Once an obscure township on Kazakhstan’s wolf-plagued plains, Astana has outgrown its teen years and is now firmly established as the country’s capital city.
Rising From The Steppe: Kazakhstan’s Capital Turns 20
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The millions of newly planted trees have reportedly lifted the average temperature by a fraction, and significantly dampened the wind. The planting project continues today.
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As Astana prepares to celebrate its 20th birthday on July 6, its inhabitants will also (perhaps somewhat unwittingly) be celebrating Nazarbaev, who timed the anniversary to coincide with his own 78th birthday.