Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan Do you want to be amazed by the beautiful region of glaciers, rivers and valleys perfect for trekking, then find Kazakhstan, situated south of Russia and west of China. It is not very known by tourist because historical, unfortunatly it has not many material evidence, and is therefore most known for its amazing nature, eventhough the country contains many steppes. There is though the capital city, Almaty where you can enjoy a nice laid back atmosphere.

Area: 2.725.647 Km²
Population: 16.731.000 (2001 est.)
Density: 6 pop/Km²

System of government: Presidential Republic
Capital: Astana (280.000 pop.)
Major cities: Alma-Ata 1.245.000 pop., Karaganda 552.000 pop., Ust-Kamenogorsk 230.000 pop., Semipalatinsk 220.000 pop., Dzambul 150.000 pop., Pavlodar 130.000 pop.
Ethnic majority: Kazakh 40%, Russian 37%, German 6%, Ukrainian 5%
Border countries: Russia NORTH and WEST, China EAST, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan SOUTH

Principal mountains: Gora Belukha 4506 m
Principal rivers: Irtys 4400 Km (total, with mongolian, chinese and russian tracts), Syrdarja 2671 Km (total, with uzbekistani, tajikistani and kyrgyzstani tracts), Ural 2534 Km (total, with russian tract), Isim 2100 Km (total, with russian tract), Emba 618 Km
Principal lakes: Caspian Sea 371.000 Km² (with russian, azerbaijani, iranian and turkmenistani parts), Aral Sea 41.000 Km² (with uzbekistani part), Lake Balhas 18.200 Km², Lake Zajsan 5000 Km², Alakol 2650 Km²
Principal islands: -
Climate: Continental

Language: Kazakh (official), Russian, German, Uighur, Ukrainian
Religion: Muslim 47%, Orthodox, Lutheran and others 53%
Currency: Tenge (KZT)

Fixed public holidays: 1/1, 8/3, 22/3, 1/5, 9/5, 30/8, 25/10, 16/12
Dialling code: 007
GMT: +6

World Heritage List:

• Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi (2003)
• Petroglyphs within the Archaeological Landscape of Tamgaly (2004)