Kazakhstan is the country of the oldest civilization on the Eurasian continent, motherland of nomadic tribes, considerable part of Great Silk Way Road (1,400 km). Kazakhstan is a motherland of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi, great philosopher, founder of Sufism. There are about 27 thousand antiques in the republic.
Location: Kazakhstan is the 9th largest country in the world, covering 2,7mln.km. It is located in the very heart of the Eurasian continent; it borders with Russia, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and China. Total length of the border is 12,187 km.
Relief: Kazakhstan is famous with its variety of landscapes: from high snowy mountains to steppes, from dense forests to near deserts and deserts; lakes and rivers with pure water rushing waterfalls. The lowest point is Karagiye hollow (-132m), the highest point is the Khan Tengri peak (7,010m).
Political structure: President is the head of the Republic. Highest governmental body is two-chamber Parliament, Senate and Majilis.
Climate: Sharply continental.
Flora and Fauna: Thousands species, including turanga and elm tree (Karagach), several thousands of kinds of animals: brown bear, pink flamingo, snow leopard, saiga (antelope of steppes) etc.
Population: Kazakhstan is a multinational state. Overall population is about 15 million people: Kazakhs -45%, Russians – 35%, more than 100 other nationalities – 20%.
Language: Kazakh is the official language, which belongs to the group Turkic languages. Russian is the language of interethnic communication.
Religion: A great variety of religions, Islam and Christianity prevail.
Capital: City of Astana is the capital of the Republic since 1996 (area: 2724,9km2).
The biggest city: City of Almaty has been the capital of the Republic in the period of 1924-1996. It is a toursit, social, cultural, economical and educational center of the Republic with population of more than 1,5mln people.
National currency: Tenge.
Time: Time is 6 hours ahead of GMT (Almaty, Astana). Best period to travel: from May till October.
