KAZAKHSTAN

Kazakhstan is the largest of the Central Asian republics, covering some 2.7 million square kilometres. It is bordered by Russia to the north, the Caspian Sea to the south-west, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan to the south, and China to the east.

Kazakhstan gained its independence from the former Soviet Union on 16 December 1991. The national day, called "Day of the Republic", is celebrated on 25 October.

Location

Kazakhstan is bounded in the west by the Caspian Sea and Russia, in the north by Russia, in the east by China and in the south by Uzbekistan and Kighizia.

Geography

Landlocked; Russia leases approximately 6,000 sq km of territory enclosing the Baykonur Cosmodrome; in January 2004, Kazakhstan and Russia extended the lease to 2050.

Capital

Akmola (formerly Tselunograd)

Population

15,233,244

Climate

Continental, cold winters and hot summers, arid and semiarid.

Language

Kazakh (Qazaq) official language,Russian

Monetary Unit

Tenge

Largest Cities

Alma-Ata, Karaguada, Chimkent, Semipalatinsk, Ust-Kamenogorsk,
Aktyubinsk, Temiratau and Petropavlovsk.

Principal rivers

Syrdarya

Places to Visit

Alma-Ata, Akmola, Karaguada, Semipalatinsk, Ust-Kamenogorsk

Air Ports

Alma-Ata and Akmola International Airports.