Population: 281 000
Temperature Range: -23 to 28
Average Precipitation High: 50-55 (Jul)
Average Precipitation Low: 10-15 (Feb, Mar)
Currency Used: Kazakhstan Tenge (KZT)

- Founded in 1824 as Russian fortress
- Grew into mining town
- 1950's, became major centre for corn and wheat in
former Soviet Union
- Gain independence in 1991, was then named
Aqmola (which means "White Grave")
- Didn't like name, so changed to Astana in 1998
which means capital
- 30% Kazakh, 70% Russian, Ukrainian and
German
- Still needs to establish many things before it can
be considered a major city to the world
- Needs better water and power distribution, a
system for going in/out of city