Independence Day: | December 16, 1991; |
Location: | South of Russia, Northwest of China, North of Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan and Northeast of Caspian Sea. |
Total area: | 1,687,443 sq miles (2,724,300 sq km); |
Boundaries: | Total 7,459 miles (12,012 km (without Caspian shoreline) The Republic of Kazakhstan shares its longest borders with Russia, 4,251 miles (6,846 km) and China, 951 miles (1,533 km). It also borders 1,183 miles (1,894 km) on the Caspian Sea. Total length of borders - 12187 km. |
Major Cities: | Astana (capital, moved from Almaty in 1998); Almaty, Karaganda, Shymkent, Atyrau, Aktobe, Oskemen, Pavlodar. |
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) | $108.3 billion (2009) |
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Growth | 1,2% (2009), 8,3% (January-May 2010) |
Population: | 16.4 million (135 nationalities representing 46 religions) Population density: 5,9 people per 1 sq. km |
President: | Mr. Nursultan Nazarbayev (re-elected to the second seven-year term on December 4, 2005) |
Prime Minister: | Mr. Karim Massimov (since January 2007) |
Chairman of the Senate of the Parliament (upper chamber): | Mr. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev (elected January 2007) |
Chairman of the Majilis of the Parliament (lower chamber): | Mr. Ural Mukhamedzhanov (elected September 2007) |
State Secretary (social, inter-ethnic, cultural affairs; civic development, gender policy): | Mr. Kanat Saudabayev (since May 2007) |
Minister of Foreign Affairs – Chairman-in-Office of the OSCE | Mr Kanat Saudabayev (since September 2009 and 01.01.2010) |
The Republic of Kazakhstan is a unitary country with a presidential form of government that values democracy, secularism, justice and sociability. The country attaches importance to human beings, their lives, rights and freedoms. Kazakhstan is a multinational country. The population of Kazakhstan is made up of different ethnic groups, each with their own culture, language and history.
The Head of State is the President. The bicameral Parliament, Senate and Majilis have supreme power.
Location
Kazakhstan is located on the juncture between two continents – Europe and Asia, between 45 and 87 degrees East longitude, and 40 and 55 degrees North latitude. The European-Eurasian continents’ geographic center lies in Kazakhstan (at the intersection of 78 degrees longitude and 50 degrees latitude). Kazakhstan is the 9th largest country in the world, after Russia, China, the USA, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, India, and Australia. The country is so large that its territory could fit countries such as France, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Portugal, Greece, Finland, and Norway. he northernmost point in Kazakhstan - 55'26'' NL - corresponds to the southern latitude of the central part of the East-European plain and to the southern part of the British Isles (the latitude of Moscow). As to the southernmost point - 40'56'' NL - it corresponds to latitudes of Transcaucasis and Mediterranean countries of Southern Europe (the latitude of Madrid, Istanbul and Baku).
Kazakhstan – an abundance of mountain ranges, glaciers, forests, deserts, large canyons, crystal-clear lakes, endless rivers, sunlight, and unique flora and fauna.
Kazakhstan – a country with the most ancient culture in the Eurasian continent, the birthplace of nomadic tribes, a significant portion of the Great Silk Road (1400 km).
Kazakhstan - the birth place of Khodja Ahmed Yssauwi, the great philosopher and founder of Sufism.
The country is home to 27 ancient monuments.
National Flag of the Republic of Kazakhstan
The National Flag of the Republic of Kazakhstan is a piece of right-angled cloth of a sky-blue color with a picture of a golden sun with 32 rays in the center, sitting above a soaring steppe eagle. The flagstaff has a vertical line of national ornamentation. The picture of the sun, its rays, eagle and ornament are gold in color. The width/length ratio of the flag is 1:2.
National Emblem of the Republic of Kazakhstan
The National Emblem of the Republic of Kazakhstan is an image of shanyrak, the upper dome-like portion of a yurt, against a sky blue background which irradiates (in the form of sun rays) uyks (supports) set off by wings of mythical horses. The circle shape of the Emblem is a symbol of life and eternity. The shanyrak symbolizes the well-being of family, peace and calm.
The Emblem incorporates the image of Tulpar — a mythical horse with wings. Wings symbolize the yearning to construct a strong, prospering state. They testify pure thoughts and the aspiration for perfection and the achievement of harmony in a society, with nature and world civilization. The color scheme of the Emblem consists of two colors – gold and blue. The Former represent a bright, clear future, while the latter represents the sky, which is blue for every nation on Earth. The color of the sky in the Emblem signifies Kazakhstan’s commitment to peace, acceptance, amicability, and unity with every nation on Earth.
Astana
Astana, formerly known as Akmolinsk (until 1961), Tselinograd (until 1992), and Akmola (until 1998), is the capital and second largest city (after Almaty) of Kazakhstan, with an officially estimated population of 691,529 as of 1 March 2010. The city is located in the north-central portion of Kazakhstan, within Akmola Province, although it is administrated separately from the province as a federal city area.
Language: state language – Kazakh; the language of multinational communication – Russian
National currency: 1 Kazakh Tenge (KZT) = 100 tiyn, 1 euro = 182 tenge
Internet domain: KZ
Kazakhstan Chairmanship of the OSCE
In January 2010, Kazakhstan became the first former Soviet Union republic to assume the Chairmanship of the Vienna-based Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) – the world’s largest regional security organization – whose 56 Participating States span the area from Vancouver to Vladivostok.
The President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev declared in January 2010 that the Kazakh Chairmanship’s motto would consists of four “Ts”: the first T is our “trust” in one another; the second is “tradition” and refers to our commitment to the fundamental principles and values of the OSCE; third comes “transparency”, which stands for maximum openness in international relations, free of “double standards” and “dividing lines”; and lastly, there is “tolerance”, reflecting the global trend towards a strengthening of dialogue between cultures and civilizations, which is gaining ever greater importance in the modern world.
Climate
Kazakhstan’s distance from oceans and its vast territory affect the country’s climate. The environments in Kazakhstan are astonishing due to their contrasting natures. The Siberian climate in the north is harsh, while at the same time of the year, in the south, there are plenty of dried apricots and green grass.
The average temperature in January ranges from -30о С in the North and East to -35о С in the South of Kazakhstan. The average temperature in July rises to +19оС in the North and +35-40оС in the South.
The territory of Kazakhstan has 4 climate zones: forest-steppe, steppe, half desert, and desert. The northern part of Kazakhstan, which experiences more rainfall, is in the forest-steppe zone. The shortest season is Spring – 1,5 months; summer lasts 3 months; and winter from October to April.
The steppe zone is in the Northern part of the country. This zone is differentiated by its windiness. Compared to the forest-steppe zone, winter lasts shorter while summer is longer. Spring is short, and fall, starting in September, lasts less than 2 months
Half-desert – is a zone with dry steppes in the central part of Kazakhstan. Winter is especially harsh and weather is generally unpredictable. In the summer it is relatively hot.
The Desert zone is mostly in Kazakhstan’s flattest areas. The weather is warm in the summer; cold in winter, and the air is dry.
Tourism
Kazakhstan provides for virtually every category of tourism, including: educational, cultural, sports, equestrian, eco-tourism.
Kazakhstan has become increasingly popular among tourists from all around the world. Local travel companies have been quick to respond to this phenomenon by increasing the range of services they offer, attracting even more travelers. Many of these tourists come from Germany, the UK, Japan, South Korea and China. More details on www.kazakhstan.orexca.com
Terrain
More than 3/4 of Kazakhstan’s territory is made up of flatlands, 100 to 300 m above sea level. The Tian-Shan, Dzungarian Alatau and Altay mountain ranges are in the South East with heights ranging from 3000 to 6995 meters (the Han-Tengri peak). The Caspian Depression, which is half below sea level (the level of the Caspian Sea is -27m) is located in the far West. The remains of the Kazakh Uplands are located in the West.
Water Resources
There are about 8.5 thousand rivers in Kazakhstan. Around 80% of the country’s territory is endorheic. The Irtysh, Ishim, and Tobol rivers, which flow in the North and North-East of the country come from the Arctic Ocean All other major rivers are inland water bodies: the Ural flows into the Caspian Sea, the Syr Darya into the Aral Sea, and the Ili into Lake Balkhash. A large number of smaller rivers dry out in the summer months.
The Caspian Sea is within the territory of the country with its North-Eastern aquatorium, which is relatively fresh water and not too deep (5-7 m). The Aral Sea is divided by Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. This body of water is in the process of drying up, and its area had been halved during 1960-1995. Lake Balkhash is wholly located on the territory of Kazakhstan. There are more than 48000 large lakes in Kazakhstan; the largest bodies of water are the Aral Sea, Lake Balkhash, Zaisan, Alakol, Tengiz, and Seletengiz.
Flora and Fauna
26% of Kazakhstan’s territory is steppe. 167 million hectares is desert (44%) and half-desert (12%). Forests make up only 3.5% (21 million hectares) of Kazakhstan’s territory. These are mostly coniferous forests, but in the mountains there are also birch-trees, European aspens, apple trees and juniper stands. More than 250 kinds of medicinal herbs grow in Kazakhstan, and in the south there’s a flower which grows only in Kazakhstan – the Artemisia cina.
The fauna of Kazakhstan is unique. There are more that 155 kinds of mammals, 480 types of birds, and 150 kinds of fish. Insects and reptiles live mostly in deserts and half-deserts. Persian gazelles, saigas, wolves, rabbits, foxes, jackals, and various rodents live in the steppes. Many Kazakh lakes serve as year-round or seasonal habitats for geese, swans, ducks, seagulls, and flamingo. Bears, mountain goats, sheep, snow leopards, deer, and lots of different birds live in mountainous areas. In order to protect nature, reserves have been created in all zones, from deserts to mountains.
Culture. Kazakhs are hospitable people. If you unexpectedly visit a Kazakh’s house, he will be just as happy to welcome you, had you been invited. Respect for guests and elders, peace and patience, which are taught early in childhood, are a cultural trademark of Kazakhs. This is why there has never been an instance of religious or national strife.
National Holidays:
1 January – New Year’s Day
8 March – International Women’s Day
22 March – Nauryz
1 May – Kazakh National Unity Day
9 May – Victory Day
6 July – Day of the Capital
30 August – Constitution Day
16 December – Independence Day
Nauryz (Kazakh New Year)
In Kazakhstan, Nauryz is a celebration of the renewal of spring. Central Asian cultures celebrated Nauryz long before their conversion to Islam, so this holiday does not have religious connotations. According to the Eastern Calendar, Nauryz marks the beginning of the New Year, and coincides with the day of the vernal equinox. Kazakhs sometimes call Nauryz by its other names - Ulys Kuny ("the first day of the New Year") or Ulystyn Uly Kuny ("The Great Day of the People").
Traditional Kazakh cuisine reflects the soul of the Kazakh people, their history, customs, and traditions. Since olden times, a Kazakh people had always distinguished themselves by their hospitality. A respected guest will be cordially welcomed, seated at the head of the table, and treated to the best of what the household had.
Kazakhstan possesses various natural resources. Out of the 105 elements of the Periodic Table, Kazakhstan has 99. Kazakhstan has the leading position in the world when it comes to many natural resources: oil, lead, silver, copper, zinc, nickel, natural gas, gold, and tin.
Kazakhstan possesses large deposits of oil and gas, which are concentrated in the western part of the country. Kazakhstan is one of the world’s leading oil-producing countries. The opening of a new oil field in the Yuzhno-Turgaisk depression increases the prospects for developing oil exploration in the country.
Transportation
Airports: 99 (2009)
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 67
over 3,047 m: 10
2,438 to 3,047 m: 26
1,524 to 2,437 m: 17
914 to 1,523 m: 5
under 914 m: 9 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 32
over 3,047 m: 5
2,438 to 3,047 m: 6
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 5
under 914 m: 13 (2009)
Pipelines:
condensate 658 km; gas 11,146 km; oil 10,376 km; refined products 1,095 km (2009)
Railways:
total: 15,082 km
broad gauge: 15,082 km 1.520-m gauge (3,700 km electrified) (2008)
Roadways:
total: 93,612 km (2008)
Waterways:
4,000 km; on the Ertis (Irtysh) River (80%) and Syr Darya (Syrdariya) River (2008)
country comparison to the world: 26
Merchant marine:
total: 5
by type: petroleum tanker 4, refrigerated cargo 1 (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Aqtau, Atyrau, Oskemen, Pavlodar, Semey.
Infrastructure
Kazakhstan’s location in the center of the Eurasian continent means that it has notable transportation and communication potential as a transit point.
The country has railroads, air transport, sea transport, river transport, pipelines, automobile roads and telecommunication systems.
Railroad Transport
Railroads are the foundation of Kazakhstan’s transportation infrastructure, as 79% of all cargo and 56% of all travelers are transported by train.
Automobile Roads
Automobile roads play an important role when it comes to shipping cargo. The length of roads is 87.4 thousand km; there are more than 3000 bridges and overpasses. Currently, a 4 billion euro project is underway to construct a 2800 km long road – “Western Europe – Western China”.
Air transport
There are 54 airports in Kazakhstan. Almost all regions are covered by air transportation. Almaty, Astana, Atyrau have their own international airports. The name of the national air carrier is Air Astana. Also, 23 foreign airlines operate in Kazakhstan, among them: British Airways, KLM, Lufthansa & Austrian Airlines, Ethiad, Turkish Airlines, Transaero, Iran Air. Regular flights occur between Kazakhstan and Turkey, China, India, Germany, Austria, and other countries.
