Kazakhstan at a Glance

Capital: Astana (since December 10, 1997).

Independence Day: December 16, 1991.

Monetary unit: Tenge – equal to 100 tyins. It was introduced on November 15, 1993.

Population: 15,4 million people (2007); density - 5,5 people per 1 sq km.

Location: Central Asian region, deep in the Eurasian continent; south of Russia and northwest of China.

Territory: Kazakhstan occupies 2724 900 sq km (i.e. 1049 150 sq miles) thus being the 9th largest country of the world.

Borders: Total length is 13 095 km with a sea border of 2964 km. The borderline between Kazakhstan and Russia - 7.512 km - is the longest land border in the world. Kazakhstan also borders China to the east for 1782,75 km, to the south - Turkmenistan for 426 km, Uzbekistan for 2134,2 km. and Kyrgyzstan for 1241,58 km. Kazakhstan has long coastline - it borders the Aral Sea, now split into two bodies of water, for 1,070 km, and the Caspian Sea for 1,894 km.
Climate: The climate of the country is sharply continental. Average temperature in January varies within - 19° - - 4° C while average July temperature fluctuates within + 19° - + 26° C. The lowest temperature in winter may go down to - 45° C with the highest one in summer + 30° C.

Natural resources: The world's largest reserves of barite, lead, tungsten, and uranium; second largest reserves of chromite, silver, and zinc; third largest of manganese; significant deposits of copper, gold, and iron ore; oil and gas reserves of world class. Current oil reserves estimates 32,5 billion barrels (twice as much as the North Sea). 100-110 billion barrels - projected oil reserves by 2015 (would be in top 5 of the world). Current gas reserves – 2 trillion cubic metres; 5 trillion cubic metres - projected gas reserves by 2015.

Ethnic diversity: Kazakh 58,9%, Russian 25,9%, Ukrainian 2,9%, Uzbek 2,8%, German 1,5%, Tatar 1,5 %, Uighur 1,5%, and other groups – 4,3. There are more than 100 ethnic groups.

Religions: Kazakhstan is a secular state, but Sunni Islam is the major religion (47% of believers). The Russian Orthodox Church is the dominant Christian church (44%). There are also Protestant (2%), Roman Catholic (1%) and more than 40 other religious confessions.

Languages: Kazakh is the state language of the Republic. Russian language enjoys the status of the official under the Constitution. Kazakhstan has officially announced its aspiration to become a trilingual nation to help meeting its ambitious goals. These will be Kazakh as the state language, Russian as the language of interethnic communication, and English as the language of successful integration into the global economy and community.

Administrative division: Administratively Kazakhstan is comprised of 14 regions (oblasts), 84, 159 districts, 241 settlements, 2,042 rural (aul) counties.

Major Cities: Astana, Almaty (former capial), Karaganda, Shymkent, Pavlodar, Taraz, Ust-Kamenogorsk, Uralsk, Kostanay, Aktobe, Petropavlovsk, Semey, Aktau, Atyrau, Kokshetau.

Time: Kazakhstan has three time zones:
          Eastern/Main Zone: GMT + 6
          Central Zone: GMT + 5
          Western Zone: GMT + 4

National Holiday:
16 December – Independence Day
Other Holidays:
1-2 January – New Year
8 March - International Women's Day
22 March - Nauryz Meiramy (the holiday of Nauryz)
1 May - Unity Day of the People of Kazakhstan
9 May - Victory Day
6 July - Day of Astana
30 August – Day of the Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan
25 October – Republic Day


Kazakhstan
News
Holding of OSCE Summit in Kazakhstan to give new impetus to Organization's work - Yerik Utembayev Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Kazakhstan to Belgium and Luxemburg, Head of Kazakh Mission to the EU and NATO Yerik Utembayev told about the results of Kazakhstan's presidency in the OSCE, expectations for the OSCE Summit in Kazakhstan and prospects of our country in the Organization at a roundtable on 'Kazakhstan's presidency in the OSCE: results and new prospects' held in Brussels. more info
Kazakhstan's economic growth in the first half of the year made over 8 per cent 'The results of the last year showed that Kazakhstan prevented the recession and preserved the economic growth. In the first half-year the growth of GDP made more than 8%', the President emphasized. more info
Kazakhstan suggests establishing new environmental declaration ‘Green Bridge’ between Europe and Asia more info
Kazakhstan
Key Speaches
Kazakhstan and NATO: state and prospects of cooperation The relations of Kazakhstan and NATO cover a wide spectrum of interaction including the civil emergency planning, anti-crisis regulation, ... more info
Congress of leaders of world and traditional religions Key speeches more info
ASIAN SECURITY: A WAY FORWARD more info
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