I C R W   2 0 0 6

International Cosmic Ray Workshop
«T i e n — S h a n 2006»

WELCOME TO ALMATY!

Almaty, also Alma-Ata is the largest city of Kazakhstan, on the Great and Little Almaatinka rivers in the southeastern part of the country. Almaty is located in the foothills of the Tian Shan mountains near China. The city is the processing center of a fertile fruit-producing region. Besides processed food, manufactures include mining machinery, electrical equipment, textiles, motion pictures, and tobacco products. Known as one of the loveliest cities of the former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), Almaty has opera and ballet theatre with daily high quality performances, a symphony orchestra, the State university, and an Academy of sciences. Founded around the Russian fort Zailiyskoe in 1854, the city was known as Verny from 1855 to 1921.
Earthquakes in 1887 and 1911 and a flood in 1921 badly damaged the city. In the 1920s Almaty developed into a major economic center when it became a terminus on the newly built Turkistan-Siberian Railroad. In 1929 Almaty was made the capital of the Kazakh Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic (ASSR), later the Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic (SSR), and in 1991 it became the capital of independent Kazakhstan. The capital moved to the northern city of Astana (formerly Aqmola) in 1997. Population (1993 estimate) 1,176,000.

Background

Almaty is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. It is indeed the greenest in summer, the whitest in winter. Autumn is the golden season while spring is the time when the city's greenery wake up from three-four months of silence and sweet slumber. The continental climate makes every season distinct and changes the way the city looks. The name Almaty comes from the Kazakh word 'alma', which means 'apple'. It used to be true to claim that it had the sweetest fruits in the world also called as the fore-father of all apples, or 'Alma-Ata' as it is officially written in old Soviet maps.

Today Almaty is the financial and cultural center of Central Asia. One of the first reactions of the foreigners coming to the city is that it is the most 'European' in its architecture, which owes to its Soviet architects.

Almaty is surrounded by the most beautiful mountain range called Alatau, which in Kazakh means “colorful mountains”. These could be seen from every corner of the city making it common for the locals to use phrases 'to go up' or 'to go down' a road in their direct meaning. On the foothills there is the highest skating ring in the world that hosted winter Olympic Games in 1980s. Chimbulak skiing resort is one of the most frequent places to visit and one might be surprised to get the best quality services on European standards offered to its guests.

One can find that Almaty has its own atmosphere of friendliness, hospitality and beauty.

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