Karaganda is a major industrial city in the geographic heart of Kazakhstan. For decades, it was known as the country’s coal capital, playing a central role in the development of the national coal industry. Today, that title is more symbolic than literal. Only two active mines remain, yet Karaganda continues to be a large, lively, and resilient city.
Historical Background
The discovery of coal in Karaganda is traditionally linked to a popular legend. According to it, in 1833 a shepherd named Appak Baizhanov stumbled upon coal deposits, marking the beginning of the Karaganda coal basin’s history. In reality, this story is likely a romanticized myth. Coal was probably identified later by geologists during systematic exploration in the 19th century.
By the early 20th century, the Karaganda coal basin had attracted attention not only from the Russian Empire but also from foreign investors, including British companies. After the October Revolution, British participation ended, and the region’s industrial development passed under Soviet control.
No account of Karaganda’s past is complete without Karlag, one of the largest labor camps in the Gulag system. Prisoners were forced to build mines, factories, and infrastructure, shaping the city at a terrible human cost. This traumatic period left deep marks on Karaganda’s architecture, family histories, and collective memory.
Over time, Karaganda grew into one of the Soviet Union’s key coal centers. The city expanded rapidly, with broad avenues, monumental Stalinist architecture, theaters, and universities defining its urban landscape.
The collapse of the USSR became a major turning point. Mine closures, economic hardship, and population outflow hit the city hard. Yet it was also during this difficult transition that Karaganda began redefining itself, gradually moving away from total dependence on coal.
Today, Karaganda is a city with a layered identity. Its industrial legacy stands alongside universities, museums, and emerging cultural initiatives, creating a character shaped as much by reinvention as by history.
Understanding Karaganda’s Layout
Karaganda is a sprawling city. Its districts are separated by kilometers of open steppe and industrial zones.
The train and bus stations sit in the very center, which is convenient for visitors. Karaganda Airport, by contrast, is about 27 km (17 miles) from the city center.
The city center is concentrated around the intersection of Bukhar-Jyrau Avenue with Nurken Abdirov Avenue, Nazarbayev Avenue, and Abay Street. This is where most administrative buildings, cultural venues, and services are located.
Just beyond the center, on the opposite side of Central Park, lies Mikhailovka. It is a quieter, more compact district.
Yugo-Vostok (the South-East district) is located, as the name suggests, in the southeastern part of the city. It is the fastest-growing area, with many new residential complexes and relatively modern public spaces. Comfortable for living, it also includes several of Karaganda’s attractions.
Maikuduk is much farther from both the city center and Yugo-Vostok. Open stretches of steppe still separate these areas, though active development is gradually closing the gap, and the districts may eventually merge.
Prishakhtinsk is another outlying district, located apart from both the center and Maikuduk.
The most remote area is Sortirovka. Situated beyond Maikuduk and cut off by an industrial zone, it holds little interest for tourists and is rarely visited.
Population
As of 2025, Karaganda has a population of around 520,000, making it the fifth-largest city in Kazakhstan. It is traditionally regarded as one of the country’s most multicultural cities, shaped by waves of migration during the Soviet era.
Climate
Summers are hot and dry, with average temperatures around 25-30°C (77-86°F). Winters are long and severe, with temperatures dropping to –35°C (–31°F), often accompanied by strong winds and snowstorms. If you’re visiting in winter, proper winter clothing is essential. In summer, expect heat, strong sun, and sudden weather changes.
Transportation
You can pay for your bus ride using the ONAY card. The same system is used in Almaty, Ust-Kamenogorsk, Balkhash, and Taldykorgan, so a card issued in another city will work here as well. The fare is 100 tenge when paying by card and 200 tenge when paying in cash.
When paying in cash, money is handed directly to the driver. Make sure to take the receipt and keep it until the end of your trip.
Taxis are affordable and often the most practical option for getting between distant districts, especially in winter or when time is limited.