Happy TravellerWelcome to Lisakovsk, a city located in the Kostanay Region of northwestern Kazakhstan. This hidden gem is often overlooked by tourists, but it boasts a rich history, breathtaking landscapes, and a unique culture that is sure to captivate any traveler.
== History ==
Lisakovsk owes its existence to a high-phosphorus, 1.72 billion-ton iron ore deposit discovered in 1949. Development did not begin until the 1960s, when the government began to create a village in the wilderness to house miners. In 1971, the village became a city. By decision of the Kazakhi Parliament, the city became a free economic zone in 1992. It began searching for new kinds of employment in a market economy.
== Demography ==
Representatives of 51 different nationalities live in the city, making it a melting pot of cultures and traditions.
== Economy ==
Lisakovsk’s economy is primarily driven by the mining industry. During January–May 2010, industrial enterprises of all kinds produced goods worth 8,289.3 million tenge, 148.5% more than it produced in January–May 2009. The mining industry during this period produced goods worth 6292.7 million tenge, which is 175% higher than the corresponding level last year. In comparison with January–May 2009 iron ore (in kind) increased by 0.8%, bauxite by 9.5%, and zinc ore extraction increased 4.5 times. The share of mining citywide was 75.9%. Lisakovsk is also home to a number of other industries, including food production, machinery, and garment manufacturing.
== Archeology ==
Lisakovsk has a rich history that dates back to the Bronze Age. In 1984, settlements and cemeteries of the Bronze Age were found. The Andronovo culture complex dates from the 15th-18th centuries BC. Over the years, research has revealed more than two thousand square meters of settlements and excavated more than a hundred and fifty burial structures in the form of burial mounds and stone walls. These findings characterize the basic life-support systems and religious ideas of Indo-Iranian tribes that lived in the steppe zone of the Upper Pritobolya in the mid-second millennium BC. The city museum houses the bulk of the finds, including more than 200 ceramic vessels, 30 pieces of gold jewelry in the form of rings, more than 40 bronze ornaments (rings, bracelets, ornaments of the braid), stone, bone and bronze tools. In 2011, Kazakh archeologists found a 3000-year-old burial site during excavation of a mound. Three Bronze Age stone vaults were found; one contained a 2-meter skeleton thought to belong to a chieftain. More than a hundred funerary structures have been studied. Items of funeral rites have been found as well as the remains of wooden structures, fragments of textiles, and evidence of weaving and felt making. One of the rare finds is an idol of anthropomorphic form. The excavations of a Kurgan leader demonstrate the complex cosmogonic idea, inherent in the architectural design of the mound.
== Blazon ==
The coat-of-arms of Lisakovsk was adopted in 1995. The emblem depicts a blue sky with the sun. Beneath it runs a fox – the symbol of the city. Under the fox is a dark brown stripe, blended with the frame. The emblem symbolizes the ground, fertile, rich in various minerals.
== Schools ==
Lisakovsk has 7 schools, each with its own unique focus. GUSSH No. 1 has a sporty bias, GUSSH No. 2 has in-depth study of English language, GUSSH No. 3 is for the Kazakh-speaking children, GUSSH No. 4 is a research school, the Gymnasium has in-depth study of mathematics, GUSSH No. 6 is a PG Boarding school, and the city has a Research School.
Lisakovsk may not be the most well-known destination in Kazakhstan, but it is certainly worth a visit. With its rich history, unique culture, and breathtaking landscapes, it is a hidden gem that is just waiting to be discovered. Book your trip to Lisakovsk today and experience all that this enchanting city has to offer!
