(Other dogs had gone into space before Laika, but only for sub-orbital launches.) The mission was another in a series of coups for the Soviet Union, which was then leading the way in space exploration while the United States lagged. Just a month earlier, they had launched Sputnik, the worldâs first satellite. When Laikaâs vessel, Sputnik 2, shot into orbit, the U.S. fell even further behind. News media alternated between mockery and pity for the dog sent into space. âThe Chicago American noted: âThe Russian sputpup isnât the first dog in the sky.
Almaty (Alma-ata) Ð°Ð»Ð¼Ð°ÑÑ is largest city in Kazakhstan with a population of 1,421,868 (at 1st of August 2010) with about 9% of the countries population located in one city, it is certainly a hustling and bustling place to be. It also used to be the former capital of the country, until 1997 when it moved to Astana. Almaty is still the centre of commerce for Kazakhstan, with the stock exchange and largest banks located there including Kazkommertsbank, which is the largest bank in Kazakhstan, and one of the largest players in Central Asia.
There is a city in Kazakhstan half of which lies in Asia, another in Europe, the parts of the city are connected with a bridge over the river Ural.