Not so long ago, this Kazakh settlement lost its status as the main city of the country. But the history of Almaty did not become poorer and more modest from this. After all, the beautiful definition of the "southern capital" has survived, and the city itself, regardless of status and position, will develop, looking confidently into the future.
History of the city in the Middle Ages
Archaeologists on the territory of the modern city have discovered ancient monuments that date back to the 6th-3rd centuries. BC. It is clear that traces of their stay were left by nomadic and semi-sedentary tribes, primarily the Saks, whose mounds until recently could be seen in the vicinity of Almaty.
Already in the VIII-X centuries of our era, several settlements appeared in the local territories. Scientists suggest that one of them was called Almaty, its feature was a convenient location - on the Great Silk Road. Four hundred years later, the city is already known under the name Almalyk.
Towards the twentieth century
A new stage in the history of Almaty begins with the arrival of Russians, who are actively exploring these territories. The main goals of the guests from the north are the construction of military fortifications to defend the borders of the Russian state and the search for minerals.
In February 1854, the government of the Russian Empire decided to build a fortress on the banks of the Malaya Almatinka River. A year later, the population increased significantly due to Russian settlers, and in 1859 there was more one geographical point on the map of the planet. The city received the symbolic name Verny and the status of the center of the Semirechensk region.
Soviet time
If we talk about the history of Almaty in a nutshell, it begins in 1921, since it was then that the decision was made to rename, return the historical name - Almaty. In 1927, the city received a new status - the capital of the Kazakh ASSR (previously Kyzylorda was considered the main city).
In connection with the acquisition of a new high status, the city begins to develop intensively, new city blocks, industrial enterprises and educational, scientific and cultural institutions appear. In 1936, a new formation appeared in the USSR - the Kazakh SSR, respectively, Almaty, or rather, Alma-Ata, became the capital of the republic.
During the Great Patriotic War, many enterprises were evacuated to Alma-Ata, so the city became a large industrial center of the Soviet Union. All branches of the national economy are developing: light and heavy industries, transport, and the food industry.
With the collapse of the USSR, Almaty was honored to become the main city of the independent state of Kazakhstan. True, in 1997, by decree of the President, the capital was moved to Akmola (now Astana). Almaty remains the largest scientific, educational and cultural center.
