Gallery: The Eccentric Autocrat Who Spent Billions Inventing a City

  • Astana039s neobaroque Avenue of the Republic The grand center of the new town
    Ryan Koopmans
    01

    Ryan-Koopmans-Kazakhstan-Wired-1400-008.jpg

    Aerial view of Astana’s neo-baroque Avenue of the Republic: The grand center of the new town.
  • Image may contain Nature Outdoors Mountain Landscape Scenery Mountain Range Fog and Ice
    Ryan Koopmans
    02

    Ryan-Koopmans-Kazakhstan-Wired-1400-006.jpg

    A residential area of Almaty near the Tien Shan mountains.
  • Image may contain Human Person Outdoors Downtown Urban Town Building City Garden Architecture and Arbour
    Ryan Koopmans
    03

    Ryan-Koopmans-Kazakhstan-Wired-1400-001.jpg

    Topiary swans sit in front of the Kaz Munai Gas Building in Astana’s central business district. They were part of a sculpture competition celebrating Kazakh national culture.
  • Image may contain Office Building Building Banister Handrail Housing and Urban
    Ryan Koopmans
    04

    Ryan-Koopmans-Kazakhstan-Wired-1400-004.jpg

    A decorative country scene adorns a banner covering a fence surrounding a construction site in Astana.
  • Image may contain Human Person Animal Mammal Horse and Equestrian
    Ryan Koopmans
    05

    Ryan-Koopmans-Kazakhstan-Wired-1400-018.jpg

    A French fashion photographer rides a horse near the tourist attraction Medeu in Almaty.
  • Image may contain Nature Outdoors Mountain Human Person Water Mountain Range and Slope
    Ryan Koopmans
    06

    Kazakhstan-TwinCities-RyanKoopmans-PDF-54.jpg

    A sweep view of Big Almaty Lake in the Tien Shan mountain range.
  • Image may contain Plant Fir Tree Abies Transportation Train Track Railway Rail and Pipeline
    Ryan Koopmans
    07

    Ryan-Koopmans-Kazakhstan-Wired-1400-007.jpg

    A pipeline cuts through the Tien Shan Mountains, bringing water from Big Almaty Lake to Almaty.
  • Image may contain Shorts Clothing Apparel Human Person and Path
    Ryan Koopmans
    08

    Ryan-Koopmans-Kazakhstan-Wired-1400-010.jpg

    Boys gather on the artificial banks of the Ishim River in Astana.
  • Image may contain River Water Outdoors Nature Landscape Dam and Scenery
    Ryan Koopmans
    09

    Ryan-Koopmans-Kazakhstan-Wired-1400-005.jpg

    The Sunkar International Ski Jumping Complex in Almaty, photographed in the early spring.
  • Image may contain Nature Outdoors Human Person Water Land Transportation Vehicle Bulldozer and Tractor
    Ryan Koopmans
    10

    Ryan-Koopmans-Kazakhstan-Wired-1400-016.jpg

    An excavator digs in the Ishim River in Astana.
  • Image may contain Human Person Railing Tree and Plant
    Ryan Koopmans
    11

    Ryan-Koopmans-Kazakhstan-Wired-1400-017.jpg

    Military service members set up barriers in Panfilov Park in Almaty in preparation for Victory Day. The holiday celebrates the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany during World War II.
  • Image may contain Landscape Outdoors Nature Scenery Aerial View Neighborhood Urban Building Roof and City
    Ryan Koopmans
    12

    Kazakhstan-TwinCities-RyanKoopmans-PDF-52.jpg

    Soviet-era housing blocks in Almaty.
  • Image may contain Housing Condo Building City Town Urban High Rise Human Person Apartment Building and Water
    Ryan Koopmans
    13

    Ryan-Koopmans-Kazakhstan-Wired-1400-014.jpg

    Girls wade in Astana's outdoor fountains near residential buildings.
  • Image may contain Landscape Outdoors Nature Scenery and Aerial View
    Ryan Koopmans
    14

    Ryan-Koopmans-Kazakhstan-Wired-1400-012.jpg

    The contrast between old and new parts of Astana is striking.
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