Karaganda or Qaraghandy (Kazakh:Қарағанды/Qarağandı [qɑɾɑˈʁɑndə]), more commonly known by its Russian name Karaganda (Russian:Караганда, until 1993), is the capital of Karaganda Region in Kazakhstan. It is the fourth most populous city in Kazakhstan, behind Almaty (Alma-Ata), Astana and Shymkent. Population: 459,778 (2009 Census results); 436,864 (1999 Census results).