in the translation "Tree of Life", under which the king of birds sits and spreads seeds on the ground from the flapping of wings.
*Nurjol Boulevard (formerly Water-Green Boulevard) is a recreational pedestrian zone with an Alley of Singing Fountains.
*Akorda is the residence of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
*Independence Palace – a building designed for diplomatic and other events of international level; the building also has a large-scale layout plan of Nur Sultan with existing and future facilities.
*The Palace of Peace and Accord is the Congress Hall, designed for summits and congresses of representatives of traditional Kazakhstan and world religions. Architect Norman Foster
*The Palace of Peace and Reconciliation is the Congress Hall, designed for summits and congresses of representatives of traditional Kazakhstan and world religions. Architect Norman Foster
*"Kazakhstan" – Central Concert Hall.
*"Shabyt" – Kazakh National University of Arts.
*"Zhastar" – the Palace of creativity of schoolchildren and youth.
*Khan Shatyr is the largest shopping and entertainment center (considered the largest tent in the world). Architect Norman Foster
*"Ethnoaul National Cultural Complex" – a unique cultural, tourist and image project EXPO-2017. Ethnoaul is a real opportunity to travel to the past and feel like a real nomad, to feel the atmosphere of centuries past. The national-cultural complex will acquaint visitors with the rich history, culture, art and traditions of the Kazakh people, where anyone who is interested will be transferred to the ethno-cultural environment of the nomadic civilization and fully enjoy the daily and festive life of the aul.
*The triumphal arch "Mangilik el" [2] is a landmark architectural structure, erected in honor of the anniversary of independence of Kazakhstan on the idea of Nursultan Nazarbayev.
*National Space Center [3] Future Energy Museum "Nur Alem" EXPO 2017 – the spherical building "Nur Alem" (Kaz. Shining World). Its height is 100 meters and its diameter is 80 meters.
*Nur Alem is the tallest building with a spherical shape, 30 meters in diameter, than the Ericsson-Glob Arena in Stockholm.

==Theaters, concert halls, and museums==
There are 27 libraries in Nur-Sultan, whose services in 2011 were used by 153 people for every thousand residents, 8 state museums, which were visited by 415,500 people in 2011 and which conducted 68,514 excursions, 10 recreation parks, in 2011 1492.2 thousand visitors were received and 99 events, 6 state museums and 6 cinemas were held.
*The Central Concert Hall Kazakhstan is a unique complex of the young capital designed for events of various levels: concerts of world and domestic stars, celebrations and official meetings, exhibitions, conferences, presentations. Architect Manfredi Nicoletti
*Astana Circus is an entertaining circus institution in the city of Nur Sultan. One of the three main circuses of Kazakhstan; in the territory of the former USSR, one of the newest circuses and one of two unique circus buildings in the form of a "flying saucer" (along with the Kazan circus).
*The National Opera and Ballet Theater named after K. Baiseitova is the youngest musical theater in the country, the bearer of the traditions of the Kazakh and world musical culture, comprehending the classical heritage and realizing the spiritual needs of the renewed Kazakhstani society.
*Astana Opera is a theater founded by the initiative of the first president of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev. The theater building, built in 2013, is recognized as an architectural monument of national importance.
*Kazakh Music and Drama Theater named after K. Kuanyshbaev
*State Academic Russian Drama Theater named after Maxim Gorky
*The National Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan is the largest museum in Central Asia. The museum was created on behalf of the first president of the Republic of Kazakhstan N.A. *Nazarbayev in the framework of the State program "Cultural Heritage"
*Modern Art Museum.
*Presidential Center of Culture – created on the initiative of the head of state N. Nazarbayev. The uniqueness of the research, cultural and educational complex of the capital is that its structure includes a museum, a library, a concert hall.
*ALZHIR (Akmola camp of wives of traitors to the motherland) – the largest Soviet women's camp, one of the three "islands" of the "Gulag Archipelago"
*Atameken is an ethno-memorial complex of nature, architecture and life on a large-scale map of Kazakhstan.
*Museum of the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
*Memorial complex of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (in honor of the heroes of the Great Patriotic War in the capital)

==Twin towns – sister cities==
Nur-Sultan is twinned with:<ref name=twins>{{cite web|title=Международный авторитет Астаны повышают города-побратимы|url=https://www.inform.kz/ru/mezhdunarodnyy-avtoritet-astany-povyshayut-goroda-pobratimy_a2927628|website=inform.kz|publisher=KazInform|language=ru|date=6 July 2016|access-date=30 November 2020|archive-date=12 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201212132913/https://www.inform.kz/ru/mezhdunarodnyy-avtoritet-astany-povyshayut-goroda-pobratimy_a2927628|url-status=live}}</ref>
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
*{{flagicon|JOR}} [[Place:Amman|Amman]], Jordan (2005)
*{{flagicon|TUR}} [[Place:Ankara|Ankara]], Turkey (2001)
*{{flagicon|TKM}} [[Place:Ashgabat|Ashgabat]], Turkmenistan (2017)<ref>{{cite web|title=State visit of President of Turkmenistan to the Republic of Kazakhstan|url=https://www.mfa.gov.tm/en/news/245|website=mfa.gov.tm|publisher=Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan|date=18 April 2017|access-date=30 November 2020|archive-date=19 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201119052524/https://www.mfa.gov.tm/en/news/245|url-status=live}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|THA}} [[Place:Bangkok|Bangkok]], Thailand (2004)
*{{flagicon|CHN}} [[Place:Beijing|Beijing]], China (2006)
*{{flagicon|KGZ}} [[Place:Bishkek|Bishkek]], Kyrgyzstan (2011)
*{{flagicon|SYR}} [[Place:Damascus|Damascus]], Syria
*{{flagicon|POL}} Gdańsk, Poland (1996)
*{{flagicon|VIE}} [[Place:Hanoi|Hanoi]], Vietnam (2009)
*{{flagicon|PAK}} [[Place:Islamabad|Islamabad]], Pakistan
*{{flagicon|RUS}} Kazan, Russia (2004)
*{{flagicon|UKR}} [[Place:Kyiv|Kyiv]], Ukraine (1998)
*{{flagicon|RUS}} [[Place:Moscow|Moscow]], Russia
*{{flagicon|FRA}} Nice, France (2013)
*{{flagicon|FIN}} Oulu, Finland (2013)
*{{flagicon|MYS}} [[Place:Putrajaya|Putrajaya]], Malaysia
*{{flagicon|LVA}} [[Place:Riga|Riga]], Latvia (1998)
*{{flagicon|RUS}} Saint Petersburg, Russia (1996)
*{{flagicon|KOR}} [[Place:Seoul|Seoul]], South Korea (2004)
*{{flagicon|UZB}} [[Place:Tashkent|Tashkent]], Uzbekistan
*{{flagicon|GEO}} [[Place:Tbilisi|Tbilisi]], Georgia (1996)
*{{flagicon|RUS}} Ufa, Russia (2010)
*{{flagicon|MNG}} [[Place:Ulaanbaatar|Ulaanbaatar]], Mongolia (2019)<ref>{{cite web|title="Улаанбаатар олон улсын өдөрлөг-2019" арга хэмжээ эхэллээ|url=https://ulaanbaatar.mn/Home/newsdetail?dataID=44139|website=ulaanbaatar.mn|publisher=Ulaanbaatar|language=mn|date=21 October 2019|access-date=11 November 2020|archive-date=11 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111082639/https://ulaanbaatar.mn/Home/newsdetail?dataID=44139|url-status=live}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|TUR}} Uşak, Turkey
*{{flagicon|LTU}} [[Place:Vilnius|Vilnius]], Lithuania
*{{flagicon|POL}} [[Place:Warsaw|Warsaw]], Poland (2002)
<!--rest - not twinning-->
{{div col end}}

===Friendly cities===
Nur-Sultan also cooperates with:<ref name=twins/>
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
*{{flagicon|AZE}} [[Place:Baku|Baku]], Azerbaijan
*{{flagicon|GER}} [[Place:Berlin|Berlin]], Germany
*{{flagicon|ROU}} [[Place:Bucharest|Bucharest]], Romania
*{{flagicon|HUN}} [[Place:Budapest|Budapest]], Hungary
*{{flagicon|EGY}} [[Place:Cairo|Cairo]], Egypt
*{{flagicon|RUS}} Chelyabinsk, Russia
*{{flagicon|MDA}} [[Place:Chișinău|Chișinău]], Moldova
*{{flagicon|RUS}} Kurgan, Russia
*{{flagicon|RUS}} Kursk, Russia
*{{flagicon|BLR}} [[Place:Minsk|Minsk]], Belarus
*{{flagicon|RUS}} Omsk, Russia
*{{flagicon|RUS}} Penza, Russia
*{{flagicon|RUS}} Saratov, Russia
*{{flagicon|RUS}} Sverdlovsk Oblast, Russia
*{{flagicon|RUS}} Tomsk, Russia
*{{flagicon|CHN}} [[Place:Ürümqi|Ürümqi]], China
{{div col end}}

==Smart city initiative==
The Smart Nur-Sultan project is an initiative developed by the then-Astana city administration that incorporates technology-driven solutions in various sectors, like hospitals, schools, the ticket booking system and street lighting.<ref name="SmartCity">{{cite news|title=Astana moving closer to becoming smart city|url=https://astanatimes.com/2017/06/astana-moving-closer-to-becoming-smart-city/ |last=Satubaldina |first=Assel |date=29 June 2017 |work=The Astana Times |access-date=27 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180428093446/https://astanatimes.com/2017/06/astana-moving-closer-to-becoming-smart-city/ |archive-date=28 April 2018 |url-status=dead}}</ref> These projects run on an interconnected application, the Smart Nur-Sultan.<ref name=SmartCity />

Nur-Sultan's smart city sector includes the annual Astana Innovations Challenge, designed to bring attention to the smart city concept.<ref name="Kousa-Startup">{{cite web |title=Nur-Sultan's Startup Ecosystem's Many Opportunities |url=https://startupgenome.com/blog/nur-sultan-startup-ecosystem |last=Kousa |first=Sofia |date=15 August 2019 |website=Startup Genome |access-date=7 December 2020 |archive-date=1 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201201012818/https://startupgenome.com/blog/nur-sultan-startup-ecosystem |url-status=live }}</ref> In addition, the world's first smart sustainable city acceleration hub is set to open in Nur-Sultan. This hub was planned to integrate from 10 to 15 startup solutions into the infrastructure of Kazakhstan.<ref name="Kousa-Startup" />

==See also==
* List of people from Nur-Sultan

== Footnotes ==
{{Notelist}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite book | last1=Pospelov | first1=Evgeni M. | url=http://www.twirpx.com/file/873195/ | script-title=ru:Имена городов: вчера и сегодня (1917–1992). Топонимический словарь |trans-title=City Names: Yesterday and Today (1917–1992). Toponymic Dictionary | publisher=Русские словари | year=1993 |url-access=registration |url-status=live}}
* {{cite book | last1=Kozlov | first1=Denis | last2=Gilburd | first2=Eleonory | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tZePAQAAQBAJ&pg=PA297| title=The Thaw: Soviet Society and Culture during the 1950s and 1960s | publisher=University of Toronto Press | year=2013 | isbn=9781442644601}}
* {{cite book | last=Khrushchev | first=Sergei |  url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xTfMDJK7Qu4C&pg=PA739| script-title=ru:Никита Хрущев. Реформатор |trans-title=Nikita Khrushchev. Reformer | publisher=Время | year=2010 | isbn=9785969105331 | title=Никита Хрущев. Реформатор}}
* {{cite news|url=https://www.wired.com/2016/09/ryan-koopmans-kazakhstan-a-tale-of-two-cities/|title=The Eccentric Autocrat Who Spent Billions Inventing A City|last=Mallone|first=Laura|date=23 September 2016|magazine=Wired}}
* {{cite book | last1=Whyte | first1=Andy | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=i-wa01TgV3cC&pg=PA216| title=Kisho Kurokawa, Architect and Associates: Selected and Current Works | publisher=Images Publishing | year=2000 | isbn=9781864700190}}
* {{cite book | last1=Vale | first1=Lawrence | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qWx9AwAAQBAJ&pg=PA154| title=Architecture, Power and National Identity | publisher=[[Company:Routledge|Routledge]] | year=2014 | isbn=9781134729210}}

==External links==
* [http://www.bie-paris.org/site/en/2017-astana Official website of the BIE]
* [http://www.expo2017astana.com Expo 2017 Astana-Kazakhstan]
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[[Category:Capitals in Asia]]
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