Happy TravellerWelcome to Kostanay, a city located on the Tobol River in northern Kazakhstan. Formerly known as Nikolayevsk and Kustanay, Kostanay is the administrative center of the Kostanay Region. Founded by Russian settlers in 1879, the city has a rich history and cultural heritage. Today, Kostanay is a bustling city with a population of over 200,000 people. Join us as we explore the many attractions and experiences that Kostanay has to offer.
Geographic Location
Kostanay is located in the steppe zone in the north of the Turgay plateau, in the south-eastern part of the West Siberian Plain, on the Tobol River. The nearest city with at least a million inhabitants is Chelyabinsk in Russia, located 260 km north-west of Kostanay.
Public Institutions
Kostanay is home to five institutions of higher education and 22 high schools, which educate over 12,200 students. The state network of culture lists 381 libraries, 201 club establishments, 8 museums, and 2 theatres. Athletic facilities include 2 sports arenas, 26 stadiums, 10 sports complexes and 567 sports halls.
Climate
Kostanay has a warm-summer humid continental climate, with very warm, dry summers and frigid, snowy winters. The average July temperature is 20.9 °C or 69.6 °F and that in January −14.5 °C or 5.9 °F, although sharp changes in temperature during the day are characteristic. Average wind speed is 3.2 metres per second, mainly from the south in winter and from the north in summer. Precipitation averages around 335 millimetres or 13.2 inches with a summer maximum. The average annual humidity is 71 percent and the growing season averages about 170 days.
Culture
Kostanay has a rich historical-cultural heritage. The regional center includes a Sunni mosque, the Regional Administration Building, Kostanay State University, the Kostanay Regional Memorial Museum of Altynsarin, the Kazakh Drama Theatre, Central Square and a railway station. Historical monuments include the Ybyrai Altynsarin monument, the Akhmet Baitursynov monument, a memorial dedicated to victims of the Second World War, the Execution wall (where Alexander Kolchaks army officers were executed by Red Army soldiers), and the Alexander Pushkin monument. The city has 173 monuments of historical and cultural significance. Of these, 3 are of republican significance, 48 local, 25 obelisks and busts and 97 memorial plaques.
Transportation
Kostanay is connected by road with the following cities in Russia: Chelyabinsk, Magnitogorsk, Troitsk, Yekaterinburg, Kurgan and Tyumen. It is also connected to Kokshetau, Astana and Almaty in Kazakhstan. Fifty-three railway stations carry passengers and cargo from the city. Oil is delivered by rail from Russia as well as oil refineries in Kazakhstan. Kostanay International Airport handles common and charter flights to many cities in Kazakhstan, former Soviet republics, Germany (Frankfurt and Hanover), the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, and other countries. The airport also functions as a local port of entry and customs checkpoint.
Sport
Kostanay is home to the FC Tobol football club, based in the Kostanay Central Stadium, which participates in the Kazakhstan Super League. Kostanay also has a basketball team, BK Tobol Kostanay, which participates in the Kazakhstan Basketball Cup. The city has an ice rink for winter sports, and in 2016, a team participated in the national bandy championship in Khromtau for junior players born in 1999–2000.
Notable People
Syrbai Maulenov (1922–1993), Kazakhstan poet
Twin Towns – Sister Cities
Kostanay is twinned with Kirklees, England, United Kingdom.
We hope you enjoyed learning about Kostanay and all it has to offer. Whether you’re interested in history, culture, sports, or just want to experience the unique beauty of northern Kazakhstan, Kostanay is a destination worth exploring.
