Astana, the young and most peculiar capital in the world
After Kazakhstan gained indepence from the USSR in 1991 the autocratic President Nursultan Nazarbayev, ever since in power, ordered to construct a new capital for the low populated country which is the size of western Europe.
Billions of dollars from oil and gas have been used to create flashy designed buildings. Amongst them, a tower in the shape of a flower vase, a pyramid, emerald colored apartment blocks, the world largest marquee shopping mall, gigantic, ¨Games of Thrones¨ style monuments, a fairy tale presidential palace and many more Lego style arrangements designed by architect’s labels.
The city is still spreading out in the lonely and desolated endless steppe.
