How to Pronounce Astana / Астана

Meaning and Context

Astana, designated as the capital of Kazakhstan in 1997 by presidential decree, is a striking symbol of the nation's post-independence ambition and modern identity. Located in the northern steppes on the banks of the Ishim River, this planned city replaced Almaty as the political and administrative heart of the country. Renowned for its futuristic skyline and bold architectural projects like the Bayterek Tower and the Khan Shatyr Entertainment Center, Astana serves as a primary hub for government, diplomacy, and major economic forums. The city was officially renamed Nur-Sultan in 2019 in honor of the first president, Nursultan Nazarbayev, but reverted to its original name of Astana in 2022 by a parliamentary decision. As a key destination for tourism in Central Asia and the host of EXPO 2017, it continues to evolve as a center for culture, innovation, and geopolitical significance on the Eurasian stage.

Common Mistakes and Alternative Spellings

The primary spelling in the Latin alphabet is "Astana," which is a direct transliteration from the Kazakh. A common historical alternative is "Aqmola," which was the city's name from 1992 until 1998, meaning "white grave." During the period from 2019 to 2022, the official name was "Nur-Sultan," and this spelling remains relevant in historical and archival contexts. Frequent typos or misspellings include "Astana" (incorrect vowel), "Astana" (missing 'a'), and "Astana" (transposing the 's' and 't'). In the Cyrillic alphabet, used for the Kazakh and Russian languages, the city is written as "Астана." Confusion also sometimes arises with "Asmara," the capital of Eritrea, due to visual similarity.

Example Sentences

The annual Astana International Forum brings together global leaders to discuss critical economic and climate issues.

Visitors are consistently awed by the architectural marvels that define Astana's unique skyline.

After the official move in 1997, government institutions were gradually relocated from Almaty to the new capital.

Navigating Astana is facilitated by its well-planned layout and modern public transportation system.

The decision to revert from Nur-Sultan back to Astana was widely reported in international media.

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