Shymkent (Kazakh: Шымкент, translit. Shymkent, شىمكەنت, known until 1993 as Chimkent; Uzbek: Чимкент, چىمكېنت; Russian: Чимкент, translit. Čimkent), is a city in the Republic of Kazakhstan; one of the three cities which have the status equal to that of a region (the city of republican significance). It is the third most populous city in Kazakhstan behind Almaty and Astana with an estimated population of 1,002,291 as of 1st June 2018. According to the region and city officials, millionth resident of Shymkent was born on 17th May, 2018. Shymkent is a major railroad junction on the Turkestan-Siberia Railway, the city is also a notable cultural centre, with an international airport. Shymkent is situated 690 kilometres (430 mi) west of Almaty and 120 kilometres (75 mi) to the north of Tashkent, Uzbekistan.