The internationaldialling code for Kazakhstanis +7.
Astana (since December 10, 1997).
: December 16, 1991.
Tenge – equal to 100 tyins. It was introduced onNovember 15, 1993.
15,4 million people (2007); density - 5,5 peopleper 1 sq km.
Central Asian region, deep in the Eurasiancontinent; south of Russia and northwest of China.
Kazakhstan occupies 2724 900 sq km (i.e. 1049 150 sq miles)thus being the 9th largest country of the world.
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.
: 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.
One of the official languages of Kazakhstan is Russian.
Administratively Kazakhstan is comprised of14 regions (oblasts), 84, 159 districts, 241 settlements, 2,042 rural (aul)counties.
The Republic of Kazakhstan is well known for rather unique natural andgeographic conditions.
Southern Kazakhstan ( Almaty, Jambyl, South-Kazakhstan andKyzylorda regions) is an area rich with ancient history and cultureknown for such famous monuments of medieval architecture as mausoleums of Aisha-Bibi,Karakhan, Babadzha-Khatun in Taraz, an architectural ensemble of Khodja AkhmetYasavi in Turkestan, etc. It is the region that has played host to theworld-famous space-vehicle launching site Baikonyr.
West Kazakhstan ( Aktobe, Atyrau, Mangystau regions) issituated on the crossroads of the European and Asian continents in the basin ofthe Caspian Sea, the Volga and the Urala. It is the location of the world seconddeepest depression – that of Kargije lying 132 m below sea level, remarkablechalky rocks.
North Kazakhstan ( Kostanay, North-Kazakhstan and Pavlodar regions). Health resorts of Kokshetau, Bayan-aul, Muyaldy offer finerehabilitation opportunities while natural preserves Kurgaldzhino and Naurzumwould be quite interesting for amateurs of “cognitive” tourism.
Central Kazakhstan ( Karagandy region) displays toperfect advantage one of the largest lakes of the world – the lake of Balkhashsupplemented by a unique mountainous and forest oasis. The area harbors plentyof memorable places exhibiting various archaeological and ethnographic relics.
East Kazakhstan is represented by the Altai and its woodedfoothills, the river of Irtysh and such lakes as Zaisan, Markakol, Alakol,Sauskan. Fairly rich are flora and fauna of the region.
Astana, Almaty (former capital), Karaganda,Shymkent, Pavlodar, Taraz, Ust-Kamenogorsk, Uralsk, Kostanay, Aktobe,Petropavlovsk, Semey, Aktau, Atyrau, Kokshetau.
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