Kostanay (Kazakh:Қостанай / Qostanay) is a city located on the Tobol River in northern Kazakhstan. It was known as Nikolayevsk (Russian:Николаевск) until 1895 and then as Kustanay (Russian:Кустанай) until 1997. Kostanay is the administrative center of the Kostanay Region. Population: 214,916 (2009 Census results);222,816 (1999 Census results).