Astana (Russian/Kazakh: Астана, formerly known as Akmola (Kazakh: Ақмола / Aqmola) until 1998, Tselinograd (Russian: Целиноград) until 1992 and Akmolinsk (Russian: Акмолинск) until 1961), has been the capital of Kazakhstan since 1997, and is the country’s second largest city (after Almaty, the former capital) with an officially estimated population of 775,800 as of 21 June 2012. It is located in the north portion of Kazakhstan, within Akmola Province, though administrated separately from the province as a federal city area.
The current mayor of Astana is Imangali Tasmagambetov. He was appointed on 4 April 2008.
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