# Semey

> city in Eastern Kazakhstan, capital of Abay Region

**Wikidata**: [Q61944](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q61944)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semey)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/semey

## Summary
Semey (formerly known as Semipalatinsk) is a city of regional significance located in Eastern Kazakhstan, serving as the capital of the Abay Region. Founded in 1718, it has a population of approximately 350,201 as of 2020 and covers an area of 210 square kilometers. The city has historically been part of the Russian Empire, Soviet Union, and modern Kazakhstan, and is officially known as Семей in Kazakh.

## Key Facts
- **Official Name:** Семей (Semey); known as Semipalatinsk until June 20, 2007.
- **Location:** Eastern Kazakhstan; Capital of the Abay Region (also written as Abai Region).
- **Coordinates:** 50.411111°N, 80.2275°E.
- **Area:** 210 square kilometres.
- **Elevation:** 206 meters above sea level.
- **Population:** 350,201 (2020); 299,264 (2009); 269,574 (1999); 334,112 (1989); 282,574 (1979).
- **Inception:** 1718.
- **Timezone:** UTC+06:00 (Asia/Almaty).
- **Postal Code Range:** 070000–071411.
- **Local Dialing Code:** +7 7222.
- **UN/LOCODE:** KZPLX.
- **Head of Government:** Jermak Salimow.
- **Administrative ID (CATO):** 101010000 (effective June 8, 2022).
- **Website:** https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/abay-semey

## FAQs

**What is the history of the city's name?**
The city was officially known as Semipalatinsk (Семипалатинск) from its inception in 1718 until June 20, 2007. On June 21, 2007, the official name was changed to Semey (Семей), though it retains the native label Семей in Kazakh.

**Which countries and administrative regions has Semey belonged to?**
Throughout its history, Semey has been governed by the Tsardom of Russia, the Russian Empire, the Russian Republic, the Alash Autonomy, the Russian SFSR, and the Soviet Union. It has been part of the Republic of Kazakhstan since December 17, 1991. Administratively, it has served as the capital of the Semipalatinsk Oblast and the Abay Region, and was previously located in the East Kazakhstan Region.

**What are the twin cities of Semey?**
Semey is twinned with Ypres and Rubtsovsk (twinned since 2014).

**How has the population of Semey changed over time?**
The population has fluctuated over the decades: 282,574 (1979), 334,112 (1989), 269,574 (1999), 299,264 (2009), and 350,201 (2020).

## Why It Matters
Semey serves as a critical administrative and historical hub in Eastern Kazakhstan. As the capital of the Abay Region, it plays a central role in the governance and cultural identity of the area, named after the famed Kazakh poet Abai Qunanbauli. Its strategic importance is underscored by its long history as a military and administrative center, documented in encyclopedias as early as the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica. The city's renaming in 2007 marked a significant shift in reclaiming cultural identity post-independence, distancing from the Russian imperial name "Semipalatinsk."

## Notable For
- **Administrative Capital:** Serves as the capital of the Abay Region.
- **Historical Longevity:** Established in 1718, making it one of the older settlements in the region.
- **Name Change:** Notable for its official renaming from Semipalatinsk to Semey in 2007.
- **Geographical Size:** Covers a substantial area of 210 square kilometers.
- **Historical References:** Described by major historical sources including the Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary and the Encyclopædia Britannica 11th edition.

## Body

### Geography and Climate
Semey is situated in Eastern Kazakhstan at coordinates 50.411111°N, 80.2275°E. The city rests at an elevation of 206 meters above sea level and spans a total area of 210 square kilometres. It operates within the UTC+06:00 timezone, specifically the Asia/Almaty timezone.

### History and Sovereignty
The city was founded in 1718. Its political sovereignty and administrative location have shifted numerous times over the centuries:
- **1718 – 1721:** Tsardom of Russia (Siberia Governorate).
- **1721 – 1917:** Russian Empire (various administrative divisions including Tomsk Governorate and Semipalatinsk County).
- **1917:** Briefly part of the Russian Republic and the Alash Autonomy.
- **1917 – 1922:** Russian Socialist Federative Soviet Republic.
- **1922 – 1991:** Soviet Union (Semipalatinsk Oblast, East Kazakhstan Region).
- **1991 – Present:** Republic of Kazakhstan.

The city's administrative location changed as recently as June 8, 2022, when it transitioned from the East Kazakhstan Region to Semey Qalasy within the Abay Region.

### Administration and Government
Semey is classified as a "city of regional significance" (a large human settlement). The current Head of Government is Jermak Salimow. The city's administrative identifiers include a CATO ID of 101010000 (updated in 2022) and a UN/LOCODE of KZPLX.

### Demographics
The city has experienced variable population growth according to census data:
- **1979:** 282,574
- **1989:** 334,112
- **1999:** 269,574
- **2009:** 299,264
- **2020:** 350,201

### Culture and International Relations
Semey maintains international connections through its sister city relationships. It is twinned with **Ypres** and **Rubtsovsk** (formalized in 2014). The city is categorized under "Category:Semey" and "Category:People from Semey" for associated personalities. It is referenced culturally by its seal and coat of arms, and it has a dedicated banner image used for documentation.

### Identifiers and Infrastructure
Semey possesses a wide array of international and digital identifiers reflecting its global integration:
- **GND ID:** 6075653-6 (Semei) / 5114775-0 (Semipalatinsk).
- **VIAF ID:** 155973328.
- **GeoNames ID:** 1519422.
- **OpenStreetMap Node ID:** 27524816.
- **Library of Congress Authority ID:** n83030063.
- **Encyclopædia Britannica Online ID:** place/Semey-Kazakhstan.

The city's communication infrastructure includes the local dialing code **+7 7222** and a postal code range of **070000–071411**. Its official government website is accessible in Kazakh at `https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/abay-semey`.

### Historical Naming
The city is known by many aliases due to its multi-ethnic history and name change. Aliases include Semipalatinsk, Semei, Semipalátinsk, Sémeï, Semipolalinsk, Semej, セミパラチンスク (Semipalatinsk), 塞米巴拉金斯克, 塞梅, Семипалатинск, and Доржинкит. The official name shifted from **Semipalatinsk** to **Semey** on **June 21, 2007**.

## References

1. Source
2. archINFORM
3. Virtual International Authority File
4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
5. MusicBrainz
6. Population Census in Kazakhstan (1999)
7. 1979 Soviet census
8. 1989 Soviet census
9. Flickr Shapefiles Public Dataset 2.0
10. GeoNames
11. Quora
12. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)
13. [iNaturalist](https://www.inaturalist.org/places/inaturalist-places.csv.zip)