During the existence of the Soviet Union, the Kazakh Republic occupied the second place in the number of union republics in terms of occupied space. Today, this unique state, lying in two parts of the world, occupies the 9th line in the world in terms of occupied area. But on such a vast territory there are only 87 cities. Such a small number of urban settlements is due to national traditions, because for a long time the Kazakh people led a nomadic lifestyle. But in our today's review from thebiggest.ru the largest cities of Kazakhstan are based on the criteria of population and occupied space.
10
Uralsk
Population: ≈234 thousand
Almost at the very border with Russia, on the picturesque banks of the Urals, the city of Uralsk is located. The history of the city began with the Yaitsky town, which was founded in 1584, although 1613 is considered to be the official date of the foundation of Uralsk.
Despite the great reconstruction in the Soviet period, Uralsk managed to maintain the historical appearance of the center. One of the oldest attractions is the St. Michael the Archangel Cathedral, founded in the 40s of the XVIII century.
The city is famous for the fact that Stepan Razin spent the winter of 1668 here, before the start of the peasant uprising.
9
Families
Population: ≈324 thousand
The list about the largest cities of Kazakhstan is continued by Semey, who until 2007 was called Semipalatinsk.
He, like many other settlements of northeastern Kazakhstan, was part of the defensive line of the eastern borders of Russia, built at the beginning of the XVIII century. Today, 324 thousand inhabitants live in the city, most of whom are Kazakhs.
Semipalatinsk was known all over the world, so here was the largest testing ground for nuclear weapons of the USSR. In the mid-80s, the tests were frozen, and over time the test site ceased to function.
8
Ust-Kamenogorsk
Population: ≈333 thousand
In the east of Kazakhstan is a city with a population of 333 thousand inhabitants, founded in 1720 by the personal order of Peter I.
Initially, it was the Ust-Kamennaya fortress, where the Ulba rivulet flows into the Irtysh. From the beginning to the Soviet period, it was part of the Russian Empire.
Large hydroelectric power plants were built around the city in the late 50s, which provide energy to most of Kazakhstan. Interestingly, even today the majority of the population is Russian.
7
Pavlodar
Population: ≈333 thousand
On Irtysh is another large city, with a population of 333 thousand inhabitants. It was founded on the site of a former Turkic settlement in 1720.
When serfdom was abolished in the Russian Empire, Pavlodar received the status of a city, and received its modern name in honor of the birth of Grand Duke Paul.
Today it is the center of the Pavlodar region with a developed industry, many cultural and educational institutions. In religious life, Muslim mosques easily get along with Christian churches.
6
Taraz
Population: ≈357 thousand
Photo by upyernoz / flicr
In Soviet times, it bore the name of the famous Kazakh akyn Dzhambul Dzhabaev, and today, with a population of 357 thousand people, it can literally be called as "a city where there is trade."
Indeed, the oldest settlements on this steppe area lay on the way of silk caravans from the East to Europe. In Taraz, whose age has exceeded 2,000 years, large-scale archaeological research of retail space is underway.
And it is located in the beautiful valley of the Talas River, and in the south the spurs of the Western Tien Shan begin.
5
Karaganda
Population: ≈497 thousand
The largest industrial and industrial center of the state is located in the central part of the country. Karaganda received the status of a city only in the Soviet era in 1934.
In the past, and even now, it is associated with the extraction of coal mined in the largest mines of the Karaganda coal basin. In addition, it is also an important transport hub, with a developed automobile and railway network of highways.
For valiant labor in the USSR, Karaganda was awarded the Order of the Red Banner of Labor, and today more than 500 thousand inhabitants continue the glorious traditions of their ancestors.
4
Aktobe
Population: ≈500 thousand
Another city of Western Kazakhstan, renamed in the era of independence, was formerly called Aktyubinsk. Today the population of the city is 500 thousand people.
The story began with the settlement of Ak-Tyube, which was called Aktyubinsk in Russian fashion, and in 1999 the historical name returned, but the region is still officially called Aktyubinsk.
One of the largest industrial centers of the republic, represented by engineering enterprises, ferroalloy plants, chemical enterprises. This is one of the fastest growing cities in the republic. In 2000, a little more than 250 thousand people lived here.
3
Shymkent
Population: ≈1038 thousand
And again, the more familiar name for the Russians of this Kazakh city is Chimkent, which in September 1992 was renamed into the national spirit.
Most likely, the name has Iranian roots, and literally means "the village where the grass grows." The first settlements appeared in the earlier Middle Ages, at the turn of the XI – XII centuries.
More recently, new territories were annexed to Shymkent, and the population increased to 940 thousand people, in the occupied area it came out on top.
2
Nur Sultan
Population: ≈1.14 million
The third place among the largest cities of Kazakhstan rightfully belongs to the former Akmolinsk, Tselinograd, Astana. Perhaps, borrowing tradition from its northern neighbor, the capital was several times transferred from Alma-Ata to Nur-Sultan and vice versa.
Today, the population is just over 1 million inhabitants, most recently, city officials said that a millionth resident was born in Nur Sultan, but the state statistics committee did not confirm this information, saying that a little less than 900 thousand inhabitants live in the city.
The city was born at the intersection of caravan routes, and in 1862 the settlement received the status of a city, which today plays an important role in the economic, cultural and political life of the country.
1
Almaty
Population: ≈1.92 million
The largest city in Kazakhstan has a rather romantic name, which means “father of apples” in Kazakh.
At one time, the city, founded by Russian settlers, was called Verny until 1921. Today, among the mountain peaks a little more than 1.916 million people live. The milestone in a million was surpassed back in the late 80s and in Almaty began to build the metro, which today is one, albeit small, but quite comfortable and convenient.
For a long time it was the capital of the Kazakh Soviet Republic and at the initial stage of independence. The largest cultural and educational center, with a highly developed industry and tourism infrastructure.
Compared to European megacities, large cities of Kazakhstan are relatively small both in area and in number of inhabitants. But each such town of Kazakhstani land has its own peculiarity, preserves the national flavor and centuries-old traditions.
Summarize
In recent decades, Kazakhstan has begun to play an important role in international relations, and the most important world summits, conferences, festivals and sporting events of international level are held in its cities. TheBiggest.ru editorial office asks you to write in the comments which largest cities of Kazakhstan impressed you the most.
Article author: Valery Skiba