The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to Kazakhstan:
The Republic of Kazakhstan is a landlocked sovereign country located across both Central Asia and Eastern Europe. Ranked as the ninth largest country in the world as well as the world's largest landlocked country,Agency of Statistics of the Republic of Kazakhstan (ASRK). 2005. Main Demographic Indicators. Available at http://www.stat.kz it has a territory of 2,727,300 km2 (greater than Western Europe). It is bordered by Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and China. The country also borders on a significant part of the Caspian Sea.
Vast in size, the land in Kazakhstan is very diverse in types of terrain: flatlands, steppes, taigas, rock-canyons, hills, deltas, mountains, snow-capped mountains, and deserts. Kazakhstan has the 62nd largest population in the world, with a population density of less than 6 people per square kilometre (15 per sq. mi.).
Kazakhstan declared itself an independent country on December 16, 1991, the last Soviet republic to do so. Its communist-era leader, Nursultan Nazarbayev, became the country's new president. Since independence, Kazakhstan has pursued a balanced foreign policy and worked to develop its economy, especially its hydrocarbon industry. While the country's economic outlook is improving, President Nazarbayev maintains strict control over the country's politics. Several opposition leaders and journalists have been killed in recent years, and Western observers generally do not consider Kazakhstan's elections to be free and fair. Nevertheless, Kazakhstan's international prestige is building.Zarakhovich, Yuri (September 27, 2006). "Kazakhstan Comes on Strong", Time Magazine. It is now considered to be the dominant state in Central Asia.Medvedev Visit Underscores Kazakh Victory Over Uzbekistan For Regional Dominance Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty The country belongs to many international organizations, including the United Nations, NATO's Partnership for Peace, the Commonwealth of Independent States, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. In 2010, Kazakhstan will chair the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. In 2011, it formed a customs union with Russia and Belarus.
Kazakhstan is ethnically and culturally diverse, in part due to the mass deportations of many ethnic groups to the country during Stalin's rule. Kazakhs are the largest group, followed by Russians. Kazakhstan allows freedom of religion, and many different beliefs are represented in the country. Islam is the primary religion, followed by Orthodox Christianity. The official language is Kazakh, though Russian is still commonly and most widely used for everyday communication.
General reference
Pronunciation: Common English country name: Kazakhstan Official English country name: The Republic of Kazakhstan Adjectives: Kazakhstani, Kazakh Demonym(s): Etymology: Name of Kazakhstan International rankings of Kazakhstan ISO country codes: KZ, KAZ, 398 ISO region codes: See ISO 3166-2:KZ Internet country code top-level domain: .kz
Geography of Kazakhstan
Geography of Kazakhstan Kazakhstan is: a landlocked country Location: Kazakhstan is a region or subregion of: Northern Hemisphere and Eastern Hemisphere Eurasia Asia Central Asia Europe Eastern Europe (a small portion only; 381,567 km2) Time zone: Kazakhstan Time UTC+5 Extreme points of Kazakhstan High: Khan Tengri Low: Caspian Depression Land boundaries: 12,185 km 6,846 km 2,203 km 1,533 km 1,224 km 379 km Coastline: noneKazakhstan borders the Caspian Sea and the Aral Sea, remnants of the ancient Paratethys Sea. Population of Kazakhstan: 20,286,084 – 61st most populous country
Area of Kazakhstan: 2,724,900 km2 Atlas of Kazakhstan
Environment of Kazakhstan
Environment of Kazakhstan Climate of Kazakhstan Environmental issues in Kazakhstan Renewable energy in Kazakhstan Protected areas of Kazakhstan National parks of Kazakhstan Wildlife of Kazakhstan Fauna of Kazakhstan Birds of Kazakhstan Mammals of Kazakhstan
Natural geographic features of Kazakhstan
Islands of Kazakhstan Lakes of Kazakhstan Rivers of Kazakhstan List of World Heritage Sites in Kazakhstan
Regions of Kazakhstan
Administrative divisions of Kazakhstan
Administrative divisions of Kazakhstan Regions of Kazakhstan Districts of Kazakhstan
Regions of Kazakhstan
Regions of Kazakhstan Region Status Full Kazakh name Time zone Akmola region Ақмола облысы UTC+5 Aktobe region Ақтөбе облысы UTC+5 Almaty city(1) Алматы қаласы UTC+5 Almaty (region) region Алматы облысы UTC+5 Astana city(1) Астана қаласы UTC+5 Atyrau region Атырау облысы UTC+5 Baikonur city(2) Байқоңыр қаласы UTC+5 East Kazakhstan region Шығыс Қазақстан облысы UTC+5 Karaganda region Қарағанды облысы UTC+5 Kostanay region Қостанай облысы UTC+5 Kyzylorda region Қызылорда облысы UTC+5 Mangystau region Маңғыстау облысы UTC+5 North Kazakhstan region Солтүстік Қазақстан облысы UTC+5 Pavlodar region Павлодар облысы UTC+5 Shymkent city Шымкент қаласы UTC+5 South Kazakhstan region Оңтүстік Қазақстан облысы UTC+5 West Kazakhstan region Батыс Қазақстан облысы UTC+5 Zhambyl region Жамбыл облысы UTC+5
Notes: (1) Almaty, Astana and Shymkent cities have the status of State importance and do not relate to any province. (2) Baikonur city has a special status because it is currently being leased to Russia with Baikonur cosmodrome through the year 2050.
Districts of Kazakhstan
Districts of Kazakhstan
Province District(s) Akmola Province Akkol District Arshaly District Astrakhan District Atbasar District Birzhan sal District Bulandy District Egindikol District Ereymentau District Esil District, Akmola Province Korgalzhyn District Sandyktau District Shortandy District Shuchinsk District Zerendi District Zhaksy District Zharkain District Aktobe Province Alga District Ayteke Bi District Bayganin District Kargaly District Kobda District Khromtau District Martuk District Mugalzhar District Oiyl District Shalkar District Temir District Yrgyz District Almaty Province Aksu District, Almaty Province Alakol District Balkhash District Enbekshikazakh District Eskeldi District Ile District, Kazakhstan Karasay District Karatal District Kerbulak District Koksu District Panfilov District, Kazakhstan Raiymbek District Sarkant District Talgar District Uygur District Zhambyl District, Almaty Province Atyrau Province Inder District Isatay District Kurmangazy District Kyzylkoga District Makat District Makhambet District Zhylyoi District East Kazakhstan Province Abay District, East Kazakhstan Ayagoz District Beskaragay District Borodulikha District Glubokoe District Katonkaragay District Kokpekti District Kurshim District Shemonaikha District Tarbagatay District Ulan District Urzhar District Zaysan District Zharma District Zyryanovsk District Karagandy Province Abay District, Karagandy Province Aktogay District, Karagandy Province Bukhar-Zhyrau District Karkaraly District Nura District Osakarov District Shet District Ulytau District Zhanaarka District Kostanay Province Altynsarin District Amangeldi District Auliekol District Denisov District Fyodorov District Kamysty District Karabalyk District Karasu District Kostanay District Mendykara District Nauyrzym District Sarykol District Taran District Uzunkol District Zhangeldi District Zhetikara District Kyzylorda Province Aral District Karmakshy District Kazaly District Shieli District Syrdariya District Zhalagash District Zhanakorgan District North Kazakhstan Aiyrtau District Akkayin District Akzhar District Esil District, North Kazakhstan province Gabit Musirepov District (Tselinniy) Kyzylzhar District Magzhan Zhumabayev District (Bulaev) Mamlyut District Shal akyn District (Sergeev) Taiynsha District Timiryazev District Ualikhanov District Zhambyl District, North Kazakhstan Province Pavlodar Province Akkuly District Aktogay District, Pavlodar Province Bayanaul District Ertis District Kashyr District May District Pavlodar District Sharbakty District Uspen District Zhelezin District South Kazakhstan Province Baydibek District Kazygurt District Maktaaral District Ordabasy District Otyrar District Saryagash District Sayram District Shardara District Sozak District Tole Bi District Tulkibas District West Kazakhstan Province Akzhaik District Bokey Orda District Borili District Karatobe District Kaztal District Shyngyrlau District Syrym District Taskala District Terekti District Zelenov District Zhanakala District Zhanybek District Zhambyl Province Bayzak District Korday District Merke District Moiynkum District Sarysu District Shu District Talas District Turar Ryskulov District Zhambyl District, Zhambyl Province Zhualy District
Municipalities of Kazakhstan
Municipalities of Kazakhstan Capital of Kazakhstan: Capital of Kazakhstan Cities of Kazakhstan
Demography of Kazakhstan
Demographics of Kazakhstan
Government and politics of Kazakhstan
Politics of Kazakhstan Form of government: semi-presidential republic Capital of Kazakhstan: Capital of Kazakhstan Elections in Kazakhstan Political parties in Kazakhstan Taxation in Kazakhstan
Branches of the government of Kazakhstan
Government of Kazakhstan
Executive branch of the government of Kazakhstan Head of state: Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of Kazakhstan Head of government: Oljas Bektenov, Prime Minister of Kazakhstan
Legislative branch of the government of Kazakhstan
Parliament of Kazakhstan (bicameral) Upper house: Senate of Kazakhstan Lower house: Mazhilis
Judicial branch of the government of Kazakhstan
Court system of Kazakhstan Supreme Court of Kazakhstan
Foreign relations of Kazakhstan
Foreign relations of Kazakhstan Diplomatic missions in Kazakhstan Diplomatic missions of Kazakhstan
International organization membership The Republic of Kazakhstan is a member of:
Asian Development Bank (ADB) Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) Eurasian Economic Community (EAEC) Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council (EAPC) European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) General Confederation of Trade Unions (GCTU) International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) International Development Association (IDA) International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRCS) International Finance Corporation (IFC) International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) International Labour Organization (ILO) International Maritime Organization (IMO) International Monetary Fund (IMF) International Olympic Committee (IOC) International Organization for Migration (IOM) International Organization for Standardization (ISO) International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (ICRM) International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
International Telecommunications Satellite Organization (ITSO) Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Islamic Development Bank (IDB) Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) Nonaligned Movement (NAM) (observer) Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) Organization of American States (OAS) (observer) Partnership for Peace (PFP) Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) United Nations (UN) United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) Universal Postal Union (UPU) World Confederation of Labour (WCL)