Almaty

Alternate Form: formerly Alma-Ata

Location

Almaty is in the foothills of the Trans-Ili Ala-Tau in Kazakhstan.

Population

approx 1,180,000 (est 1994)

Economic Activity

Almaty is the industrial and cultural center of Kazakhstan and served as its capital for many years. It is a terminus of the Turkistan-Siberia Rail Road. The city's leading industries include fruit canning, meatpacking, tobacco processing, and the repair of railroad equipment.

Overview

The city was founded in 1854 as a Russian fort and trade center known as Verny. The Almaty area is prone to earthquakes and mud slides. The city has a university and is also the site of the Kazakh Academy of Sciences.