Almaty also known by its former names Verny and Alma-Ata is the former capital of Kazakhstan and the nation's largest city with a population of 2 866 868 (as of September 1 2008). This represents approximately 9% of the population of the country. Almaty was the capital of the Kazakh SSR and its successor Kazakhstan from 1929 to 1997. Despite losing its status as the capital to Astana in 1997 Almaty remains the major commercial center of Kazakhstan.
