{"id":26720,"date":"2026-06-08T03:03:20","date_gmt":"2026-06-08T03:03:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/26720\/"},"modified":"2026-06-08T03:03:20","modified_gmt":"2026-06-08T03:03:20","slug":"capital-of-kazakhstan-astana-marks-its-20th-anniversary","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/26720\/","title":{"rendered":"Capital of Kazakhstan Astana marks its 20th anniversary"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Trend<\/a><\/p>\n

The main city of the Republic of Kazakhstan Astana marks its
\n20th anniversary since gaining the official status of the capital
\ncity.<\/p>\n

President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev signed the
\ncorresponding decree on July 6, 1997. Today Astana is the political
\nand economic center of the Eurasian continent.<\/p>\n

Financing of Akmola construction came from foreign investments.
\n\u201cWe\u2019ve managed to get foreign investments under a 10-year
\nnon-interest loan. Many landmarks and facilities in the city were
\nbuilt thanks to grants and Astana authorities didn\u2019t have to
\nprovide any refunds,\u201d the president of Kazakhstan said.<\/p>\n

In one of his interviews President of Kazakhstan Nursultan
\nNazarbayev revealed that 20 years ago the contest for Astana city
\ndevelopment had sparked intense interest among world-renowned
\narchitects.<\/p>\n

Over 50 projects from Japan, the U.S., Austrlia, Italy, France,
\nGermany, Russia, Finland, the Republic of Korea, Bulgaria and other
\ncountries were submitted.<\/p>\n

Of 50, 27 were selected for the contest. Prominent Japanese
\narchitect Kisho Kurokawa was picked as the winner of the context.
\nHis \u2018Principle of Life\u2019 project was the most original one.<\/p>\n

Construction of the Baiterek Monument, the symbol of the city
\nand its main landmark, began in 2002. It was designed by architect
\nAkmurza Rustembekov.<\/p>\n

World leaders and foreign dignitaries often visit the
\nmonument.<\/p>\n

It gives a bird\u2019s eye view of the entire city.<\/p>\n

A year later construction of the headquarters of the largest oil
\n& gas company commenced. Construction of the Akorda presidential
\nresidence began afterwards.<\/p>\n

Basically, the city was built in just a decade.<\/p>\n

Astana has become not just a capital city, but a venue of
\nhigh-level international meetings, talks and summits.<\/p>\n

In 2017, it successfully hosted the EXPO-2017 exhibition
\nbringing together over 40 countries of the world.<\/p>\n

The theme of the EXPO-2017, The Future Energy, shows
\nKazakhstan\u2019s spirit and its strive to move forward, prosper and
\nsoar to new heights.<\/p>\n

Since 1997 Astana\u2019s population has more than tripled. It made 1,
\n026,181 as of November 1, 2017. 75-80 newborns come into this world
\nevery day at the perinatal centers of the city.<\/p>\n

—<\/p>\n

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz<\/a><\/p>\n