View source for Almaty

{{about|the city|the province|Almaty Province}}
{{redirect|Verniy|Soviet destroyer turned over from Japan|Japanese destroyer Hibiki (1932)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2013}}
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name = Almaty
|native_name = Алматы
|settlement_type = City
|image_skyline = File:Almaty Collage.png
|imagesize = 345px
|image_caption='''Left to right, top to bottom:''' [[Ascension Cathedral, Almaty|Ascension Cathedral]] in [[Park of 28 Panfilov Guardsmen, Almaty|Panfilov Park]]; [[Kazakh-British Technical University]]; Panoramic view of Almaty from the hills of the [[Kok Tobe]]; [[Abay Opera House]]; [[Golden Warrior Monument]] in the [[Republic Square, Almaty|Republic Square]]; Entrance gate to the Park of the First President; View of the [[Almaty Tower]].
|image_flag = Flag of Almaty.svg
|image_seal =
|image_shield = Coat of arms of Almaty.svg
|motto =
|image_map = 
|map_caption = 
|pushpin_map = Kazakhstan
|pushpin_label_position = bottom
|pushpin_mapsize =200px
|pushpin_map_caption = Location in Kazakhstan
|coordinates = {{coord|43|16|39|N|76|53|45|E|region:KZ|display=inline,title}}
|subdivision_type = Country
|subdivision_name=[[Kazakhstan]]
|subdivision_type1 = [[Provinces of Kazakhstan|Province]]
|subdivision_type2 =
|subdivision_name1 = Almaty
|subdivision_name2 =
|established_title = First settled
|established_date = 10–9th century BC
|established_title2 = Founded
|established_date2 = 1854
|established_title3 = Incorporated (city)
|established_date3 = 1867
|government_type =
|leader_title = Akim <small>(mayor)</small>
|leader_name = [[Bauyrzhan Baybek]]
|area_magnitude =
|area_total_km2=682
|area_total_sq_mi= 
|area_land_km2=
|area_land_sq_mi= 
|area_water_km2=
|area_water_sq_mi= 
|area_urban_km2=
|area_urban_sq_mi= 
|area_metro_km2= 
|area_metro_sq_mi=
|elevation_footnotes =
|elevation_m=500–1700 
|elevation_ft=1640–5577
|population_total = 1,703,481
|population_as_of = 2016-01-01
|population_footnotes =<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stat.gov.kz/getImg?id=ESTAT094980 |title=Қазақстан Республикасы Ұлттық экономика министрлігі Статистика комитеті |publisher=Stat.gov.kz |accessdate=2015-06-20}}</ref>
|population_density_km2=auto
|population_density_sq_mi= 
|population_urban =
|population_metro =
|postal_code_type = [[Postal code]]
|postal_code = 050000–050063
|area_code = +7 727<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.almaly.almaty.kz/page.php?page_id=93&lang=2&news_id=483 |title=Code Of Access |publisher=Almaly.almaty.kz |accessdate=2 January 2012}}</ref>
|website = http://www.almaty.kz
|footnotes =
|timezone = [[UTC+6]]
|utc_offset = +6
|timezone_DST =
|utc_offset_DST =
|blank_name = [[ISO 3166-2:KZ|ISO 3166-2]]
|blank_info = ALA
|blank1_name = [[License plate]]
|blank1_info = '''02''' ('''A''' - on older plates)
}}
'''Almaty''' {{IPAc-en|ˈ|æ|l|m|ə|t|i}} ({{lang-kz|Алматы}}, ''Almatı''  {{IPA-kz|ɑlmɑˈtə|}}; {{lang-ru|Алматы}}), formerly known as '''Alma-Ata''' {{IPAc-en|ˌ|æ|l|m|ə|.|ə|ˈ|t|ɑ:}} ({{lang-ru|Алма-Ата}}) and '''Verny''' ({{lang-ru|Верный/Verný}}), is the largest city in [[Kazakhstan]], with a population of 1,703,481 people, containing 9% of the country's total population. Almaty is considered a [[Global city|World City]] with a "Beta -" classification according to [[Globalization and World Cities Research Network|GaWC]].<ref>[http://www.lboro.ac.uk/gawc/world2012t.html]</ref> It served as capital of the Kazakh state in its various forms from 1929 to 1997, under the influence of the then [[Soviet Union]] and its appointees.<ref name="KazStat">{{cite web |url= http://stat.kz/digital/naselsenie/Pages/default.aspx |title= Население |publisher=Stat.kz |date= |accessdate=2013-01-11}}</ref> Alma-Ata was the host city for a 1978 international conference on [[Primary healthcare|Primary Health Care]] where the [[Alma Ata Declaration]] was adopted, marking a paradigm shift in global public health. In 1997, the government relocated the capital to [[Astana]] in the north of the country.

Almaty continues as the major commercial and cultural centre of Kazakhstan, as well as its biggest population center. The city is located in the mountainous area of southern Kazakhstan in the foothills of the [[Trans-Ili Alatau]] at an elevation of 2,300–3,000 feet (700–900 m), where the Large and Small Almatinka rivers run into the plain.<ref name="britannica">[http://www.britannica.com/place/Almaty-Kazakhstan "Almaty, Kazakhstan"], ''Encyclopædia Britannica''</ref>

==Status==
From 1929 to 1936, Almaty was the capital of [[Kazak Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic|Kazakh ASSR]]. From 1936 to 1991 it was the capital of Kazakh SSR. After Kazakhstan became independent in 1991, Almaty continued as the capital until 1997, when Astana was designated a return to the historic capital.

Almaty remains the largest, most developed, and most ethnically and culturally diverse city in Kazakhstan. Due to development by the Soviet Union and relocation of workers and industries from European areas of the Soviet Union during [[World War II]], the city has a high proportion of ethnic [[Russians]] and [[Ukrainians]]. The city is in the foothills of [[Trans-Ili Alatau]] (or [[Trans-Ili Alatau|Zailiysky Alatau]]) in the extreme south-east.

It has a relatively mild climate with warm summers and quite cold winters. Since the city is in a tectonically active area, it has an endemic risk of earthquakes. Although most do not cause any significant damage, Almaty has suffered some large destructive [[earthquake]]s.

In 1997 the capital was moved to [[Astana]] in the north-central part of the country. Since then Almaty has been referred to as the 'southern capital' of Kazakhstan.

==Name==
The name ''Almaty'' has its roots in the medieval settlement ''Almatu'', that existed near the present-day city.{{citation needed|date=April 2013}} A disputed theory holds that the name is derived from the [[Kazakh language|Kazakh]] word for 'apple' (алма), and is often translated as "full of apples".  Originally it was Almatau which means Apple Mountain. The [[Russian language|Russian]] version of the name was ''Alma-Ata (Kaz. Father of Apples)'', however, since independence Russian has tended to use the Kazakh ''Almaty''.

There is great [[genetic diversity]] among the [[wild apple]]s in the region surrounding Almaty; the region is thought to be the apple's ancestral home. The wild ''[[Malus sieversii]]'' is considered a likely candidate for the ancestor of the modern [[apple|domestic apple]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.orionmagazine.org/index.php/articles/article/2961/ | last =Nabhan | first =Gary Paul | title =The Fatherland of Apples | date = May–June 2008 | work = Orion Magazine |accessdate=4 February 2013}}</ref>

The city's name was written as {{lang|fa|آلماتی}} in [[Ottoman turkish language|Turkish]] and [[Persian language|Persian]] written with the [[Perso-Arabic script]].

==History==
{{see also|Timeline of Almaty}}

===Prehistoric Almaty===
During 1000–900 [[Before Christ|BC]] in the [[Bronze Age]], the first farmers and cattle-breeders established settlements in the territory of Almaty.<ref name="history"/> During the [[Saka]] period (from 700 BC to the beginning of the [[Common Era]]), these lands were occupied by the Saka and later [[Wusun]] tribes, who inhabited the territory north of the [[Tian Shan]] mountain range. Evidence of these times can be found in the numerous burial mounds ([[Tumulus|tumuli]]) and ancient settlements, especially the giant burial mounds of the Saka [[tsar]]s. The most famous archaeological finds have been the "[[The Golden man]]", also known as "[[The Golden Warrior]]", from the [[Issyk Kurgan]]; the [[Zhalauly]] treasure, the [[Kargaly]] diadem, and the [[Zhetysu]] arts bronzes (boilers, lamps and altars). During the period of Saka and Wusun governance, Almaty became an early educational centre.<ref name="history">{{cite web|url=http://www.almaty.kz/page.php?page_id=384&lang=2 |title=History of Almaty |publisher=Almaty.kz |accessdate=2 January 2012}}</ref>

===Middle Ages===
During the [[Middle Ages]] (8–10th centuries), a city culture developed in Almaty. There was a transition to a settled way of living, the development of farming and handicrafts, and the emergence of a number of towns and cities in the territory of [[Zhetysu]].{{citation needed|date=January 2014}}  In the 10–14th centuries, settlements in the territory of the so-called "Greater Almaty" became part of the trade routes of the [[Silk Road]], which reached from China to western Asia and Europe. At that time, Almaty became one of the trade, craft and agricultural centres on the [[Silk Road]]. It had an official [[mint (coin)|mint]]. The city was first mentioned as ''Almatu'' in books from the 13th century.{{citation needed|date=January 2014}}

===15th–18th centuries===
In the 15th–18th centuries, the city was in decline as trade activities were decreasing on this part of the [[Silk Road]]. European nations were conducting more trade by shipping. This period was one of crucial ethnic and political transformations. The [[Kazakhs|Kazakh state and nation]] were founded here, close to Almaty.{{citation needed|date=January 2014}}

The [[Dzungar people|Dzungar]] invaded, dominating the Kazakh people for a period. The Kazakh fought to protect their land and preserve independence. In 1730 the Kazakh defeated the Dzungar in the Anyrakay mountains, {{convert|70|km|0|abbr=off}} [[Ordinal directions|north-west]] of Almaty. During the eighteenth century, the city and region was roughly on the border between the [[Khanate of Kokand]] and [[Qing Empire]]. It was then encroached as part of Russian Empire in 1850s.

===Foundation of Verniy===
[[File:Zenkov cathedral.jpg|thumb|[[Ascension Cathedral, Almaty|Zenkov Cathedral]], a 19th-century [[Russian Orthodox Church|Russian Orthodox]] cathedral located in Panfilov Park, is the fourth tallest wooden building in the world.<ref>Ness, Immanuel. ''Encyclopedia of World Cities''. M E Sharpe Reference, 1999. ISBN 0-7656-8017-3. Page 19.</ref>]]
To defend its empire, Russia built [[Fort]] ''Verniy'' near the Zailiysky Alatau mountain range between the Bolshaya and Malenkaya Almatinka rivers. Construction began on 4 February 1854 and was nearly completed by the autumn of that year. The fort was a wooden palisade, shaped like a pentagon, with one side built along the Malaya Almatinka. Later, the wood fence was replaced with a brick wall with embrasures. The main facilities were erected around the large square for training and parading.<ref>[http://lyakhov.kz/semirek/studies/150chron.shtml ] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090108013547/http://lyakhov.kz/semirek/studies/150chron.shtml |date=8 January 2009 }}</ref>
[[File:Акимат Алматы на Площади Республики. Июль, 2015 года.JPG|thumb|223x223px|The former Presidential Palace]]

In 1855 Kazakhs displaced from their nomadic territory appeared in Verniy. Since 1856, Verniy started accepting Russian peasants. They founded the Bolshaya Almatinskaya Stanitsa ([[Cossack]] village) near 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]] merchants and craftsmen.{{citation needed|date=January 2014}}

In 1867 Verniy Fort was developed as a town called ''Almatinsk''; the town soon returned to the name Verniy. {{Citation needed|date=August 2012}}

According to the First City Plan, developed by administrators of the [[Russian Empire]], the city perimeters were {{convert|2|km|0|abbr=off}} on the south along Almatinka river, and {{convert|3|km|0|abbr=off}} on the west. The new city area was divided into residential parts, and the latter into districts. Three categories of city buildings were defined. Category I and II buildings were of one or two-storied construction with a high semi-basement; they were erected around and in the centre of the city, others on the [[Rural-urban fringe|outskirts]].{{citation needed|date=January 2014}}
[[File:Eternal Flame World War II monument. Almaty, Kazakhstan.jpg|left|thumb|World War II monument "Feat" in Park of the 28 Panfilov Guardsmen]]
On 28 May 1887, at 4 a.m., an earthquake almost totally destroyed Verniy in 11–12 minutes. {{Citation needed|date=August 2012}} Brick buildings were damaged the most, as they broke apart because of lack of flexibility. As a result, people were afterwards inclined to build one-storied buildings made of wood or [[adobe]].{{citation needed|date=January 2014}}

By 1906, the population of the city had grown to 27,000, two-thirds of whom were Russians and Ukrainians.

===Soviet Era===
In 1918 following the Russian Revolution and the establishment of the Bolshevik government, [[Soviet (council)|Soviet]] power was established in Verniy. The city and the region became part of the [[Turkestan Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic]] (RSFSR).{{citation needed|date=January 2014}}  On 5 February 1921 the government decided to rename Verniy to Alma-Ata, one of the ancient names of the area.{{citation needed|date=January 2014}}

====Revolution of 1917 to World War II====
{{unreferenced section|date=August 2012}}
[[File:Opera in Almaty.JPG|thumb|227x227px|The Almaty Opera Building]]
[[File:ALA Pushkin street.JPG|left|thumb|Corner Pushkin and Shevchenko streets]]
[[File:ПерекрестокАуэзоваОзтюркаАлмаАтаКазахстанОктябрь2014.JPG|left|thumb|Suburban region streets of Almaty.]]
In 1921, a joint consultation of regional government representatives, professional trade associations, and local faith-based groups was summoned in an effort to rename Verniy. Alma-Ata was the preferred choice.{{citation needed|date=January 2014}}

In 1926, the Council of Labor and Defence approved the construction of the [[Turkestan-Siberia Railway]] that was a crucial element of the future growth of Kazakhstan, especially in the east and southeast of the region. The [[Turkestan-Siberia Railway]] construction also had a decisive economic impact that strongly influenced the destiny of Alma-Ata as the capital of the [[Kazakh ASSR]]. In 1930 the construction of the highway and railway to Alma-Ata was completed.{{citation needed|date=January 2014}}
[[File:ALAtwintowers.jpg|thumb|Rahat Towers are among the tallest buildings in Kazakhstan]]
On 29 April 1927, the government decided to transfer the capital of the [[Kazakh Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic]] from [[Kyzyl-Orda]] to Alma-Ata, within the RFSFR.{{citation needed|date=January 2014}}  This attracted more trade and people working with the government, stimulating intensive development in the city.

On 31 January 1928, [[Leon Trotsky]], leader of the 1917 [[October Revolution]], accompanied by his wife [[Natalia Sedova]] and his son Lev Sedov, was exiled to Alma Ata by [[Joseph Stalin]], then head of the [[Bolshevik party]] in [[Moscow]]. Trotsky was expelled from Alma-Ata to Turkey in February 1929, and went into exile in [[Mexico City]].

The Alma-Ata airport was opened in 1930, opening up a direct connection from Alma-Ata to [[Moscow]], the center of the Soviet government. Alma-Ata became the main entry by air to Kazakhstan, a status which it retains today. Transformation of this small town into the capital of the Kazakh SSR was accelerated by the large-scale construction of new administrative and government facilities and housing.{{citation needed|date=January 2014}} The Great Purge of the Stalin era extended to Kazakhstan, where numerous intellectuals, activists, leaders, teachers and others were killed. The Soviet government dominated the population. During the 1930s Kazakh nomads suffered starvation after disruption of their traditional living patterns.

[[File:Almaty 13.jpg|right|thumb|The Central Mosque of Almaty]]
In 1936 the Architecture and Planning Bureau developed a plan to enhance Alma-Ata as the new cultural capital of the Kazakh SSR. The plan was based on the existing rectangular system of districts. They were to be strengthened and reconstructed.{{citation needed|date=January 2014}}

====World War II====
During World War II the government dramatically affected the city's population and structures. To better organize the home front and concentrate industrial and material resources, the government evacuated 26,000 people and numerous industries from the European theatre of war. {{citation needed|date=July 2012}} Alma-Ata hosted over 30 industrial facilities removed from the European section of the [[USSR]], 8 evacuated hospitals, 15 institutes, universities and technical schools; and around 20 cultural institutions. Motion picture [[production companies]] from [[Leningrad]], [[Kiev]], and Moscow were also moved to Alma-Ata at this time.{{citation needed|date=January 2014}} This brought in so many ethnic Russians that the Kazakhs became a minority in the region.

Over 52,000 Alma-Ata residents received the title: ''Gratitude for Your Self-Denying Labour''. Forty-eight residents were granted the title of ''Hero of The Soviet Union''. Three rifle [[Division (military)|divisions]] were raised in Alma-Ata, including the well-known [[8th Guards Rifle Division]] '[[Ivan Panfilov|Panfilov]]' (originally the 316th rifle division), along with 2 rifle [[battalions]] and 3 aviation regiments that were raised on the bases of the air club of Alma-Ata.{{citation needed|date=January 2014}}

====Industrialisation in the Soviet period====
{{unreferenced section|date=July 2012}}
After 1941, due to the mass evacuation of factories and workers from the European part of the [[Soviet Union]] during World War II, Alma-Ata became an administrative and trading centre. Although it had an underdeveloped industrial base it become one of the largest industrial centres of the Soviet Union. It was to the rear of the wartime fronts. {{citation needed|date=January 2014}}

During the years 1941–1945 the industrial potential of the city increased significantly. Development increased during the postwar years. The population of the city grew from 104,000 in 1919 to 365,000 in 1968. By 1967 the city had 145 enterprises, with the bulk of these being [[Light industry|light industrial]] and food industries.

The main industries in Alma-Ata were: food processing (36% of gross industrial output), based largely on locally abundant fruit and vegetable raw materials, light industry (31%), and heavy industry (33%). The main products of the region were:
*'''Food:''' Meat, flour and cereals (pasta factory), milk, wines, canned fruit, tobacco, confectionery, alcoholic spirits, beer, yeast, and tea (packaging)
*'''Light industry:''' textiles, fur, knitting, carpets, footwear, apparel, printing, and the Almaty Cotton combine.
*'''Heavy industry:''' electrical engineering, foundry engineering, car repair, bearing repair, building materials, woodworking, concrete structures and structural elements, and house-building.

===1945 to 2000 infrastructure===
[[File:International conference on Primary Health Care - Conferencia Internacional sobre Atención Primaria de Salud - Almaty -1978.jpg|thumb|227x227px|
The International conference on Primary Health Care in 1978, known as the Alma-Ata Declaration.
]]
From 1966 to 1971, 1,400,000 square metres of [[Public housing|public]] and [[Housing cooperative|cooperative housing]] were built. Annually, around 300,000 square metres of dwellings were under construction. Most of the buildings constructed during this time were [[Seismic analysis|earthquake-proof]] multi-storey buildings. The Soviet government tried to diversify architectural forms to create a more varied cityscape. During this period, many schools, hospitals, cultural, and entertainment facilities were constructed, including Lenin's Palace, the [[Hotel Kazakhstan|Kazakhstan Hotel]], and the "[[Medeo]]" sports complex.{{citation needed|date=January 2014}}

The [[Medeu Dam]], designed to protect the city of Almaty and the Medeo skating rink from catastrophic [[mudflow]]s during flood season, was built in 1966. It was reinforced a number of times in the 1960s and 1970s.{{citation needed|date=January 2014}}

The supersonic transport [[Tupolev]] [[Tu-144]] went into service on 26 December 1975, carrying mail and freight between Moscow and Alma-Ata in preparation for passenger services; these began in November 1977. The Aeroflot flight on 1 June 1978 was the 55th and last scheduled passenger flight of the Tu-144.

Alma-Ata was the host city for a 1978 international conference on [[Primary Health Care]]. The [[Alma Ata Declaration]] was adopted, marking a paradigm shift in global public health.

On 16 December 1986 the [[Jeltoqsan]] riot took place in response to General Secretary [[Mikhail Gorbachev]]'s dismissal of [[Dinmukhamed Kunayev]].{{citation needed|date=January 2014}}

September 7, 1988, the [[subway (rail)|subway]] [[Almaty Metro]] project started construction; the subway was opened on 1 December 2011 after 23 years.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.zakon.kz/site_main_news/4460872-v-almaty-otkrylsja-metropoliten.html |title=В Алматы открылся Метрополитен (фото) |publisher=Zakon.kz |date= |accessdate=2015-06-20}}</ref>

In 1993 the government made a decision to rename the city from Alma-Ata to ''Almaty''.{{citation needed|date=January 2014}}

In 1997 the President of the [[Republic of Kazakhstan]] [[Nursultan Nazarbayev]] approved the Decree to transfer the capital from Almaty to [[Astana]] in the north of the country.<ref>[http://www.akorda.kz/www/www_akorda_kz.nsf/sections?OpenForm&id_doc=80696F88AC705680462572340019E5CD&lang=en ] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071126184729/http://www.akorda.kz/www/www_akorda_kz.nsf/sections?OpenForm&id_doc=80696F88AC705680462572340019E5CD&lang=en |date=26 November 2007 }}</ref> On 1 July 1998 a law was passed to establish the special status of Almaty as a scientific, cultural, historical, financial, and industrial centre.{{citation needed|date=January 2014}}

===21st century===
[[File:Almaty, Kok-tobe exposition 2.jpg|centre|thumb|877x877px|Panoramic night view of Almaty from Kok-Tobe]]
[[File:Trolleybus in Almaty.JPG|thumb|Trolleybus in Almaty city|230x230px]]
The new General Plan of Almaty for 2030 was developed in 1998. It is intended to create ecologically safe, secure, and socially comfortable living conditions in the city. The main objective is to promote Almaty's image as a garden-city.

It proposes continued [[Skyscraper|multi-storied]] and single-housing development, reorganization of industrial districts or territories, improving transport infrastructure, and expanding [[Almaty Metro]]. The first line of Almaty metro was launched on 1 December 2011, two weeks ahead of schedule. The extension of the line to Kalkaman was opened in 2015.
[[File:Alfarabi3.jpg|left|thumb|218x218px|Al-Farabi Avenue.]]
The area of the city has been expanded during recent years with the annexation of the suburban settlements of Kalkaman, Kok Tube, Gorniy Gigant (Mountain Giant). Numerous apartment blocks and office skyscrapers have transformed the face of the town, which has been built into the mountains.

Almaty was the site of [[2016 shooting of Almaty police officers|a notorious terrorist attack]] in July, 2016, when [[Jihadism|Jihadist]] Ruslan Kulikbayev killed 8 police officers and 2 civilians in a shootout and car chase. Kulikbayev was wounded during the shootout and later sentenced to death for the attack.

==Climate==
The climate in Almaty is a [[humid continental climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification]]: ''Dfa'') with hot summers and cold winters. It is characterized by the influence of mountain-valley circulation. This is especially evident in the northern part of the city, located directly in the transition zone of the mountain slopes to the plains.

[[File:Smog over Almaty.jpg|thumbnail|left|Picture taken during a temperature [[Inversion (meteorology)|inversion]], showing smog trapped over Almaty]]
Annual average air temperature is equal to {{convert|10|°C|0|abbr=on}}, the coldest month is January, {{convert|-4.7|°C|0|abbr=on}} (on average), the warmest month (July) {{convert|23.8|°C|0|abbr=on}} (on average). In average years frost starts on about 14 October and ends on about 18 April, with sustained extreme cold from about 19 December to about 23 February, a period of about 67 days. Weather with temperature above {{convert|30|°C|0|abbr=on}} is average for about 36 days a year. In the center of Almaty, like any large city, there is a "heat island" – average daily temperature contrast between the northern and southern suburbs of the city is 3.8% and in the coldest and 2.2% and in the hottest five days. Therefore, frost in the city center starts about 7 days later and finishes 3 days earlier than in the northern suburbs. Annual precipitation is about {{convert|650|to|700|mm|1|abbr=on}}. April and May are the wettest months, during which about a third of the city's annual precipitation is received.

It is not uncommon to see snow or a cold snap hitting Almaty as late as the end of May. For example, in the last quarter century, such snowfalls were recorded on 13 May 1985, 1 May 1989, 5 May 1993 and 18 May 1998. The record latest snowfall in Almaty was on 17 June 1987.

Almaty sometimes experiences winter rain, despite heavy preceding snowfall and low temperatures. The most memorable winter rain took place on 16 December 1996 during a military parade to celebrate the 5th anniversary of the Independence of the Republic.

Almaty Weather Station's GM mostly records south-easterly wind (30%), its resistance increases during the summer (37%) and falls in winter (19%). Wind speeds exceed 15&nbsp;m/s on about 15 days a year, on average.

{{Weather box|location = Almaty
|metric first = Yes
|single line = Yes
| Jan record high C = 18.2
| Feb record high C = 19.0
| Mar record high C = 28.0
| Apr record high C = 33.2
| May record high C = 35.8
| Jun record high C = 39.3
| Jul record high C = 43.4
| Aug record high C = 40.5
| Sep record high C = 38.1
| Oct record high C = 31.1
| Nov record high C = 25.4
| Dec record high C = 19.2
|year record high C = 43.4
| Jan high C = 0.7
| Feb high C = 2.2
| Mar high C = 8.7
| Apr high C = 17.3
| May high C = 22.4
| Jun high C = 27.5
| Jul high C = 30.0
| Aug high C = 29.4
| Sep high C = 24.2
| Oct high C = 16.3
| Nov high C = 8.2
| Dec high C = 2.3
|year high C = 15.8
| Jan mean C = -4.7
| Feb mean C = -3.0
| Mar mean C = 3.4
| Apr mean C = 11.5
| May mean C = 16.6
| Jun mean C = 21.6
| Jul mean C = 23.8
| Aug mean C = 23.0
| Sep mean C = 17.6
| Oct mean C = 9.9
| Nov mean C = 2.7
| Dec mean C = -2.8
|year mean C = 10.0
| Jan low C = -8.4
| Feb low C = -6.9
| Mar low C = -1.1
| Apr low C = 5.9
| May low C = 11.0
| Jun low C = 15.8
| Jul low C = 18.0
| Aug low C = 16.9
| Sep low C = 11.5
| Oct low C = 4.6
| Nov low C = -1.3
| Dec low C = -6.4
|year low C = 5.0
| Jan record low C = -30.1
| Feb record low C = -37.7
| Mar record low C = -24.8
| Apr record low C = -10.9
| May record low C = -7.0
| Jun record low C = 2.0
| Jul record low C = 7.3
| Aug record low C = 4.7
| Sep record low C = -3.0
| Oct record low C = -11.9
| Nov record low C = -34.1
| Dec record low C = -31.8
|year record low C = -37.7
|precipitation colour = green
| Jan precipitation mm = 34
| Feb precipitation mm = 43
| Mar precipitation mm = 75
| Apr precipitation mm = 107
| May precipitation mm = 106
| Jun precipitation mm = 57
| Jul precipitation mm = 47
| Aug precipitation mm = 30
| Sep precipitation mm = 27
| Oct precipitation mm = 60
| Nov precipitation mm = 56
| Dec precipitation mm = 42
|year precipitation mm = 
|Jan humidity = 77
|Feb humidity = 77
|Mar humidity = 71
|Apr humidity = 59
|May humidity = 56
|Jun humidity = 49
|Jul humidity = 46
|Aug humidity = 45
|Sep humidity = 49
|Oct humidity = 64
|Nov humidity = 74
|Dec humidity = 79
|year humidity = 
|unit rain days =
|Jan rain days=4
|Feb rain days=5
|Mar rain days=11
|Apr rain days=14
|May rain days=15
|Jun rain days=15
|Jul rain days=15
|Aug rain days=10
|Sep rain days=9
|Oct rain days=10
|Nov rain days=8
|Dec rain days=6
|year rain days=
|unit snow days=
|Jan snow days=11
|Feb snow days=13
|Mar snow days=8
|Apr snow days=2
|May snow days=0.2
|Jun snow days=0
|Jul snow days=0
|Aug snow days=0.1
|Sep snow days=0.1
|Oct snow days=2
|Nov snow days=6
|Dec snow days=11
|year snow days=
|Jan sun = 118
|Feb sun = 119
|Mar sun = 147
|Apr sun = 194
|May sun = 241
|Jun sun = 280
|Jul sun = 306
|Aug sun = 294
|Sep sun = 245
|Oct sun = 184
|Nov sun = 127
|Dec sun = 101
|year sun = 2356
|source 1= Pogoda.ru<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pogodaiklimat.ru/climate/36870.htm |title=Climate of Almaty |publisher=Погода и Климат |accessdate=January 13, 2015 }}</ref>
|source 2 = NOAA (sun 1961–1990)<ref name= NOAA>
{{cite web
| url = ftp://ftp.atdd.noaa.gov/pub/GCOS/WMO-Normals/TABLES/REG_II/KS/36870.TXT
| title = Almaty Climate Normals 1961–1990
| publisher = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]]
| accessdate = January 13, 2015}}</ref>
}}

==Seismic activity in the territory of Kazakhstan==
{{refimprove section|date=December 2013}}
Industrially developed and densely populated areas in the south and southeast of Kazakhstan are situated in the zones where the maximum magnitudes of expected earthquakes are from 6.0 to 8.3 (the intensity of I0=8–10).

The south seismic active zone of Kazakhstan is a part of the North Tian-Shan ridge system. The main city of Almaty is located near the Zailiski Alatau mountain base. In recorded history prior to the late 19th century, three catastrophic earthquakes are known to have taken place there. The following are the dates of occurrence and extracts from the historical chronicles of the times:

*1770, "...Belovodka village was buried";
*1807, "a horrible catastrophe took place in Almaty";
*1865, Strong earthquake

Within the past 125 years, three more strong destructive earthquakes occurred here, with centres not more than 20 – {{convert|130|km|0|abbr=off}} from the current city location. Their magnitudes were 9 and 11 on the MSK scale – 64, and their centres were located within {{convert|100|km|0|abbr=off}}. Centres were located in a south and south–east directions:
*(1887 y., K=17.14) Vernenskoe
*(1889 y., K=19.12) Chilik,
*(1911 y., K=18.76) Keminskoe

K – indicates the energy of the earthquake.

In each of these earthquakes, the city suffered wide destruction.<ref>(Baimakhan, Dashdorj, 2006)</ref>

The Territory of the Kyrgyz State adjoins North Tian-Shan.<ref>(Aitmatov, Kojogulov, Nikolskaya, 1994.).</ref>

==Demographics==
Ethnic groups (2010):<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stat.kz/publishing/Pages/Archives_2000.aspx |title=Archives_2000 |publisher=Stat.kz |date= |accessdate=2013-03-25}}</ref>

{{Div col|4}}
* [[Kazakhs|Kazakh]]: 51.06%
* [[Russians|Russian]]: 33.02%
* [[Uyghurs|Uyghur]]: 5.73%
* [[Koreans|Korean]]: 1.9%
* [[Tatars|Tatar]]: 1.82%
* [[Ukrainians|Ukrainian]]: 1.24%
* Others: 5.23%
{{Div col end}}

According to the USSR Census of 1989, the population of Almaty was 1,071,900; the Kazakhstan Census of 1999 reported 1,129,400.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://demoscope.ru/weekly/2002/057/analit04.php |title=О некоторых итогах переписи населения Казахстана |publisher=Demoscope.ru |date= |accessdate=2015-06-20}}</ref>

==Economy==
Almaty generates approximately 20 per cent of Kazakhstan's GDP (or $36 billion in 2010). The nation is the most powerful economically in [[Central Asia]] and Almaty is a key financial center. It is considered to be a [[Global city|Beta- Global City]] as of the 2012 [[Globalization and World Cities Research Network|GaWC]] study.<ref name = "GaWC Intro">{{cite web|url=http://www.lboro.ac.uk/gawc/gawcworlds.html |title=GaWC - The World According to GaWC |publisher=Lboro.ac.uk |date= |accessdate=2015-06-20}}</ref>

One of the largest industries in Almaty is finance, and its [[financial export]]s make it a large contributor to Kazakhstan's balance of payments. Almaty is home to [[BTA Bank]], which is the largest bank in Central Asia, [[Kazkommertsbank]], and other major banks. The [[Kazakhstan Stock Exchange]] is based in Almaty.

Almaty is also developing as a regional financial and business centre (RFCA).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nationalbank.kz/?docid=768&switch=english|title=National Bank of Kazakhstan|last=|first=|date=|website=|publisher=|access-date=}}</ref>

Under construction is the 'Almaty Financial District and Esentai Park'. This was designed by [[T.J. Gottesdiener]], who designed both [[7 World Trade Center]] in New York City and [[Time Warner Center]] in [[Tokyo Midtown]], respectively. Its goal is to become the largest business centre in Central Asia. {{citation needed|date=August 2012}} [[Esentai Tower]], a 37-floor building in the park, is the tallest mixed-use building in Kazakhstan, housing offices of companies such as [[Ernst & Young]], [[HSBC]] and [[Credit Suisse]]. The first Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Kazakhstan opened in 2013 in [[Esentai Tower]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Ritz-Carlton Plans Kazakhstan Debut by End of 2013|url=http://www.satrapia.com/news/article/ritz-carlton-plans-kazakhstan-debut-by-end-of-2013/|newspaper=The Gazette of Central Asia|date=4 December 2012|publisher=Satrapia}}</ref>

Along with professional services, media companies are concentrated in Almaty. The media distribution industry has been growing rapidly since 2006. Major broadcasting channels KTK and NTK are based in Almaty, as are several national newspapers.

There are plans to construct a Western Europe-Western China highway, passing through Almaty. A new airport in Almaty expects to handle about 45 million tonnes of cargo each year. [[Air Astana]] is headquartered in the Air Astana Centre 1 in Almaty.<ref>[http://www.airastana.com/kaz/gb/headoff ] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100728115004/http://www.airastana.com/kaz/gb/headoff |date=28 July 2010 }}</ref> Prior to their dissolution, [[Air Kazakhstan]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/2004/2004-09%20-%200068.html?search=%22Air%20Kazakhstan%22 |title=air jamaica &#124; 2004 &#124; 09 - 0068 &#124; Flight Archive |publisher=Flightglobal.com |date= |accessdate=2015-06-20}}</ref> and [[Kazakhstan Airlines]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1995/1995%20-%200880.html?search=%22Kazakhstan%20Airlines%22 |title=1995 &#124; 0880 &#124; Flight Archive |publisher=Flightglobal.com |date= |accessdate=2015-06-20}}</ref> were also headquartered in Almaty.

The economy of Almaty city and Almaty Region continues to grow, and is expected to increase at nearly 6 percent per year until 2020.<ref name=wb1>{{cite web|title=Keeping the Lights On in Kazakhstan's Largest City|url=http://www.worldbank.org/en/results/2015/04/30/keeping-the-lights-on-in-kazakhstans-largest-city|website=http://www.worldbank.org/}}</ref> To mitigate the rapidly increasing electricity demand caused by this growth, the Kazakh authorities decided to upgrade the power system by building the new transmission line and modernizing the substations.<ref name="wb1"/> The Alma Transmission Project, supported by the World Bank, has helped achieve this goal.<ref name="wb1"/>

==Sights==
===Kök Töbe===
[[File:TV-Turm Almaty - 3.jpg|thumb|290x290px|[[Kok Tobe]] Tower]]
An [[aerial tramway]] line connects downtown Almaty with a popular recreation area at the top of [[Kok Tobe|Kök Töbe]] ({{lang-kk|Көктөбе}}, which means 'Sky High', a mountain just to the southeast. The city television tower, [[Almaty Tower]], is located on the hill. It has a variety of tourist attractions, such as a zoo, amusement-park style rides and restaurants.

===Fountains===
According to the city's Department of Natural Resources and Resource Use Management,<ref>[https://archive.is/20070521220106/http://www.almatyeco.kz/1311]</ref> {{As of|2007|lc=y}} the city has 125 fountains. Among them is the "Oriental Calendar" Fountain, whose 12 sculptural figures represent the 12 animals of the Kazakh 12-year animal cycle (similar to [[Earthly Branches|its Chinese counterpart]]).

=== Medeo ===
[[File:Medeo.jpg|thumb|Medeo]]
The [[Medeu|Medeo]] is an outdoor [[speed skating]] and [[bandy]] rink. It is located in a mountain valley (Medeu Valley, or the valley of Malaya Alma-Atinka River) on the south-eastern outskirts of Almaty, [[Kazakhstan]]. Medeu sits 1,691 metres above sea level, making it the highest skating rink in the world. It has 10.5 thousand square meters of ice and utilizes a sophisticated freezing and watering system to ensure the quality of the ice.

=== Shymbulak ===
[[Shymbulak]] is a [[ski resort]] near Almaty, located in the upper part of the Medeu Valley in the [[Zaiilisky Alatau]] mountain range, at the elevation of 2,200 metres (7,200&nbsp;ft) above sea level. The resort area is about 25 kilometres (16&nbsp;mi) south of Almaty city by the [[Medeo]] road. It is popular for its mild climate, large quantity of sunny days and great amount of snow through the winter (from November till May).

=== Big Almaty Lake ===
[[Big Almaty Lake]] is a natural lake located in Trans-Ili Alatau mountains on 2511 above the sea level near Almaty (15&nbsp;km South from Almaty).
As a majority of lakes in Trans-Ili Alatau, this lake accrued in result of earthquake.

==Transportation==
[[File:Air astana plane taking off.jpg|thumb|290x290px|Almaty International Airport is the largest airport in Kazakhstan.]]
The closest airport to Almaty is [[Almaty International Airport]] located {{convert|15|km|mi}} to the northeast.

[[Sayran Bus Terminal]] provides intercity bus connections within [[Kazakhstan]], as well as international connections to [[Kyrgyzstan]] and [[China]] and regional bus connections west of the city. [[Sayakhat bus terminal]] provides regional bus connections to places north and east of the city.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://caravanistan.com/travel/kazakhstan/almaty/bus-stations/ |title=Bus stations in Almaty |publisher=Caravanistan |accessdate=2 September 2015}}</ref>

[[Kazakhstan Temir Zholy]]'s has two stations [[Almaty-1 railway station|Almaty-1]] (located 20 minutes drive from Almaty) and [[Almaty-2 railway station|Almaty-2]] located within the city.<ref>http://caravanistan.com/travel/kazakhstan/almaty/train-station/</ref>

Since September 2016, a [[bicycle-sharing system]], [http://almatybike.kz/ Almaty-bike] allows to go around the city by bicycle.

==Education==
{{See also|List of schools in Almaty}}

===Universities===
{{Main article|List of universities in Kazakhstan}}

{{Div col}}
* [[Almaty Management University]] (ALMU)
* [[International Information Technology University]] (IITU)
* [[Kazakh-British Technical University]] (KBTU)
* [[University of International Business]]
* [[Kazakh National Medical University]]
* [[Almaty Institute of Power Engineering and Telecommunications]]
* [[Kazakh National Technical University]] (KazNTU)
* [[Al-Farabi Kazakh National University]] (KazNU)
* [[Suleyman Demirel University]] (SDU)
* [[KIMEP University]] (KIMEP)
* Kazakh-American University (KAU)
* [[Kazakh National Academy of Arts|Kazakh National Academy of Arts named by T.Zhurgenov]]
* Kazakh Academy of Sciences
* Kazakh Academy of Labour and Social Relations
* Kazakh National Pedagogic University (named after Abay)
* Turan University
* Kazakh University of International Relations and World Languages (named after Abylai khan)
* [[Central Asian University]] (ЦАУ)
* Kazakh-German University (КНУ)
* [[Kazakh Leading Academy of Architecture and Civil Engineering]]
* [[Kazakh Economic University]] named after T. Ryskulov (KazEU, Narhoz)
* Kazakh National Agrarian University (SHI, AEZVI)
* International Business Academy
{{Div col end}}

==Sport==
[[File:Bandy in Medeu Kazakhstan.JPG|thumb|The final of [[Bandy at the 2011 Asian Winter Games|the bandy tournament at the 2011 Asian Winter Games]] between [[Kazakhstan national bandy team|Kazakhstan]] and [[Mongolia national bandy team|Mongolia]]]]

The historic [[bandy]] team Dinamo won the Soviet Championships in 1977<ref>{{cite web|url=http://akzhajik.ucoz.kz/_nw/5/11184970.jpg|format=JPG|title=Team picture of the 1977 league champions|publisher=Akzhajik.ucoz.kz|accessdate=2015-06-20}}</ref> and 1990<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bandynet.ru/files/mimages/dynamoaa-90.jpg|format=JPG|title=Team picture of the 1990 league champions|publisher=Akzhajik.ucoz.kz|accessdate=2015-06-20}}</ref> and the [[European Cup (bandy)|European Cup]] in 1978. Their home ground was [[Medeo|Medeu]]. Bandy was introduced for the first time at the [[2011 Winter Asian Games]].<ref>[http://astana-almaty2011.kz/gis/menu/en/News_Center/news.aspx?pagenum=1&tid=2] {{dead link|date=June 2015}}</ref> Medeu was the main arena at the [[2012 Bandy World Championship]].<ref>{{cite web|author=emh solutions |url=http://www.worldbandy.com/news.asp?newsid=58&title=Matches%20on%20the%20high-latitude%20arena%20Medeu |title=Matches on the high-latitude arena Medeu &#124; Federation of International Bandy |publisher=Worldbandy.com |date= |accessdate=2015-06-20 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150620161801/http://www.worldbandy.com/news.asp?newsid=58&title=Matches%20on%20the%20high-latitude%20arena%20Medeu |archivedate=20 June 2015 |df=dmy }}</ref> The second arena built for the championships is an alternative field at [[Almaty Central Stadium]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://translate.google.ca/translate?hl=en&sl=ru&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Ffrsk.kz%2Fhockey%2Fhockey_posts%2F23204-renessans-nachinaetsyahokkey.html |title=Google Translate |publisher=Translate.google.ca |date=2013-01-07 |accessdate=2013-01-11}}</ref>  The city is now a candidate to host to host also the 2020 [[Bandy World Championship]].[https://translate.google.co.uk/translate?hl=en&sl=ru&u=http://www.sport.ru/hockey/Respublika_Komi_podala_zayavku_na_provedenie_CHM-2021_po_hokkeyu_s_myachom/article340977/] The [[Federation of International Bandy]] has opened an office for Asia, which is located in Almaty.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://translate.google.ca/translate?hl=en&sl=ru&u=http://sport.mail.ru/news/hockey-bandy/8000427/&ei=vRIsT8urCM_ltQahl72GDQ&sa=X&oi=translate&ct=result&resnum=1&sqi=2&ved=0CDAQ7gEwAA&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dhttp://sport.mail.ru/news/hockey-bandy/8000427/%26hl%3Den%26biw%3D1440%26bih%3D797%26prmd%3Dimvns |title=Google Translate |publisher=Translate.google.ca |date=2013-01-07 |accessdate=2013-01-11}}</ref>

Almaty will be the host of the [[2017 Winter Universiade]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://almaty2017.kz/index.php/en/ |title=2017 Winter Universiade home page |publisher=Almaty2017.kz |date=11 November 2011 |accessdate=3 March 2012}}</ref> with bandy on the programme.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fisu.net/en/2017-WU-Update-The-Universiade-in-Almaty-could-serve-as-an-Impetus-to-the-Development-of-Bandy-2644.html?idProduit=2091 |title=The Universiade in Almaty could serve as an Impetus to the Development of Bandy |publisher=Fisu.net |accessdate=3 March 2012}}</ref>

The city's primary football team is [[FC Kairat]] founded in 1954 and one of the most successful Kazakh clubs.

Its basketball team [[BC Almaty]] won the 2015 and 2016 editions of the [[Kazakhstan Basketball Cup]].

===Olympic aspirations===
Almaty was a bidder to host the XXII [[2014 Winter Olympics|Olympic Winter Games]] in 2014,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamesbids.com/english/bids/2014.shtml |title=2014 Winter Olympic Games Bids |publisher=Gamesbids.com |accessdate=2 January 2012}}</ref> but was eliminated from consideration, not making the "short list" of candidate cities. Almaty won its bid to host the [[2011 Winter Asian Games]]. It will be the [[Universiade#2017 Universiade candidate cities|2017 Winter Universiade]] host.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://almaty2017.kz/index.php/en/ |title=Almaty 2017 home page |publisher=Almaty2017.kz |date=11 November 2011 |accessdate=2 January 2012}}</ref> The city was exploring possible bids, such as the [[2018 Winter Olympics]], but did not submit one. Almaty submitted their bid to host the [[2022 Winter Olympics]] in August 2013,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://espn.go.com/olympics/story/_/id/9581262/kazakhstan-almaty-bids-host-2022-winter-games |title=Kazakhstan's Almaty bids to host 2022 Winter Games |publisher=Espn.go.com |date=2013-08-19 |accessdate=2015-06-20}}</ref><ref>[http://www.gamesbids.com/eng/winter_olympic_bids/future_winter_bids/1216136727.html ] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006122431/http://www.gamesbids.com/eng/winter_olympic_bids/future_winter_bids/1216136727.html |date=6 October 2014 }}</ref> but lost to [[Beijing]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/winter-olympics/33730477|title=Beijing to host 2022 Winter Olympics|publisher=BBC Sport|date=31 July 2015|accessdate=31 July 2015}}</ref>

==People from Almaty==
{{Div col}}
* [[Zhansaya Abdumalik]] (born 2000), chess Woman Grandmaster (WGM) and chess prodigy
* [[Altynai Asylmuratova]] (born 1961), prima ballerina with the Kirov ballet
* [[Eugen Bauder]] (born 1986), model in Germany
* [[Anatoly Bose]] (born 1988), Australian basketball player
* [[Alexander Brener]] (born 1957), film star in Russia
* [[Zarina Diyas]] (born 1993), tennis player
* [[Nagima Eskalieva]] (born 1954), singer and entertainer
* [[Dmitri Fofonov]] (born 1976), Racing cyclist
* [[Alexey Korolev]] (born 1987), ski jumper
* [[Nikolay Karpenko]] (born 1981), ski jumper
* [[Ruslana Korshunova]] (1987–2008), model in Russia
* [[Olessya Kulakova]] (born 1977), volleyball representative for Germany
* [[Regina Kulikova]] (born 1989), tennis player
* [[Dinmukhamed Konayev]] (1912–1993), politician
* [[Fuat Mansurov]] (1928–2008), Soviet and Russian conductor
* [[Dmitriy Ogai]] (born 1960), soccer trainer and Soviet soccer player
* [[Sergei Ostapenko]] (born 1986), soccer player
* [[Alexander Parygin]] (born 1973), olympic athlete
* [[Alexander Petrenko]] (1976–2006), basketball representative for Russia
* [[Boris Polak]] (born 1954), Israeli world champion and Olympic sport shooter
* [[Vadim Sayutin]] (born 1970), ice speed skater in Russia
* [[Thomas Schertwitis]] (born 1972), water polo
* [[Olga Shishigina]] (born 1968), Olympic Champion in hurdling
* [[Konstantin Sokolenko]] (born 1987), Nordic combined skier/ski jumper
* [[Igor Sysoev]] (born 1970) open-source software engineer, founder of nginx, Inc.
* [[Elena Likhovtseva]] (born 1975), tennis player
* [[Denis Ten]] (born 1993), figure skater
* [[Yernar Yerimbetov]] (1980), gymnast
* [[Anatoly Vaisser]] (born 1949), French chess grandmaster
* [[Radik Zhaparov]] (born 1984), ski jumper
* [[Vladimir Zhirinovsky]] (born 1946), politician
* [[Elena Zoubareva]] (born 1972), opera singer
{{Div col end}}

==Gallery==
{{Gallery
|File:Modern_Almaty.jpg|A street in the modern part of the city
|File:Центральный_Государственный_музей_Республики_Казахстан.JPG|The Central State Museum of Kazakhstan
|File:E8562-Almaty-Lake-Sayran.jpg|Lake Sayran, on the western side of the city
|File:Raimbek-Emtsov.JPG|Aerial view of Raymbek avenue
|File:Алматинское метро 008.JPG|Raymbek batyr Station, Almaty Metro
|File:Almaty Mosque (4002011065).jpg|Mosque in Almaty
|File:AscensionCathedralAlmaty002.jpg|The Ascension Cathedral during Winter
|File:The Beatles on Green Hill in Almaty, Kazakhstan.jpg|Bronze statues of The Beatles by sculptor Eduard Kazaryan
||Nurly-Tau Business district 
|File:ALAFurmanova162.JPG|Old House, since 1908, at Furmanov street
|File:Musirepov theater for youngs.jpg|The Musrepov Academic Youth Theater
|File:Almaty street.jpg|Pedestrian shopping street in Almaty
|File:Medeobanen1.jpg|The Medeo ice skating stadium
|File:TWC, KazNU Campus.JPG|Al-Farabi Kazakh National University
|File:Fontan in the park kz.jpg|Fountain in Almaty
|File:Железнодорожная станция Алматы-1 3049775.jpg|Almaty 1 train station
}}

===Twin towns – sister cities===
{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in Asia#Kazakhstan|l1=List of twin towns and sister cities in Kazakhstan}}

Almaty is [[Twin towns and sister cities|twinned]] with:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.almaty.kz/page.php?page_id=1717&lang=2 |title=Official internet-resource of ALMATY city :: Twin-cities |publisher=Almaty.kz |date= |accessdate=2015-06-20}}</ref>
{| " text-align:left;font-size:100%; |
|-
! style="background:#39e; color:white; height:17px; width:120px;"| Country
! ! style="background:#39e; color:white; width:140px;"| City
|- style="color:black; background:white;"
|! !| {{Flag|Egypt}}
|! !| [[File:Alexandria Logo2.png|25px]] [[Alexandria]]
|-
|! !| {{Flag|Kyrgyzstan}}
|! !| [[File:National emblem of Kyrgyzstan.svg|25px]] [[Bishkek]]
|-
|! !| {{Flag|Hungary}}
|! !| [[File:Coat of Arms of Hungary.svg|25px]] [[Budapest]]
|-
|! !| {{Flag|South Korea}}
|! !| [[File:Coat of arms of South Korea.svg|25px]] [[Daegu]]
|-
|! !| {{Flag|Turkey}}
|! !|[[Istanbul]]
|-
|! !| {{Flag|Russia}}
|! !| [[File:Coat of Arms of Kazan (Tatarstan) (2004).png|25px]] [[Kazan]]
|-
|! !| {{Flag|Belarus}}
|! !| [[File:Coat of arms of Minsk.svg|25px]] [[Minsk]]
|-
|! !| {{Flag|Somalia}} 
|! !| [[File:Coat of arms of Somalia.svg|25px]] [[Mogadishu]]<ref name="Uatwvt">{{cite book|title=USSR and Third World, Volume 3|year=1973|publisher=Central Asian Research Centre|page=209|url=https://www.google.com/books?id=K3fiAAAAMAAJ}}</ref>
|-
|! !| {{Flag|Russia}}
|! !| [[File:Coat of Arms of Moscow.svg|25px]] [[Moscow]]
|-
|! !| {{Flag|France}}
|! !| [[File:Armoiries république française.svg|25px]] [[Rennes]]
|-
|! !| {{Flag|Latvia}}
|! !| [[File:Coat of Arms of Latvia.svg|25px]] [[Riga]]
|-
|! !| {{Flag|Russia}}
|! !| [[File:Coat of Arms of the Russian Federation.svg|25px]] [[St. Petersburg]]
|-
|! !| {{Flag|Israel}}
|! !| [[File:Emblem of Israel.svg|25px]] [[Tel Aviv]]
|-
|! !| {{Flag|United States}}
|! !| [[File:Flag of Tucson, Arizona.png|25px]] [[Tucson]]<ref name="Tucson sisters">{{cite web|url=http://www.sister-cities.org/interactive-map/Tucson%20Sister%20Cities|title=Tucson Sister Cities|work=Interactive City Directory|publisher=Sister Cities International|accessdate=4 September 2013}}</ref>
|-
|! !| {{Flag|China}}
|! !|  [[Ürümqi]]
|-
|! !| {{Flag|Lithuania}}
|! !| [[File:Coat of Arms of Lithuania.svg|25px]] [[Vilnius]]
|-
|! !| {{Flag|Indonesia}}
|! !| [[File:Lambang_Kota_Bandung.svg|25px]] [[Bandung]]
|-|
|}

==See also==
* [[A. Kasteyev State Museum of Arts]]
* [[Alma Ata Declaration]]
* [[Almaty International Airport]]
* [[Central State Museum of Kazakhstan]]
* [[FC Kairat]]
* [[Kazakhstan International School]]
* [[Kazakhstan National Museum of Instruments]]
* [[Malus sieversii]]
* [[Shymbulak]] – ski resort
* [[WikiBilim|WikiBilim Public Foundation]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Almaty}}
* [http://www.almaty.kz/page.php?lang=2 City of Almaty] Official website
* [http://www.almaty-kazakhstan.net Almaty Tourism Website]
*{{Wikivoyage-inline|Almaty}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120701185152/http://en.alaport.com:80/main.html Link to Almaty airport]

{{Provinces of Kazakhstan}}
{{Cities of Kazakhstan}}
{{Asian Games Host Cities}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Almaty| ]]
[[Category:Cities in Central Asia]]
[[Category:Former national capitals]]
[[Category:Populated places along the Silk Road]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1854]]
[[Category:Populated places in Kazakhstan]]
[[Category:Regions of Kazakhstan]]
[[Category:Semirechye Oblast]]
[[Category:1854 establishments in Russia]]