WOMEN’S WORLD CHESS TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP · About capital

Astana is the capital of Kazakhstan.

The city was founded in 1830, at that time it was called Akmola. The current name Astana, which is translated as “capital” from Kazakh language, the city got in 1998. The city is located in the north part of Sary-Arka, on the right and left banks of the Yessil river. Historically, it was the connecting point of Europe and Asia. Astana is the largest transport hub, the center of road, rail and air transport.

The population of the city as of 1^st of January 2013 is 778, 1 thousand people.

The climate is extreme continental. Winter is cold, long, and usually with little snow, in some years winter is severe. Summer is moderately dry, and characterized by hot, dry weather. The average temperature in June is + 20 C. The maximum temperature (+30 C and above) stays in July in average for 11-12 days.

Sightseeings of Astana

The new administrative center of Astana, that was recently built on the left bank of Yessil river, has so many architectural highlights that, despite the fact that it is young city, it attracts tourists with its power and panache.Among the most interesting objects of the Left bank are: a tower-monument "Astana-Baiterek", which gains a status of a symbol of Kazakhstan very quickly; an egg-shaped building of the State Archives; graceful monumental mosque "Nur-Astana"; Round Square with its unreal lines and the main square, which is framed by the House of Ministries; complex "Khan Shatyry" - the creation of an Englishman Norman Foster, which implements the idea of eternal summer and covered with a giant tent from the cold winter weather; the concert hall with its very irregular shape; skyscrapers that are unique in appearance and have stunning beauty of design; and of course, the presidential palace, "Akorda ", which is considered to be one of the most representative buildings of the country.

Mosque “Nur-Astana”

In March 2005 a new sightseeing of the whole Kazakhstan has appeared in Astana. It is a mosque “Nur-Astana”. Surrounded by ultra-modern buildings it looks rather unexpectedly, but harmoniously. Eastern elegance is woven into the ensemble of glass, concrete, steel, granite and alucobond. The mosque is crowned with four minarets that are 62 meters in height. The domes are covered with gold leaf. Eight cores, supporting the dome, artfully decorate not just an ornament, but carved verses (part of the Holy Quran text). There is a large room inside the mosques, where 5000 people can pray simultaneously. There is a balcony on the second floor that is designed for pray for up to 2000 women. The territory of the mosque is approximately 4,000 sq. meters.

The Mosque Khazret Sultan

It was opened in 2012 and designed for 5000 prayers, during holiday prays it accommodates up to 10 000 people. It is located on the right bank of Ishim river near by the Palace of Reconciliation, Independence Palace, “Kazakh Eli” monument and the Embassy of the USA in Kazakhstan. 

The architecture of the roof is a complex multi-layered structure presented in the classic style with a total area of 6 thousand square meters. The height of the main dome is 51 meters; the diameter is 28 m. The area of ??the vestibule is 1860 square meters. The diameter of the vestibule dome is 15.2 m, 4 domes have a diameter of 10.45 m and 4 domes’ diameter is 7.3 m. The height of each of the 4 minarets is 77 meters.

The total area of ??the mosque is 17.7 thousand square meters. The nearby parking is provided for 745 cars. The total area is 11.05 hectares.

The mosque has prayer rooms, rooms for reading the Quran, offices for staff, library, and 5 classes for up 130 people for education.

The Cathedral of Sainte Uspen

On the 17^th of January 2010 during Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kirill visit to Kazakhstan, provided rite of consecration of the Cathedral of the Assumption, and the solemn liturgy.

The Cathedral is a magnificent five-domed building, consisting of upper and lower temples. The area of the Cathedral is more than 2000 square meters, it can accommodate up to 4 thousand people at once. The height of the temple is 68 meters. Exterior arches roofs are covered with blue roofing iron, while domes and crosses are covered with gold-plated metal, the bell in the total belfry are cast in Russia.

Palace of Independence

The pearl of the architectural ensemble of Astana is the Palace of Independence. There are spacious halls, galleries, museums and theaters on the area of more than 60,000 square meters.
Unlikeness all the other structures can already be noticed on the square in front of the palace, where there is a unique monument of statehood. Its core elements are marble obelisk which is 91 meters high and symbolizes the year of independence, and the 120 meter long colonnade. There is a plate at the base of the monument that symbolizes the country's constitution. At the top of the monument is a mythical bird called Samruk.

The first big even that took place at the new Palace of Independence was the meeting of the Heads of Government of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

Palace of Peace and Reconciliation

It is called the eighth wonder of the world. Palace of Peace and Reconciliation is built in the shape of a regular pyramid with the height of 62 meters and with the same width at the base. Building rests on an artificial fifteen- meter mound. The famous master, the English architect Norman Foster has specially chosen this form for project, which has no religious bias.

The Pyramid is a place of inter-religious dialogue of representatives of the world's traditional religions. Pyramid of Peace and Reconciliation is a kind of apotheosis of the idea of ??tolerance. It is a monument to the unity of the people of Kazakhstan, their desire for harmony and humanitarian values. It is logical that Museum of Culture, University of civilizations, and Opera theatre for 1500 seats is located where all representatives of the various world religions and traditions get together.

Museum of the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan

Museum of the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan is located in the former residence. The museum keeps archival documents, scientific papers, books, collections of gifts, awards, and other materials related to the history of sovereign Kazakhstan. They also reveal the stages of life, public and social activities of the First President. Unique pieces of furniture, interiors, components that create a single complex are remained intact. Today, the museum's collection includes more than 40 thousand items. The prides of the museum’s collections are awards of the President. This collection in unique and it represents awards of the USSR and of independent Kazakhstan, many countries and international organizations. Huge interests are books donated to the President. Many of them are unique, because they have autographs of prominent people of our time.

The exhibition "The country and the world" presents 148 excellent exhibits of 30 countries (paintings, sculptures, souvenirs, arts and crafts). These are gifts that have been presented to the President of Kazakhstan from the presidents of foreign states and governments, international organizations, foundations, the world's leading companies, and citizens of our country.

Monument Astana-Bayterek

Bayterek is a symbol of independent Kazakhstan, and it is not only a landmark of Astana, but the hallmark of the new Kazakhstan.

The idea of ??creation belongs to Nursultan Nazarbayev. Bayterek symbolizes the state that retains its historical roots, with a firm reliance and aspiration for the future prosperity. It is a symbol of the independent Kazakhstan for the whole world.

Daily "Bayterek" welcomes guests of all ages and nationalities. Visitors have a chance to get up in panoramic elevators to the bright, spacious viewing rooms situated in a glass "bowl."

One of the capital’s symbols –“Khan-Shatyr”

It is the largest shopping and entertainment center on Central Asia and the tallest building in the world in the shape of the tent.

It is one of the works of the famous architect Norman Foster. "Khan Shatyry" fits perfectly into the architecture of Astana; it closes the main axis of the city center, starting from the Presidential Palace and government buildings. The shell of the tent allows maintaining comfortable microclimate inside the building. Special charm gives a tropical water garden and a man-made lagoon with a gorgeous beach.

The population of Kazakhstan as of the 1^st of January 2013 is 16 mln 911, 9 thousand people.