Almaty

The name Almaty has its roots in the medieval settlement Almatau, that existed near the present-day city. A disputed theory holds that the name is derived from the Kazakh word for 'apple' (алма), and is often translated as "full of apples". "Its former name, Alma-Ata, translates to 'father of the apples'". Its current name could be a pluralization of a Turkic word for "father". It is mentioned in the 16th-century Bāburnāma under the spelling Almatu (Chagatay: الماتو). Its past name was Almatau, meaning 'Apple Mountain'. There is genetic diversity among the wild apples in the Almaty region; the region west of the Tian Shan mountains is thought to be the apple's ancestral home. Nikolay Vavilov suggested the Malus sieversii is a candidate for the ancestor of the modern domestic apple.

During 1000–900 BC in the Bronze Age, the first farmers and cattle-breeders established settlements in the territory of Almaty. During the Saka period (from 700 BC to the beginning of the Christian era), these lands were occupied by the Saka and later Wusun tribes, who inhabited the territory north of the Tian Shan mountain range with evidence of these times found in the numerous burial mounds (tumuli) and ancient settlements, especially the giant burial mounds of the Saka tsars. The most famous archaeological finds have been "The Golden Man", also known as "The Golden Warrior", from the Issyk Kurgan; the Zhalauly treasure, the Kargaly diadem, and the Zhetysu arts bronzes (boilers and altars). During the period of Saka and Wusun governance, Almaty became an early education center. …

Almaty is located in south-eastern Kazakhstan, almost 1000 km from the capital Astana. Kyrgyzstan's capital Bishkek is 190 km to the west, while Ürümqi in China is almost 1000 km east. The region is also home to the Mynjylky mountain plateau, an elevated plain located at the source of the Malaya Almaatinka river at an altitude of 3000 meters above sea level. Almaty has a humid continental climate (Köppen climate classification: Dfa) with hot summers and cold winters. It is characterized by the influence of mountain–valley circulation. This is evident in the northern part of the city, located directly in the transition zone of the mountain slopes to the plains.Annual average air temperature is equal to 10 °C (50 °F), the coldest month is January, −4.7 °C (24 °F) (on average), the warmest month (July) 23.8 °C (75 °F) (on average). …

Almaty was, in 2020, considered to be "Kazakhstan's cultural capital", as contemporary Almaty has a more European character due to more cafes and restaurants with outdoor seating and public green space. Almaty is the historical capital of intellectualism in Kazakhstan as a product of Almaty's location along the Silk Road, and because many Russian intellectuals were exiled to the region. The Abai Kazakh State Opera and Ballet Theatre has placed the city's theater scene since 1934 and was founded around a community of local performance artists. The Kasteyev State Museum of Arts was founded in 1935, is the largest museum in Kazakhstan, and has the largest collection of artworks by Kazakh classic and contemporary artists. The wild apple Malus sieversii is generally accepted as having first emerged in the Almaty area and figure in Almaty's culture. …

Almaty generates approximately 20% of Kazakhstan's GDP (or $36 billion in 2010). The city accounts for about 20% of government revenues and 60% of bank credits. Almaty is also a financial center, as is considered to be a Beta-Global City as of the 2012 GaWC study. One of the industries in Almaty is finance, and its financial exports make it a large contributor to Kazakhstan's balance of payments. Almaty is home to Halyk Bank, which is the largest bank in Central Asia, Kaspi Bank, and other major banks. The Kazakhstan Stock Exchange is based in Almaty. Almaty is also developing as a regional financial and business centre (RFCA). Under construction is the 'Almaty Financial District and Esentai Park'. This was designed by T.J. Gottesdiener, who designed both 7 World Trade Center in New York City and Tokyo Midtown. Its goal is to become the largest business centre in Central Asia. …

The closest airport to Almaty is Almaty International Airport located 15 kilometres (9+1⁄2 mi) northeast of the city centre. Sayran Bus Terminal provides intercity bus connections within Kazakhstan, as well as international connections to Kyrgyzstan and China and regional bus connections west of the city. Sayakhat Bus Terminal provides regional bus connections to places north and east of the city. Kazakhstan Temir Joly has two stations: Almaty-1 (located 20 minutes drive from the city center, and reserved mostly for cargo) and Almaty-2 located within the city and reserved for passengers. In 2011 the Almaty Metro opened, and a light rail line was built in 2011. A bicycle-sharing system, Almaty-bike, has been in operation since September 2016. People can buy a monthly card and ride freely.