Kokshetau

Kokshetau Kökşetau (Kazakh)
City and administrative centre of Akmola Region
Official Cyrillic transcription(s)
• Kazakh Cyrillic	Көкшетау
Skyline of Kokshetau with the city's central Abylai Khan Square in the foreground Historical center of Kokshetau Akmola Regional Museum of History and Local Lore
Coat of arms Brandmark
Nickname:  7162
Anthem: none
Kokshetau Location of Kokshetau in Kazakhstan Show map of Kazakhstan Kokshetau Kokshetau (Asia) Show map of Asia
Coordinates: 53°17′N 69°23′E / 53.283°N 69.383°E / 53.283; 69.383
Country	Kazakhstan
Region	Akmola Region
Founded	19th century (29 April 1824)
City status since	1895; 129 years ago (1895)
Government
• Akim (mayor)	Bauyrzhan Gaisa[1][2]
Area
• City and administrative centre of Akmola Region	234 km2 (90 sq mi)
• Urban	425 km2 (164 sq mi)
Elevation	234 m (768 ft)
Population  (2022 est.)[3][4]
• City and administrative centre of Akmola Region	150,649
• Rank	18th in Kazakhstan 1st in Akmola Region
• Density	624/km2 (1,620/sq mi)
• Urban	165,153
Demonym(s)	Көкшетаулық (kk) Кокшетауцы (ru) Кокшетауец (ru, male) Кокшетаука (ru, female)
Demographics  (2022 est.)[5]
• Kazakhs	59.34%
• Russians	28.38%
• Ukrainians	2.75%
• Tatars	2.22%
• Germans	1.98%
• Poles	1.35%
• Ingush	1.06%
• Other	2.92%
Time zone	UTC+05:00 (Kazakhstan Time)
Postal code	020000–020010
Area code	+7-7162
Vehicle registration	03 (region) (before 2012: C – on older plates)
Sister cities	Waukesha, Wisconsin
Climate	BSk
Highways	A1 A13
International airports	Kokshetau (KOV)
Major railway stations	Kokshetau-1 station
KATO ID	111010000[6]
Website	www.kokshetau.kz

Kokshetau (/ˌkɒkʃɪˈtaʊ/; Kazakh: Kökşetau [kɵkʃʲetɑw] ^ⓘ; lit. 'Blue Mountain'), formerly known as Kokchetav (/ˌkɒktʃɪˈtæv/; Russian: Кокчетав [kəktɕe'taf]) between 1868 and 1993, is a lakeside city in northern Kazakhstan and the capital of Akmola Region. It stretches along the southern shore of Lake Kopa, lying in the north of Kokshetau Hills, a northern subsystem of the Kokshetau Uplands (Saryarka) and the southern edge of the Ishim Steppe. It is named after Mount Kokshe.

It was the administrative center of Kokshetau Region (oblast) from 1944 to 1991 as part of the Soviet Union and from 1991 as part of Kazakhstan to 1997 when it was abolished. It is also situated at the junction of the Trans-Kazakhstan and South Siberian railways. Kokshetau lies at an elevation of approximately 234 m (768 ft) above sea level. The climate of Kokshetau features hot summers and cold winters.

It has 150,649 inhabitants (2022 est.), up from 123,389 (1999 census), while Akmola Region had a total population of 738,587 (2019 est.), down from 1,061,820 (1989 census), making it the tenth most populous region in Kazakhstan.^[7] The city's history has been influenced by people of many nations and religions. Kokshetau retains multiethnic population, with 59% ethnic Kazakhs (up from 36%), the rest being mostly 28% ethnic Russians (down from 42%) and other ethnic groups such as Ukrainians, Tatars and Germans. Kokshetau City Administration (area of 425 km² [164 sq mi]), with a population of roughly 165,153 residents, includes one settlement administration (which consists of the work settlement of Stantsyonny) and the Krasnoyarsk rural district, which includes two rural settlements (the villages of Krasny Yar and Kyzyl-Zhuldyz).

The city is considered to have been founded in 1824 as a military fortress, while it was granted city status in 1895. It was the centre of Kokshetau Region, which was abolished in 1997. It is well known for its nature and tourist sites, such as Burabay and Zerendi, among others. The city's main football team is FC Okzhetpes. Kokshetau is about 185 km (115 mi) from Petropavl, 300 km (190 mi) northwest of the national capital Astana along the A1, 318 km (198 mi) from Omsk along the A13, and 384 km (239 mi) from Kostanay. The city is served by Kokshetau Airport (KOV). The akim (mayor) is Bauyrzhan Gaisa from the Amanat Party.

Kokshetau is an important economic, educational, and cultural centre of the Akmola Region. Attractions in and around Kokshetau include Akmola Regional Museum of History and Local Lore, Bukpa Hill, Kokshetau City Park, Kokshetau City History Museum, Museum of Literature and Art. The northwest entrance to Burabay National Park (Kazakh: Burabai memlekettık ūlttyq tabiği parkı) and Burabay spa town is a little over 43 miles (70 km) from Kokshetau. Kokshetau was awarded the title Kazakhstan City of Culture for the year 2021.^[8][9]