| | | Is a city you can't locate on a map about to become the world's hottest travel destination?
( I got a kick out of this article.... the architecture in some of these new cities, especially in the UAE and nearby small mideast oil countries on the Arabian Gulf are impressive -- Khazakhstan is energy resource
rich which helps )
Kazakhstan has the largest and strongest performing economy in Central Asia. Supported by rising oil output and prices, Kazakhstan’s economy grew at an average of 8% per year until 2013, before suffering a slowdown in 2014 and 2015 [71] Kazakhstan was the first former Soviet Republic to repay all of its debt to the International Monetary Fund, 7 years ahead of schedule. [72]
Buoyed by high world crude oil prices, GDP growth figures were between 8.9% and 13.5% from 2000 to 2007 before decreasing to 1–3% in 2008 and 2009, and then rising again from 2010. [73] Other major exports of Kazakhstan include wheat, textiles, and livestock. Kazakhstan is a leading exporter of uranium. [74] [75]
Kazakhstan’s economy grew by 4.6% in 2014. [76] The country experienced a slowdown in economic growth from 2014 sparked by falling oil prices and the effects of the Ukrainian crisis [77] The country devalued its currency by 19% in February 2014. [78] Another 22% devaluation occurred in August 2015. [79]
Kazakhstan’s fiscal situation is stable.
Kazakhstan's 131 ethnicities include Kazakhs (63% of the population), Russians, Uzbeks, Ukrainians, Germans, Tatars, and Uyghurs. [15] Islam is the religion of about 70% of the population, with Christianity practised by 26%; [16] Kazakhstan officially allows freedom of religion, but religious leaders who oppose the government are suppressed. [17] The Kazakh language is the state language, and Russian has equal official status for all levels of administrative and institutional purposes. [3] [18]
Astana boasts a glam skyline rarely rivaled by European cities
by Hugh Morris
23 JUNE 2017 • 4:04PM
European cities are all about charm and character – shimmering skylines are not really our style. North America do them pretty well - New York, LA, Toronto - and Asia has some beauties - think Singapore and Hong Kong - but Europe? Not so much.
There is one (almost) on our doorstep, however. And it's poised - rather unexpectedly - to be the next hot destinations for travelers in search of a more adventurous city break.
Introducing Astana. First up: can you find it on map? The answer is below.
Did you get it right?It's E. Astana is the capital of Kazakhstan, the world's ninth largest country by area. Congratulations if you got it right.
The Palace of Peace and Reconciliation, designed by Norman Foster CREDIT:
Why should I go?Kazakhstan’s glittering capital is already regarded in niche travel circles for its captivating architecture, with the skyline increasingly filling with ambitious, space-age skyscrapers and monuments, including the 150-metre Bayterek Tower and the Palace of Peace and Reconciliation, designed by acclaimed British architect Norman Foster. But it is now taking a confident step towards showcasing its cityscape to the world.
The announcement that two major global hotel chains are setting up shop in the city - ahead of the imminent Expo 2017 world fair - suddenly make the central Asian city feel a little closer.
The city's KazMunayGas building lit up at night CREDIT: NUTTHAVOOD PUNPENG/NUTEXZLES
Sure, Kazakhstan is not on many British bucket lists, but the Ritz Carlton and St Regis think that might be about to change.
The former promises 157 rooms clad with exotic marble and luxurious woods in downtown’s Talan Towers, while the latter, in Astana Central Park, will be home to 120 rooms in a palatial, neoclassical design. Marriott and Radisson already have properties in the city.
What even is an Expo?
Remember the World Fair that gave London its Crystal Palace in 1851? The Expos (expositions) are the modern evolution of The Great Exhibition, but maintain the same purpose: to showcase to the world the strengths and prospects of the host city or nation.
The Khan Shatyr tent, also designed by Norman Foster CREDIT:
The great and good have enjoyed expositions since London’s effort - New York, Chicago and Paris, to name a few - while the modern-day expos have taken in cities such as Brisbane, Barcelona and Hanover, not to mention Plovdiv in Bulgaria, Tsukuba in Japan, and Zaragoza in Spain.
The latter were all “specialized expos” focusing on a particular topic, such as sustainability or technology, as is Astana’s, with “future energy” at the centre of the celebrations.
The Bayterek Tower usually holds a prime spot in the city's skyline
Kazakhstan’s president, Nursultan Nazarbayev, is keen for Expo 2017 to be the beginning of Astana’s future. For it, he ordered the construction of the Khan Shatyr Entertainment Centre, also designed by Norman Foster and his firm, a miniature golf course, a river, a beach resort and a monorail.
A number of the world’s exposition have left indelible marks on their host cities - Brussels retains its Atomium, The Space needle still stands in Seattle, while Shanghai’s China pavilion, built for Expo 2010, is today the China Art Museum.
Dubai is next in line to host the next Expo in 2020, while Lodz in Poland is competing with Minneapolis, Rio and Buenos Aires for the following event.
Why else might you visit Astana?Beyond the impressive architecture, Astana boasts a rich Soviet history. The city’s old centre still harbours a “Soviet atmosphere”, according to the Kazakh tourist board. There is also an ornate theatre named after Russian author Maxim Gorky.
The Nur Astana Mosque is the third largest in central Asia CREDIT: THIS CONTENT IS SUBJECT TO COPYRIGHT./JANE SWEENEY
Visiting in 2008 for Telegraph Travel, James Mackintosh found the city on the cusp of change.
“For all its grand pretensions, Astana retains something of the Russian and Soviet steppe trading post of its roots,” he wrote. “Traces of elegant, pastel-coloured, tsarist merchant mansions; the bustle of the dusty streets; the familiar Soviet grid-avenues lined with birch trees and ugly 1950s housing blocks; the cosy but elegant Russian drama theatre; the ubiquitous circus.
“Placid, gold-toothed women sit all day at street stalls selling raspberries, cucumbers and varieties of forest berries in cut-off plastic bottles. Astana girls, miniskirted and flirtatious, Russian blondes and oriental-looking Kazakhs, cling giggling together like natural-born cousins.
The city's Soviet past is still evident in parts CREDIT: THIS CONTENT IS SUBJECT TO COPYRIGHT./MICHAEL RUNKEL
“At Line Brew, a Belgian pub quirkily designed as a Crusader castle, a Nordic-looking family and friends are swilling back lager. They speak Russian but this scene could be anywhere in Germany. They are Volga Germans, shunted by Stalin to this backwater many decades ago. We’re at the heart of Central Asia but, the paradox is that much of the culture is European.”
How do I get to Astana?Air Astana, the nation’s flag carrier, flies direct to Astana International Airport from London Heathrow, with prices starting around £500 return for the seven hour service. Flying via Kiev with Ukraine International can cut £200 off the price, but will double the time. Likewise, flights via Moscow with Aeroflot.
Flights to Astana are quite pricey CREDIT: NUTTHAVOOD PUNPENG/NUTEXZLES
What else does Kazakhstan have to offer?Kazakhstan is the proud owner of some immense countryside, including the nation’s answer to the Grand Canyon, in the form of Charyn Canyon. There is also skiing at Shymbulak ski resort, 30 minutes from Almaty, while the hidden Lake Kaindy in the Tien Shan Mountains is a startling sight to behold.
telegraph.co.uk |
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