# Kokshetau

> city in Kazakhstan, seat of Akmola Region

**Wikidata**: [Q490643](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q490643)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kokshetau)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/kokshetau

## Summary
Kokshetau is a city in Kazakhstan and the administrative seat of Akmola Region, situated in the northern part of the country on the continent of Asia. Founded on April 29, 1824, the city serves as a significant regional capital and has historically been known by the name Kokchetav. Located near Lake Kopa and the Kokshetau Massif, it is a major urban center with a population of approximately 176,849 as of 2024.

## Key Facts
- **Inception:** Founded on April 29, 1824.
- **Location:** Located in Akmola Region, Kazakhstan; continent of Asia; coordinates 53.28245°N, 69.39691944444445°E.
- **Area:** 233.97 square kilometers.
- **Elevation:** 234 meters above sea level.
- **Population (2024):** 176,849; projected to rise to 183,170 in 2026.
- **Administrative Status:** Capital of Akmola Region and Kokshetau Uyezd; located within Kokshetau City Administration.
- **Time Zone:** UTC+05:00 and UTC+06:00.
- **Official Name:** Changed from "Kokchetav" to "Kokshetau" on October 7, 1993.
- **Native Name:** Көкшетау.
- **Official Languages:** Kazakh and Russian.
- **Postal Code:** 020000.
- **Dialing Code:** 7162.
- **UN/LOCODE:** KZKOV.
- **Geography:** Named after the Kokshetau Massif; located near Lake Kopa, Shagalaly, and Kylshakty.
- **Infrastructure:** Owner of Okzhetpes Stadium.
- **Twin City:** Waukesha (relationship established September 19, 1989).
- **Identifiers:** VIAF ID 157297096; GeoNames ID 1522203; MusicBrainz area ID 37ac8b29-ee4b-4288-83ec-76e1a43de12d.

## FAQs
**What is the population history of Kokshetau?**
The city's population has grown significantly from 5,705 in 1885 to 176,849 in 2024. It experienced major growth during the Soviet era, reaching 135,424 by 1989, and surpassed its 1990s figures to reach a projected 183,170 by 2026.

**What are the different names used for Kokshetau?**
The city was officially named "Kokchetav" from October 21, 1868, to October 7, 1993, after which it became "Kokshetau." It is also known by numerous aliases including Kökshetaū, Kokchetaou, Kokchetav, Koktschetav, and Kokschetaw.

**Where is Kokshetau located and what is its geography?**
Kokshetau is situated in northern Kazakhstan within Akmola Region. It lies at an elevation of 234 meters, covers an area of 233.97 square kilometers, and is located near bodies of water such as Lake Kopa, Shagalaly, and Kylshakty, named after the nearby Kokshetau Massif.

**What administrative roles does Kokshetau serve?**
It serves as the seat of the Akmola Region and is the center of the Kokshetau City Administration. Historically, it was also the capital of Kokshetau Uyezd and has been part of the Russian Empire and the Soviet Union before becoming part of independent Kazakhstan in 1991.

**What notable facilities and relationships does the city have?**
The city owns the Okzhetpes Stadium and maintains a twin-city relationship with Waukesha, USA, established in 1989. Its official website supports Kazakh, Russian, and English languages.

## Why It Matters
Kokshetau serves as a critical administrative and economic hub in northern Kazakhstan as the capital of Akmola Region. Its strategic location near the Kokshetau Massif and Lake Kopa establishes it as a center for regional governance and resource management. The city's demographic trajectory, recovering from post-Soviet declines to reach new heights in the 2020s, highlights its resilience and ongoing importance in the national urban landscape. Furthermore, its extensive documentation in global encyclopedias and authority files underscores its historical and cultural significance within Central Asia.

## Notable For
- **Historical Name Change:** Officially renamed from "Kokchetav" to "Kokshetau" in October 1993 following the dissolution of the Soviet Union.
- **Geographic Naming:** Named after the Kokshetau Massif, a prominent geological feature in the area.
- **International Relations:** Twinned with Waukesha, Wisconsin, USA, since 1989.
- **Sports Infrastructure:** Home to the Okzhetpes Stadium.
- **Encyclopedic Recognition:** Described in numerous authoritative sources including the Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary, Great Soviet Encyclopedia, and Meyers Konversations-Lexikon.
- **Visual Documentation:** Features a preserved panoramic view from 1890 and a coat of arms adopted in 2002.

## Body

### Geography and Location
Kokshetau is situated on the continent of Asia within the country of Kazakhstan. It serves as the seat of the Akmola Region and is located within the Kokshetau City Administration. The city covers a total area of 233.97 square kilometers and sits at an elevation of 234 meters above sea level. Its geographic coordinates are 53.28245° latitude and 69.39691944444445° longitude.

The city is named after the nearby Kokshetau Massif and is located in proximity to several bodies of water, including Lake Kopa, the Shagalaly River, and the Kylshakty River. Kokshetau operates within two timezones: UTC+05:00 and UTC+06:00.

### History and Administration
Kokshetau was founded on April 29, 1824. Throughout its history, the city has been part of various political entities, including the Russian Empire and the Soviet Union (until 1991), before becoming part of independent Kazakhstan starting in 1991.

Administratively, Kokshetau has held the status of capital for the Akmola Region and historically served as the capital of Kokshetau Uyezd. The city's official name has evolved; it was known as "Kokchetav" from October 21, 1868, until October 7, 1993, when it was officially renamed "Kokshetau." The city is also identified by the UN/LOCODE KZKOV and uses the postal code 020000. The local dialing code is 7162.

### Demographics
The population of Kokshetau has undergone significant changes over the centuries:
- **19th Century:** 5,705 (1885); 4,962 (1897); 4,273 (1910).
- **Early 20th Century:** 7,796 (1920); 10,383 (1923); 11,060 (1926); 12,500 (1931).
- **Mid 20th Century:** 19,260 (1939); 23,400 (1945); 52,909 (1959); 80,564 (1970); 103,162 (1979).
- **Late 20th Century:** 135,424 (1989); 139,000 (1990); 143,300 (1991); 145,200 (1992); 144,000 (1993).
- **21st Century:** 123,389 (1999); 122,445 (2000); 135,106 (2009); 139,063 (2013); 145,531 (2017); 146,104 (2020); 150,649 (2022); 176,322 (2023); 176,849 (2024); 183,170 (2026 projection).

### Identity and Culture
The native label for the city is Көкшетау. It possesses a rich array of aliases, including Kökshetaū, Kokchetaou, Kokchetav, Koktschetav, Kokschetaw, and the Japanese コクチェタフ. The city's official languages are Kazakh and Russian.

Visually, Kokshetau is represented by a seal and a coat of arms that has been in use since 2002. Notable imagery includes a view of Abylai Khan Square and a panoramic photograph of the city dating back to 1890. The city is categorized for people born there, those who have died there, and honorary citizens.

### Infrastructure and Economy
Kokshetau owns the Okzhetpes Stadium, a key sports facility. The city maintains an official government website providing information in Kazakh, Russian, and English. It has established a municipal partnership with Waukesha, beginning on September 19, 1989.

### External References and Identifiers
Kokshetau is cataloged in numerous global databases and encyclopedic sources:
- **Identifiers:** GND ID (10357662-9), FAST ID (1294453), VIAF ID (157297096), Freebase ID (/m/02c8ky), GeoNames ID (1522203), BabelNet ID (03225064n), MusicBrainz area ID (37ac8b29-ee4b-4288-83ec-76e1a43de12d), and Library of Congress authority ID (n2001119711).
- **Encyclopedic Sources:** The city is described in the *Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary*, *Small Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary*, *Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1926–1947)*, *Geographical statistical dictionary of the Russian Empire*, *New Encyclopedic Dictionary*, *Kazakhstan. National encyclopedia*, *Armenian Soviet Encyclopedia*, *Meyers Konversations-Lexikon*, and *Encyclopædia Britannica Online*.
- **Other IDs:** Includes the Canadiana Name Authority ID (ncf12013831), Bibliothèque nationale de France ID (16994614q), and Great Russian Encyclopedia portal ID (kokshetau-339588).

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. BnF authorities
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
4. MusicBrainz
5. [Source](https://istmat.org/files/uploads/66169/sbornik_svedeniy_po_rossii_za_1884-1885.pdf)
6. [Source](https://www.demoscope.ru/weekly/ssp/rus_gub_97.php)
7. [Source](https://rusneb.ru/catalog/000199_000009_003981466/)
8. [Source](https://istmat.org/files/uploads/26366/perepis_1920_vyp._3.pdf)
9. Source
10. [Source](http://pop-stat.mashke.org/kazakhstan-cities.htm)
11. [Source](https://istmat.org/files/uploads/17630/sssr_ad-ter_delenie_1931_rsfsr.pdf)
12. 1979 Soviet census
13. 1989 Soviet census
14. [Source](https://istmat.org/files/uploads/59659/dy90.pdf)
15. [Source](https://istmat.org/files/uploads/49341/regionalnyy_stat_ezhegodnik_kazahstana_1991.pdf)
16. Population Census in Kazakhstan (1999)
17. [Source](https://www.demoscope.ru/weekly/2009/0363/analit02.php)
18. Census in Kazakhstan 2009
19. [Source](https://stat.gov.kz/api/iblock/element/280746/file/ru/)
20. [Source](https://stat.gov.kz/api/iblock/element/341325/file/ru/)
21. GeoNames