This city was founded in 1854, as a Russian frontier fort named Verny on the Silk Route, which was renamed Alma-ata in 1927 meaning Father of Apples, and was the capital city of Kazakhstan from 1929 - 1997. Its current population is estimated to be round about 1 909 200.
It is said that this area of Almaty is the generic home of many of the cultivated apples that we find on the market today. A good traditional story links the taking of the apple from the tree in the old testament to Almaty. The Turkic name for apple is Alma and Ata meaning forefather, which could lay it open to being translated as the origin of the apple or the garden of Eden.
Almaty has various parks, monuments and fountains scattered around town, as well as a large range of museums, shops, and restaurants.
During spring time the tulips are in full bloom around town. Interestingly, most Dutch varieties of tulips can trace their origins back to Central Asia. There are 36 known types of tulips grown in Kazakhstan, half of which are listed in the Endangered Species list.
During the summer it has a truly European feeling with all the coffee shops spilling out on to the sidewalks. For those, that love being outdoors no matter the season, the mountains (which are easily accessible from town) are a great place for various types of activities from hiking to skiing.
Locals pride themselves in being inhabitants of the most cosmopolitan city of Central Asia, and they take pride in their traditions and the beauty of their city.
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