Almaty, Kazakhstan!
If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably heard of Kazakhstan but would have trouble picking it out on a map. Kazakhstan is actually just North of India and the Middle East (the big green country below). It’s part of the former Soviet Union and was once on the Silk Road, the major trade route used to transfer goods between Europe and China between 130 B.C.E. and 1453 C.E. We will be posted to the U.S. Consulate in Almaty for 2 years (maybe 3 if we extend) after Nick completes a year of Kazakh language training in D.C. We will arrive in Almaty late summer of 2023. We’ve pulled some fun facts about Almaty below so you can get to know our new home!
10 Facts About Almaty (and Kazakhstan)
1. Kazakhstan is the 9th largest country by size in the world (roughly the same size as all of western Europe combined and a touch smaller than India), but only has 19 million people, which is less than just the city of Mumbai.
2. The city of Almaty is the largest in Kazakhstan with about two million people, located in the southeast corner near the border of Kyrgyzstan.
3. Almaty (also called by its Russian name, Alma-Ata) used to be the capital of Kazakhstan. Then, in 1997 the capital moved north to Astana, which is now called Nur-Sultan.
4. Almaty literally means ‘city of apple trees’, and, because of its relatively mild climate, it has a wide range of apple trees. The Almaty area is said to be the genetic home for many varieties of apples.
5. Almaty is the cultural, educational, and economic hub of the country and is a major financial, media, and transport hub for Central Asia.
6. Almaty is located in a valley among the Trans-Ili Alatau mountain range and sits around 2,500 ft above sea level.
7. Almaty hosts a ski resort and the world’s highest speed skating track.
8. There’s a cable car downtown that heads up to a park and recreation area above the city.
9. Almaty is now a major industrial center, with the food industry accounting for about one-third of its industrial output.
10. Kazakhstan is home of the Baikonur Cosmodrome, the spaceport where Sputnik launched from. It continues to be one of the world’s busiest spaceports.
We are thrilled about this new adventure in a part of the world we know nothing about. Perhaps most exciting for me is that we’ll have 4 seasons for the first time living overseas! Excited to take a break from the tropics and buy some cozy sweaters!
