Outline of Kazakhstan

The Coat of arms of Kazakhstan
An enlargeable map of the Republic of Kazakhstan

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.[1] Ranked as the ninth largest country in the world as well as the world's largest landlocked country,[2] 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.[3] It is now considered to be the dominant state in Central Asia.[4] 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 Organization. In 2010, Kazakhstan will chair the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. In 2011, it will form a customs union with Russia and Belarus.

Kazakhstan is ethnically and culturally diverse, in part due to 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 used for everyday communication.

General reference

An enlargeable relief map of Kazakhstan

Geography of Kazakhstan

 Russia 6,846 km
 Uzbekistan 2,203 km
 China 1,533 km
 Kyrgyzstan 1,224 km
 Turkmenistan 379 km
  • Coastline: none[5]

Environment of Kazakhstan

An enlargeable satellite image of Kazakhstan

Natural geographic features of Kazakhstan

Regions of Kazakhstan

Administrative divisions of Kazakhstan

Provinces of Kazakhstan
Province Status Full Kazakh name Timezone
Akmola province Ақмола облысы UTC+6
Aktobe province Ақтөбе облысы UTC+5
Almaty city(1) Алматы қаласы UTC+6
Almaty Province province Алматы облысы UTC+6
Astana city(1) Астана қаласы UTC+6
Atyrau province Атырау облысы UTC+5
Baikonur city(2) Байқоңыр қаласы UTC+6
East Kazakhstan province Шығыс Қазақстан облысы UTC+6
Karagandy province Қарағанды облысы UTC+6
Kostanay province Қостанай облысы UTC+6
Kyzylorda province Қызылорда облысы UTC+6
Mangystau province Маңғыстау облысы UTC+5
North Kazakhstan province Солтүстік Қазақстан облысы UTC+6
Pavlodar province Павлодар облысы UTC+6
South Kazakhstan province Оңтүстік Қазақстан облысы UTC+6
West Kazakhstan province Батыс Қазақстан облысы UTC+5
Zhambyl province Жамбыл облысы UTC+6
Provinces of Kazakhstan

Notes:

  • (1) Almaty and Astana 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
Province District(s)
Akmola Province
Aktobe Province
Almaty Province
Atyrau Province
East Kazakhstan Province
Karagandy Province
Kostanay Province
Kyzylorda Province
North Kazakhstan
Pavlodar Province
South Kazakhstan Province
West Kazakhstan Province
Zhambyl Province
Municipalities of Kazakhstan

Demography of Kazakhstan

Government and politics of Kazakhstan

Main article: Government of Kazakhstan and Politics of Kazakhstan

Branches of the government of Kazakhstan

Executive branch of the government of Kazakhstan

Legislative branch of the government of Kazakhstan

Judicial branch of the government of Kazakhstan

Foreign relations of Kazakhstan

International organization membership

The Republic of Kazakhstan is a member of:[1]

Law and order in Kazakhstan

Military of Kazakhstan

History of Kazakhstan

Main article: History of Kazakhstan, Timeline of the history of Kazakhstan, and Current events of Kazakhstan

Culture of Kazakhstan

Main article: Culture of Kazakhstan

Art in Kazakhstan

Sports in Kazakhstan

Economy and infrastructure of Kazakhstan

Main article: Economy of Kazakhstan

Education in Kazakhstan

Health in Kazakhstan

Main article: Health in Kazakhstan

See also

Kazakh language edition of Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Russian language edition of Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Main article: Kazakhstan

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Kazakhstan". The World Factbook. United States Central Intelligence Agency. July 2, 2009. Retrieved July 23, 2009.
  2. ↑ Agency of Statistics of the Republic of Kazakhstan (ASRK). 2005. Main Demographic Indicators. Available at http://www.stat.kz
  3. ↑ Zarakhovich, Yuri (September 27, 2006). "Kazakhstan Comes on Strong", Time Magazine.
  4. ↑ Medvedev Visit Underscores Kazakh Victory Over Uzbekistan For Regional Dominance Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty
  5. ↑ Kazakhstan borders the Caspian Sea and the Aral Sea, remnants of the ancient Paratethys Sea.

External links

Wikimedia Atlas of Kazakhstan