Karaganda is an industrial city in the heart of Kazakhstan, built on the fortunes of the coal and iron ore mines that surround it. The city is home to a large Russian minority, and the architecture and feel of the city reflect this, with wide, tree-lined streets and grandiose Soviet-era buildings. The city centre is a pleasant place to wander, with a lively market and a number of parks. Away from the centre, the suburbs are a mix of Soviet-era blocks and newly built luxury apartments, and the city is home to a number of interesting museums, including a museum of Russian art and a museum of the history of the Kazakh people. The city is also a convenient base for exploring the surrounding steppe and mountains.
Average temperatures during the day in Karaganda.