Almaty is the most populous city in Kazakhstan, situated in the foothills of the Trans-Ili Alatau mountains in the southern part of the country near the Kyrgyzstan border. It lies at an elevation of 700–900 metres, with the Big Almaty and Small Almaty rivers running through its territory. Although it ceased to be the national capital when the seat moved to Akmola in 1997, it remains classified as a city of republican significance and serves as the country's financial and cultural hub.

The city originated from Fort Zailiyskoe, built by Russia in 1854 to establish control over the region, which was later renamed Fort Vernoe. It evolved into the town of Verny before being renamed Alma-Ata in 1921 during the Soviet era. It served as the capital of the Kazakh ASSR from 1929 and the Kazakh SSR until independence in 1991, when it was renamed Almaty. The city has hosted significant international events, including the Alma-Ata Primary Healthcare Conference in 1978.

Almaty features a low-rise grid pattern with broad boulevards and parks, lacking an organic old town due to its relatively recent development. Notable landmarks include the Ascension Cathedral, Green Bazaar, the pedestrian Arbat area, and Kök Töbe hilltop recreation area. The city is home to educational institutions such as Al-Farabi Kazakh National University and the Kazakh-British Technical University, alongside cultural sites like the Central State Museum of Kazakhstan.

Recognized as a UNESCO Creative City of Music since 2017, Almaty offers upmarket shops, bars, and cafes nestled among lush, tree-lined streets. The city's dramatic backdrop is provided by the snow-capped Trans-Ili Alatau mountains to the south. It attracts visitors with its cosmopolitan history, having hosted industries and people evacuated during World War II, and remains a center for arts and culture in Central Asia.

As of 2024, the population is recorded at 2,228,675, making it the largest city in Kazakhstan. It is the fourth-largest in the Commonwealth of Independent States and classified as a Gamma + level global city. The climate is continental, with winter temperatures around -2 to -5 °C and summer highs near 30 °C. April-May and September-October are considered the best times to visit due to milder weather conditions.