Astana – the capital of the Republic of Kazakhstan (since December 10, 1997). The city’s population of about 700 thousand people. The city is second in the country by population after the Alma-Ata. The city is located in northern Kazakhstan on the river Ishim in place of its closest approach to the river Nuroy. Astana – the coldest capital of the world, after Ulan Bator, the capital of Mongolia.
