Astana – capital of modern Kazakhstan with the population more than 650 thousand persons, is located on the river Ishim. Akmola (the former name of a city) has been based in 1830 by colonel Feodor Kuzmichom Shubin-second, the participant of the Borodino battle. Akmola in transfer from the Kazakh language means «the White Tomb», or «the White Relic». In twenty kilometres from a city the natural boundary with the same name is located, at top of a white which calcareous hill is a tomb of local man.

On December 10th, 1997 Astana has been officially declared by Republic Kazakhstan capital. After finding of the capital status and the organisation of a special economic zone «Astana — a new city», in a city actively develop set of architecturally-town-planning projects. In spite of the fact that Astana — not the largest economic centre of Kazakhstan, in a city is available set of factories and factories, including factory "Metallist", pump, iron, car-repair and other enterprises of mechanical engineering and metal working. Besides, there is a chemical plant, the enterprises easy and the food-processing industry, sawing and brick factories, printing house and another.

Also there are four higher educational institutions, the Akmolinsky regional philharmonic society, theatres, museums, libraries.