Astana celebrates 16^th anniversary as capital

    By Assel Satubaldina
    The city of Astana has celebrated its 16^th anniversary as the capital of Kazakhstan, Tengrinews reports, citing Newskaz.ru.
    The Supreme Council of Kazakhstan decided to move the capital from Almaty to Akmola on July 6, 1994. July 6 was later made the official Day of Astana.
    Astana became the capital on December 10, 1997.
    On May 6, 1998 the city was renamed Astana from Akmola. The official international presentation of the new capital was held on June 10, 1998.
    Astana was reportedly made capital for several reasons.
    Almaty, the former capital, had a rather large population and was surrounded by mountains that limited its growth. Almaty is also a seismically active location. Third, due to the increasing population, its ecological situation is worsening.
    ‘History shows that moving a capital usually give a powerful boost to political, economic and social development to the country and attracts a large number of foreign investors’ (original – KNL).
    Moving the capital contributed to an increase of investments by almost 30 times, and a growth in gross regional product by 90 times, Tengrinews reports.