Almaty

Lore & Background

Almaty's history stretches back to the Bronze Age, when farmers and cattle-breeders established settlements. During the Saka period, the area was inhabited by Saka and Wusun tribes, leaving burial mounds and artifacts such as the 'Golden Man' from the Issyk Kurgan. It later became part of the Chagatai Khanate and Moghulistan, serving as an important trade route until its decline in the 15th century due to Temür's attacks. By the early 16th century, the Almaty region came under Kazakh rule. The region was absorbed into the Russian Empire in the 1850s.

Reader's Guide

Almaty's significance lies in its role as the historical and cultural heart of Kazakhstan. As the capital for nearly seven decades, it was the center of political and economic development during the Soviet era and the early years of independence. The city's location at the foot of the Trans-Ili Alatau mountains and its status as the second-largest city in Central Asia underscore its regional importance. The city also houses major educational institutions like Al-Farabi Kazakh National University. The etymology of its name is disputed, with theories linking it to the Kazakh word for 'apple' and the medieval settlement Almatau. The region is considered the ancestral home of the domestic apple, with wild apple genetic diversity found there.

Did You Know?

• The city's former name, Alma-Ata, translates to 'father of the apples', and the region is thought to be the apple's ancestral home.