KAZAKHSTAN
Kazakhstan – officially the Republic of Kazakhstan, is a transcontinental country in central and eastern Asia. Classified as the ninth largest country in the world, it is also the largest landlocked country in the world, its territory of 2727300 square kilometers is greater than in Western Europe. It borders clockwise from the north with Russia, China, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and also edges of a significant part of the Caspian Sea. Vast in size, the terrain of various Kazakhstan from the plains, steppes, taiga, rock-canyons, hills, deltas, and snow-capped mountains to the deserts. With over 16 million people Kazakhstan has the largest population of 62 in the world.
The country is a member of many international organizations, including the United Nations, the Euro-Atlantic Partnership of the Council, the Commonwealth of Independent States, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization
Kazakhstan has a population of 16.6 million, with 131 ethnicities, including Kazakh, Russian, Uighur, Ukrainian, Uzbek, Tatar, and German. About 63% are Kazakhs.
Islam is the religion of over 70% of the population, and Christianity makes up most of the rest. The Kazakh language is the language of the state, while Russian is also officially used as an “equal” language (to Kazakh) in public institutions of Kazakhstan.
administrative divisions
Kazakhstan is divided into 14 provinces. The provinces are divided into districts. Almaty and Astana cities have the status of importance of the state and do not refer to any province. Baikonur city has a special status as it is being leased to Russia with Baikonur cosmodrome until 2050 province. Each provinca is headed by an Akim (provincial governor) appointed by the president. Municipal munim are appointed by the akim province. The Government of Kazakhstan transferred its capital from Almaty to Astana on 10 December 1997.
Feasts
1 – 2 January – New Year’s Day
January 7 – Christmas of Orthodox Christians
The last day of Mecca Prison – Iyd al-Qurban
March 8 – Women’s Parties
March 21st – 23rd – Navruz
May 1 – United Day of the Populations of Kazakhstan
May 9 – Victory Day
6 July – Day of the Capital City
August 30th – Constitution Day
December 16 to 17 – Independence Day
SMALL INFORMATION
Capital – Astana (51 ° 10’N 71 ° 25’E)
Big city – Almaty
Official languages - Kazakh (1st official language); Russian (2nd official language)
Entical groups – 63.1% Kazakh; 23.7% Russian; 2.9% Uzbekistan; 2.1% Ukrainians; 1.4% uyguri; 1.3% tartars; 1.1% German; 4.5% others
Government – Presidential Republic
Independence – Declared on December 16th in 1991
Surface – 2,724,900 km2 (9th) (1,052,085 sq mi)
Aqcua (%) – 1.7
Population – 16,600,000
Currency – TENGE
TIME ZONE – +5/6 hours (from Europe)
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