Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan
Conventional long name	Republic of Kazakhstan
Largest city	Almaty
Official languages	Kazakh (state), Russian (official)
Government type	Unitary dominant-party presidential republic
Leader title1	President
Leader name1	Kassym-Jomart Tokayev
Leader title2	Prime Minister
Leader name2	Oljas Bektenov
Legislature	Parliament
Upper house	Senate
Lower house	Mäjilis

Kazakhstan, officially the Republic of Kazakhstan, is a transcontinental country located primarily in Central Asia with a smaller portion west of the Ural River in Eastern Europe. It is the world's largest landlocked country and the ninth-largest country by land area, sharing borders with Russia, China, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and the Caspian Sea. The nation's political and economic center is Nur-Sultan, its capital since 1997, while its largest metropolis and major cultural hub is the former capital, Almaty.

Geography

Kazakhstan's vast territory encompasses a diverse range of landscapes, from the flat steppes and semi-deserts of the west to the high mountain ranges of the Tian Shan and Altai Mountains in the southeast. Major water bodies include the Caspian Sea to the west and the shrinking Aral Sea in the southwest, alongside significant rivers like the Irtysh, Ishim, and Ural. The country experiences an extreme continental climate, with notable geographic features such as the Betpak-Dala desert, the Kyzylkum Desert, and the Charyn Canyon.

History

The region has been inhabited since the Paleolithic era, with successive nomadic empires like the Scythians and the Xiongnu leaving their mark. It was a key part of the Silk Road and later the heartland of the Kazakh Khanate, established in the 15th century. In the 18th and 19th centuries, the Russian Empire gradually annexed the territory, a process completed under Tsar Alexander II. Following the Russian Revolution of 1917, it became the Kazakh Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic within the Soviet Union, enduring severe famines like the Asharshylyk and being the site of the Soviet space program's primary launch facility at Baikonur Cosmodrome. Kazakhstan declared independence on December 16, 1991, with Nursultan Nazarbayev serving as its first president until 2019.

Government and politics

Kazakhstan is a unitary dominant-party presidential republic, where executive power is concentrated in the President of Kazakhstan, currently Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. The Parliament of Kazakhstan is bicameral, consisting of the Senate and the Mäjilis. The ruling political party is Amanat, formerly known as Nur Otan. The country is a member of several international organizations, including the United Nations, the Collective Security Treaty Organization, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. Recent political events include the 2022 Kazakh unrest and constitutional reforms aimed at transitioning from a "super-presidential" system.

Economy

Kazakhstan possesses the largest economy in Central Asia, heavily driven by its extensive natural resources. It is a top global producer of uranium, chromium, and zinc, and has significant reserves of petroleum, natural gas, and coal, with major fields like the Tengiz Field and Kashagan Field. Key industries include metallurgy, chemicals, and grain agriculture. Major financial and trade institutions include the National Bank of Kazakhstan and the Astana International Financial Centre. The country is a member of the Eurasian Economic Union and has attracted substantial foreign investment from companies like Chevron Corporation and Eni.

Demographics

Kazakhstan has a population of over 19 million people, comprising a mix of ethnic groups. The largest group is the Kazakhs, followed by significant minorities of Russians, Uzbeks, Ukrainians, Uyghurs, and Tatars. The dominant religions are Islam, predominantly of the Hanafi school, and Russian Orthodox Christianity. Major urban centers include Almaty, Shymkent, Karaganda, and the capital Nur-Sultan.

Culture

Kazakh culture is rooted in the traditions of the nomadic Turkic peoples and the steppe empires. Traditional arts include cuisine centered on meat and dairy, handicrafts like felt carpets and silver jewelry, and the oral epic poetry of aqyns and zhyrаus. The Kazakh language uses the Cyrillic script, with a planned transition to the Latin alphabet. Notable cultural figures include poet and philosopher Abai Qunanbaiuly, composer Kurmangazy Sagyrbaev, and contemporary musicians like Dimash Kudaibergen. The country hosts international events such as the World Nomad Games and the EXPO 2017 exhibition.

Category:Kazakhstan Category:Countries in Asia Category:Countries in Europe