Almaty is the largest city in Kazakhstan, with a population of over 1.7 million. Some key facts about Almaty include that it was founded in 1854, served as the capital until 1997, and is home to many historical and cultural sites such as the Zenkov Cathedral and Medeo skating rink. Almaty has experienced several earthquakes over the years, including a 2011 quake that caused damage, and is located near the Trans-Ili Alatau mountains.