Almaty is a region of Kazakhstan. Its capital is Taldykorgan, which has a population of 123,000. Population of the region: 1,807,894 (2009 Census results); 1,557,269 (1999 Census results).

Geography

Almaty Region is the region which surrounds the city of Almaty. The region borders Kyrgyzstan and Xinjiang in the People's Republic of China. The region also touches three other regions of Kazakhstan: Jambyl Region to the west, Karaganda Region to the northwest, and East Kazakhstan Region to the north. Almaty Region has an area of 224,000 square kilometres.

Much of the northwestern border of the region runs along Lake Balkhash, whose main affluent, the Ili River, is the most significant river of the region. In the region's northeast, it shares the four lakes of the Alakol Depression (Lakes Alakol, Sasykkol, Koshkarkol, and Zhalanashkol) with East Kazakhstan Region. Other lakes within the region include Bartogay Lake and Kapshagay lakes, Lake Issyk, Kaindy and Kolsai lakes.

The Trans-Ili Alatau branch of the Tian Shan Mountains extends from China and Kyrgyzstan into Almaty Region, along its southern border with Kyrgyzstan. Farther to the northeast, the Dzungarian Alatau runs along the region's border with China.

The Charyn Canyon is one of the region's famous scenic spots.

History

Alma-Ata Region, the predecessor of today's Almaty Region, was created from the historical region of Zhetysu on March 10, 1932. Its capital was Alma-Ata (Almaty). Several times during the Soviet period, the north-eastern part of the region, centered on Taldykorgan, was separated from Alma-Ata Region, forming a separate Taldy-Kurgan Region, only to be merged into Alma-Ata Region again several years later.

In April 2001 the administrative center of Almaty Region was moved from Almaty to Taldykorgan. Thus Taldykorgan has become a regional capital again - this time without splitting the region.

Administrative divisions

The region is administratively divided into sixteen districts and the cities of Kapchagay, Taldykorgan, and Tekeli.

Aksu District, with the administrative center in the settlement of Zhansugirov;

Alakol District, the town of Usharal;

Balkhash District, the village of Bakanas;

Enbekshikazakh District, the town of Esik;

Eskeldi District, the settlement of Karabulak;

Ile District, the settlement of Otegen Batyr;

Karasay District, the town of Kaskelen;

Karatal District, the town of Ushtobe;

Kerbulak District, the settlement of Saryozek;

Koksu District, the settlement of Balpyk Bi;

Panfilov District, the town of Zharkent;

Raiymbek District, the village of Kegen;

Sarkand District, the town of Sarkand;

Talgar District, the town of Talgar;

Uygur District, the village of Chundzha;

Zhambyl District, the village of Uzynagash.

Demographics

In the 1989 census (excepting Alma-Ata):

Kazakhs: 54.2%.

Russians: 28.6%.

Uigurs: 7.8%.

Others: 9.4%.

In the 1999 census (excepting Almaty):

Kazakhs: 66.4%.

Russians: 23.8%.

Uigurs: 7.0%.

Others: 4.6%.

In the 2009 census (excepting Almaty):

Kazakhs: 68.2%.

Russians: 22.8%.

Uigurs: 6.2%.

Other: 3.8%.