1. The History of Kazakhstan
A stay in an inviting Almaty hotel is a great way to spend a holiday. Kazakhstan is a
beautiful country to discover, and you will want to see as much of it as you can when
you base yourself in Almaty. A great way to prepare yourself when visiting a country
is to find out a bit about its history first - this can often help you to get even more out
of your time there. Following, then, is a brief guide to the history of Kazakhstan.
Early Days
The area of Central Asia in which Kazakhstan is located has been inhabited since as far
back as the Neolithic period. It is said that the nomadic people of the area were the first
to domesticate the horse, and it's easy to see the evidence of this when you visit the
country today and stay in an Almaty hotel. Horses are a huge and important part of the
culture, and there are many festivals open to tourists incorporating games and
competitions involving horse riding. For more information, visit:
http://www.welovealmaty.com/almaty-luxurytours.html
Emergence of The Kazakh Identity
The Kazakh Khanate was not created until the Mongol invasion of the 13th century, and
it was this period that saw the creation of Kazakhstan. But it was not until two centuries
later in the 15th century, that a real Kazakh identity began to emerge. In the 16th century
the Kazakh language developed along with a culture, and the economy began to develop
as well.
The Russian Empire
A few troubled centuries followed, including the invasion of Kazakh territories by the
Dzungars. However, it was not until the 19th century that the Russian Empire began to
expand into Central Asia, and you can find out more about the effect that the Russians
had on the country during your stay by visiting the museums and galleries.
The traditional nomadic lifestyle of the Kazakhs was affected, and hunger became a
growing problem. Such problems led to the beginning of the Kazakh national movement
in the mid-19th century that was focused on preserving the language and identity. In
1936, Kazakhstan became a Soviet republic, and repression and starvation led to mass
emigration. The Kazakh population declined by over 20% as their identity continued to
be repressed by Stalin.
Kazakh Independence
Growing tension led to the demand for reforms over the following decades, and when
the Russians tested a nuclear bomb, in Semey in 1949, Kazakh anger increased. Decades

2. later in 1986, Almaty became the scene of mass protests - hard to believe these days
from the peaceful surrounds of your modern-day Almaty hotel.
In the end, Kazakhstan declared independence on December 16th, 1991, following the
collapse of the Soviet Union. The country has progressed a lot since then, experiencing
strong economic growth due in part to its large oil and gas reserves.
Enjoy Your Stay in an Almaty Hotel
Kazakhstan is a fascinating country with a turbulent history throughout the centuries.
Your stay in an Almaty hotel will put you on the doorstep of all this history and it is
just up to you to discover it.