Almaty (Kazakh: / Almat / ) also known by its former names Verny (Russian: "Faithful" prior to 1921) and Alma-Ata (Russian: - between 1921 and 1992) is the former capital of Kazakhstan and the nation's largest city with a population of 1348500 (as of 1 September 2008).3 This represents 9% of the population of the country.

It was the capital of the Kazakh SSR and its successor Kazakhstan from 1929 to 1997. Despite losing its status as the capital to Astana in 1997 Almaty remains the major commercial center of Kazakhstan. It is located in southern Kazakhstan near the border with Kyrgyzstan. Contents 1 Toponymy 2 History 2.1 Prehistoric Almaty 2.2 Middle Ages 2.3 15th18th centuries 2.4 Foundation of Verniy 2.5 20th century Almaty 2.5.1 Almaty from the Revolution of 1917 to World War II 2.5.2 Almaty in World War II 2.5.3 Almaty from 1945 to 2000 2.6 21st century Almaty 3 Climate 4 Demographics 5 Economy 6 Sights 6.1 Kk Tbe 6.2 Fountains 7 Universities of Almaty 8 Sports 9 Olympic aspirations 10 People from Almaty 11 See also 12 References 13 External links 13.1 General 13.2 Travel-related Toponymy

The name "Almaty" derives from the Kazakh word for 'apple' () and thus is often translated as "full of apples;" alma is also 'apple' in other Turkic languages as well as in Hungarian. The older Soviet-era Russian version of its name Alma-Ata is an arbitrary composition of two Kazakh words literally Apple-Father which has no sense. In fact there is great genetic diversity among the wild apples in the region surrounding Almaty; the region is thought to be the ancestral home of the apple and the wild Malus sieversii is considered a likely candidate for the ancestor of the modern domestic apple. The area is often visited by researchers and scientists from around the world in order to learn more about the complex systems of genetics and also to discover the true beginnings of the domestic apple. History Prehistoric Almaty

During 1000900 BC in the Bronze Age the first farmers and cattle-breeders established settlements on the territory of Almaty.

During the Sakas period (from 700 BC to the beginning of the Common Era) these lands were chosen for residence by Saka tribes and later Uisun tribes inhabiting the territory north of the Tian Shan mountain range. The evidences of these times are numerous burial tumuli and ancient settlements especially giant burial mounds of Saka tsars. The most famous archaeological finds are the Golden man from the Issyk Kurgan Zhalauly treasure Kargaly diadem Zhetysu arts bronze (boilers lamps and altars). During the period of Saka and uisun governance Almaty became the early education center.4 Silver dirham coin minted in Almaty in 684 AD Middle Ages

The next stage of Almaty evolution is attributed to the Middle Ages (810th centuries) and is characterized by city culture development transfer to a settled way of living farming and handicraft development and the emergence of a number of towns and cities in the territory of Zhetysu.

In the 1014th centuries settlements in the territory of the so called "Big Almaty" became part of the trade routes of the Silk Road. At that time Almaty became one of the trade craft and agricultural centers on the Silk Road and possessed an official mint. The city was first mentioned as Almatu in books from the 13th century. 15th18th centuries

In the 15th18th centuries the city was on the way to degradation as trade activities were decreasing on this part of the Silk Road. Notwithstanding this period was saturated with very important political events that had significant impact on the history of Almaty and Kazakhstan as a whole. It was a period of crucial ethnic and political transformations. The Kazakh state and nation were founded here close to Almaty.

These lands also witnessed the tragic developments related to the Dzungar intervention and rigorous efforts of the Kazakh to protect their land and preserve independence. In 1730 the Kazakh defeated the Dzungar in the Anyrakay mountains 70 km to north-west from Almaty. It was a critical moment of the Patriotic War between Kazakhs and Dzungars. Foundation of Verniy Zenkov Cathedral a 19th-century Russian Orthodox cathedral located in Panfilov Park is the second tallest wooden building in the world.5 On 4 February 1854 the modern history of the city began with the strengthening of the Russian piedmont Fort Verniy nearby the Zailiysky Alatau mountain range between Bolshaya and Malaya Almatinka rivers. The construction of the Verniy Fort was almost finished by autumn 1854. It was a fenced pentagon and one of its sides was built along the Malaya Almatinka. Later wood fence was replaced with the wall of brick with embrasures. Main facilities were erected around the big square for training and parading.6 In 1855 the first displaced Kazakh appeared in Verniy. Since 1856 Verniy started accepting Russian peasants. They founded the Bolshaya Almatinskaya Stanitsa (Cossack village) nearby the fortification. The inflow of migrants was increasing and led to construction of the Malaya Almatinskaya Stanitsa and Tatarskaya (Tashkentskaya) sloboda. It was the place of settlement for Tatar mechants and craftsmen. In 1867 the Verniy Fort was transformed into the town and called Almatinsk. However the population did not like the new name of the town and soon the town was re-named as Verniy. According to the First City Plan the city perimeters were 2 km on the south along Almatinka river and 3 km on the west. The new city area was divided into residential parts and the latter into districts. Three categories of the city buildings were distinguished. Buildings of the first and second categories were two-storied or at least one-storied constructions with the high semi-basement. Buildings of categories I and II were erected around and in the center of the city others on the outskirts. On 28 May 1887 at 4 a.m. an earthquake almost totally destroyed Verniy in 1112 minutes. Brick buildings were mostly damaged. As a result people were inclined to build up one-storied construction made of wood or adobe. 20th century Almaty Almaty from the Revolution of 1917 to World War II Samal In 1921 the joint solemn sitting was summoned for the participation of the representative of government regional and sub-regional institutions professional trades the Muslim people to make a decision to assign a new name to Verniy Alma-Ata. In 1926 the Council of Labour and Defence approved the construction of the Turkestan-Siberia Railway railway that was a crucial element of the republic reconstruction specifically on the east and southeast of the republic. The Turkestan-Siberia Railway construction was also a decisive economic aspect that foreordained the destiny of Alma-Ata as a capital of Kazakh ASSR. In 1930 the construction of the highway and railway to the Alma-Ata station was completed. On 2 March 1927 It was the initiative of the Central Executive Committee of the Kazakh Republic to transfer the capital from Kyzyl-Orda to Alma-Ata. The VI Kazakhstani Congress approved this initiative.7 On 29 April 1927 it was officially decided on the sitting of the Russian SFSR Committee to transfer the capital of the Kazakh Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic from Kyzyl-Orda to Alma-Ata. Besides the Alma-Ata airport was opened in 1930 and people from the capital of Kazakhstan could fly now from Alma-Ata to Moscow. Alma-Ata became the air gate to Kazakhstan. Transformation of the small town into the capital of the Republic was supplied by the large-scaled construction of new administrative and government facilities and housing. The Central Mosque of Almaty Given the transfer of the capital of Kazakhstan to Alma-Ata in 1936 the Architecture and Planning Bureau elaborated the General Plan aimed at re-creating Alma-Ata as the new cultural and comfortable capital of Kazakhstan. The Plan was based on the existing rectangular system of districts that would further be strengthened and reconstructed. Almaty in World War II During World War II the city territory was changed to a large extent. To organize the home front and concentrate industrial and material resources the residential stock was compressed to arrange accommodation for 26000 persons evacuated. Alma-Ata hosted over 30 industrial facilities from the front areas 8 evacuated hospitals 15 institutes universities and technical schools around 20 cultural institutions etc. Motion picture production companies from Leningrad Kiev and Moscow were also evacuated to Alma-Ata. Owing to self-denying labour over 52000 Alma-Ata residents were awarded. 48 residents were granted the title of Hero of The Soviet Union. Three rifle divisions were raised in Alma-Ata including the well-known 8th Guards Rifle Division 'Panfilov' along with 2 rifle battalions and 3 aviation regiments that were raised on the bases of the air club of Alma-Ata. Almaty from 1945 to 2000 Furmanov street From 1966 to 1971 1400000 square meters of public and cooperative housing were put into operation. Annually around 300000 square meters of dwellings were under construction. It was the period of constructing earthquake-proof multi-storied buildings. Construction unification and type-design practice diversified architectural forms. At that time lots of schools hospitals cultural and entertainment facilities were constructed including Lenins Palace Kazakhstan Hotel and the Medeo sports complex. The Medeu Dam designed to protect the city of Almaty and the Medeo skating rink from catastrophic mudflows was built in 1966 and reinforced a number of times in the 1960s and 1970s. The supersonic transport Tupolev Tu-144 went into service on 26 December 1975 flying mail and freight between Moscow and Alma-Ata in preparation for passenger services which commenced in November 1977. The Aeroflot flight on 1 June 1978 was the Tu-144's 55th and last scheduled passenger service. Since 1981 the underground Almaty Metro construction project has been developed. On 16 December 1986 Jeltoksan riot took place in response to General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev's dismissal of Dinmukhamed Kunayev. In 1993 the government made a decision to rename Alma-Ata. The new name of the city is Almaty. In 1997 the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev approved the Decree to transfer the capital from Almaty to Astana.8 On 1 July 1998 a Law was passed concerning the special status of Almaty as a scientific cultural historical financial and industrial center. 21st century Almaty Modern Almaty The new 2030 General Plan of Almaty was developed in 1998 and aims at forming ecologically safe secure and socially comfortable living conditions. The main objective is to promote Almatys image as a garden-city. One of the components of the General Plan is to continue multi-storied and individual construction reorganize industrial territories improve transport infrastructure and launch Almaty Metro.citation needed Climate Almaty features a humid continental climate with very warm summers and cold winters. Its wettest months are April and May during which about a third of the citys annual precipitation is received. August and September are the driest months where on average under 30 mm (1.18 in) of precipitation is seen. Climate data for Almaty Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year Record high C (F) 18.2 (64.8) 19.0 (66.2) 28.0 (82.4) 33.2 (91.8) 35.1 (95.2) 39.3 (102.7) 41.7 (107.1) 40.5 (104.9) 38.1 (100.6) 31.1 (88) 25.4 (77.7) 19.2 (66.6) 41.7 (107.1) Average high C (F) -0.2 (31.6) 1.4 (34.5) 7.0 (44.6) 17.2 (63) 21.6 (70.9) 26.7 (80.1) 29.8 (85.6) 28.7 (83.7) 23.8 (74.8) 15.9 (60.6) 7.5 (45.5) 2.4 (36.3) 15.2 (59.4) Daily mean C (F) -4.9 (23.2) -3.4 (25.9) 2.2 (36) 11.7 (53.1) 16.1 (61) 21.0 (69.8) 23.8 (74.8) 22.5 (72.5) 17.5 (63.5) 10.2 (50.4) 2.7 (36.9) -2.2 (28) 9.8 (49.6) Average low C (F) -9.6 (14.7) -8.2 (17.2) -2.6 (27.3) 6.1 (43) 10.5 (50.9) 15.2 (59.4) 17.8 (64) 16.3 (61.3) 11.2 (52.2) 4.5 (40.1) -2.1 (28.2) -6.7 (19.9) 4.4 (39.9) Record low C (F) -30.1 (-22.2) -37.7 (-35.9) -24.8 (-12.6) -10.9 (12.4) -7.0 (19.4) 2.0 (35.6) 7.3 (45.1) 4.7 (40.5) -3.0 (26.6) -11.9 (10.6) -34.1 (-29.4) -31.8 (-25.2) -37.7 (-35.9) Precipitation mm (inches) 33 (1.3) 41 (1.61) 62 (2.44) 111 (4.37) 106 (4.17) 61 (2.4) 38 (1.5) 27 (1.06) 29 (1.14) 56 (2.2) 52 (2.05) 41 (1.61) 657 (25.87) Source: 1 Demographics Ethnic groups (2003)citation needed: Kazakh: 51.5% Russian: 30.0% Uyghur: 5.8% Tatar: 2.0% Korean: 2.0% Ukrainian: 1.0% German: 1.0% Indians: 1.0% Chinese: 1.0% Others: 5% According to the USSR Census of 1989 population of Almaty was 1071900; Kazakhstan Census of 1999 reported 1129400.9 Economy Almaty business centre Almaty is also developing as the regional financial and business centre RFCA.citation needed. Air Astana is headquartered in the Air Astana Centre 1 in Almaty.10 Prior to their dissolution Air Kazakhstan11 and Kazakhstan Airlines12 were also headquartered in Almaty. Sights Kk Tbe Downtown Almaty as seen from Kok Tobe An aerial tramway line connects downtown Almaty with a popular recreation area the top of Kk Tbe (Kazakh: which means 'Blue Hill') a mountain just to the southeast. The city television tower Alma-Ata Tower is located on the hill as well as a variety of amusement-park type attractions and touristy restaurants. Fountains A section of the Zodiac Fountain (1979) According to the city's Department of Natural Resources and Resource Use Management13 as of 2007 the city has 125 fountain groups or isolated fountains. Among them is the "Oriental Calendar" Fountain whose 12 sculpture figures represent the 12 animals of the Kazakh 12-year animal cycle (similar to its Chinese counterpart). Universities of Almaty Main article: List of universities in Kazakhstan International IT University (IITU) Kazakh-British Technical University (KBTU) University of International Business Kazakh National Medical University Almaty Institute of Power Engineering and Telecommunications Kazakh-American University Kazakh National Technical University (KazNTU) Al-Farabi Kazakh National University (KazNU) Suleyman Demirel University (SDU) KIMEP (Kazakhstan Institute of Management Economics and Strategic Research) Kazakh-American University (KAU) Kazakh National Academy of Arts named by T.Zhurgenov Kazakh Academy of Sciences Kazakh Academy of Labour and Social Relations Almaty State University (named after Abay) Turan University Kazakhstan University of Global Relationships and Languages () Central Asian University () Kazakh-German University () Kazakh Leading Academy of Architecture and Civil Engineering Sports Medeo ice rink with bandy goals The historic bandy team Dinamo won the Soviet Championships in 1977 and 1990 and the European Cup in 1978. Their home ground was Medeo where bandy was the only sport at the 2011 Winter Asian Games.2 Medeo will be the main arena at the 2012 Bandy World Championships.3 It is also home to Almaty United Football club.1415 Olympic aspirations Almaty was an official candidate to host the XXII Olympic Winter Games in 201416 but was eliminated from consideration not making the "short list" of candidate cities. Almaty won its bid to host the 2011 Winter Asian Games. The city was exploring possible future bids such as the 2018 Winter Olympics but did not actually submit a bid. People from Almaty Altynai Asylmuratova (* 1961) prima ballerina with the Kirov ballet Eugen Bauder (* 1986) model in Germany Alexander Brener (* 1957) film star in Russia Dmitri Chvykov (* 1974) ski jumper Nagima Eskalieva (* 1954) singer and entertainer Stanislav Filimonov (* 1979) ski jumper Dmitri Fofonov (* 1976) Racing cyclist Pavel Gaiduk (* 1976) ski jumper Valery Yurlov (* 1933) actor in Russia Alexey Korolev (* 1987) ski jumper Nikolay Karpenko (* 1981) ski jumper Ruslana Korshunova (19872008) model in Russia Olessya Kulakova (* 1977) volleyball representative for Germany Regina Kulikova (* 1989) tennis player Dinmukhamed Konayev (19121993) politician Yelena Lichovzeva (* 1975) tennis player in Russia Fuat Mansurov (19282008) Soviet and Russian conductor Dmitriy Ogai (* 1960) soccer trainer and Soviet soccer player Sergei Ostapenko (* 1986) soccer player Alexander Parygin (* 1973) olympic athlete Alexander Petrenko (19762006) basketball representative for Russia Dennis Pohl (* 1986) cycle racer in Germany Oxana Rakmatulina (* 1976) basketball player in Russia Vadim Sayutin (* 1970) ice speed skater in Russia Thomas Schertwitis (* 1972) water polo Olga Shishigina (* 1968) Olympic Champion in hurdling Susanna Simon (* 1968) actress in Germany Assan Tachtachunov (* 1986) ski jumper Denis Ten (* 1993) figure skater Taimuraz Tigiev (* 1982) gymnast Anatoly Vaisser (* 1949) French chess grandmaster Irina Vygusova (* 1974) diver Radik Zhaparov (* 1984) ski jumper Vladimir Zhirinovsky (* 1946) politician Konstantin Sokolenko (* 1987) Nordic combined skier/ski jumper Other pictures of Almaty Holiday Inn.   Hotel Kazakhstan.   Landsat satellite photo of Almaty.   WiFi cafe "Coffeedelia".   Children's world a store with children's goods.   Apple Town.   See also Almaty International Airport Jeltoqsan Kazakh nationwide revolt of 1986 Kazakhstan Stock Exchange Medeo bandy and speed skating rink Shymbulak ski resort Kazakhstan International School FC Kairat Almaty Alma Ata Declaration References 2010 1 CODE OF ACCESS "Almaty population as of September 1 2008 made 1 million 348.5 thousand people" (in en). http://www.kt.kz/index.phplangeng&uin1133435211&chapter1153468039. Retrieved 14 November 2008.  www.almaty.kz History of Almaty Ness Immanuel. Encyclopedia of World Cities. M E Sharpe Reference 1999. ISBN 0-7656-8017-3. Page 19. 150 . Materials of the VI Kazakhstani Congress Kyzyl-Orda 1927 "Astana new capital" official from AkOrda.kz (About some results of the Kazakhstan population census) (Russian) "Head Office." Air Astana. Retrieved on 8 October 2009. "World Airline Directory." Flight Global. 1622 March 2004. 66. "World Airline Directory." Flight Global. 29 March-4 April 1995. 79. (The Fountains of Almaty) (Russian) http://www.yourfootballclub.org/ http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/almatyunitedfootballclub/ 2014 Winter Olympic Games Bids External links General Almaty and Kazakhstan multilingual travel guide MyCity Almaty map Interactive map of Almaty (in Russian) City of Almaty Official website About Almty City news and references communicator (only English language) Almaty Street Fashion People on the streets of Almaty View of Almaty city from the tallest building MSN Map Travel-related Almaty travel guide from Wikitravel Almaty Layover Guide Almaty Airport Almaty Guide Almaty Fashion Week Almaty Expatriate site Almaty or Bust! Alatau IT CIty Satellite picture by Google Maps Up Up and Away: New Towers and Ambitions to Match The New York Times Oh the Places You'll Go To! The New York Times Travel Almaty Guide v d e Provinces of Kazakhstan Provinces Akmola   Aktobe   Almaty   Atyrau   East Kazakhstan   Karagandy  Kostanay   Kyzylorda   Jambyl   Mangystau   North Kazakhstan   Pavlodar   South Kazakhstan   West Kazakhstan Metropolitan cities Almaty  Astana  Baikonur v d e Cities of Kazakhstan Capital Astana Other cities Aktau  Aktobe  Almaty  Arkalyk  Atyrau  Baikonur  Balqash   Ekibastuz  Karagandy  Kentau  Kokshetau  Kostanay  Kyzylorda  Oral  Oskemen  Pavlodar  Petropavl  Ridder  Saran  Satpayev  Semey  Shymkent  Stepnogorsk  Taldykorgan  Taraz  Temirtau  Turkistan  Zhanaozen  Zhezkazgan