Country Information on Kazakhstan

Terrain Kazakhstan consists of a vast flatland, bordered by a high mountain belt in the east and south-east. It extends nearly 3,200 km from the Lower Volga and the Caspian Sea in the west to the Altai Mountains in the east. It is largely lowland in the north and west (West Siberian, Caspian, and Turgai lowlands), hilly in the centre (Kazakh Hills), and mountainous in the south and east (Tian Shan and Altai ranges). Mt. Khan Tengri at 6995 m, on the Kazakhstan-Kyrgyzstan border, is the country's highest elevation. Kazakhstan is a region of inland drainage; the Syr Darya, the Ili, the Chu, and other rivers drain into the Aral Sea and Lake Balkash. Climate Kazakhstan has a continental climate with seasonal temperature extremes. Winters are long and cold with snow cover lasting from 50 to 150 days, depending on the region. Summers are very hot with desert temperatures topping 40°C during the day, but often dropping to less than half that at night. Snow starts to fall around November and the mountain passes fill with snow until April, sometimes even May. Much of the summer rain on the steppes comes from violent thunderstorms, which often cause local flash floods. Fauna/Flora Owing to the region's intensive agricultural development and its use as a testing ground for nuclear weapons by the Soviet government, environmental problems developed by the late 20th century. Chemical residues from agriculture have found their way into the rivers and into Kazakhstan's drinking water, while the Kazak steppe has become eroded and arid from over-cultivation. Antelope, brown bear, wild boar, lynx, and eagles may be spotted in Kazakhstan's mountains, though it can be slightly difficult to see the elusive snow leopard. History/Politics The indigenous Kazakhs were a nomadic Turkic people who belonged to several divisions of Kazakh hordes. They grouped together in settlements and lived in dome-shaped tents made of felt called "yurts". Their tribes migrated seasonally to find pastures for their herds of sheep, horses, and goats. Their tribes fell under Mongol rule in the 13th century Tartar Khanates dominated them until the area was conquered by Russia in the 18th century. In 1916 the Kazakhs rebelled against Russian domination and were in the process of establishing a Western-style state at the time of the 1917 Bolshevik Revolution. However, by 1920 the region was under the control of the Red Army. Organized as the Kirghiz Autonomous SSR in 1920, it was renamed the Kazakh Autonomous SSR in 1925 and became a constituent republic in 1936. During the Stalin era, collectivisation was instituted and millions of Kazakhs were forced to resettle in the region's south. During the 1950s and 1960s agricultural "Virgin Lands" program, Soviet citizens were encouraged to help cultivate Kazakhstan's northern pastures. This influx of immigrants (mostly Russians, but also some other nationalities) skewed the ethnic mixture and enabled non-Kazakhs to outnumber natives. Along with the other central Asian republics, Kazakhstan obtained its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991 when it proclaimed its membership in the Commonwealth of Independent States on 21 December 1991, along with 10 other former Soviet republics. Nursultan Nazarbayew, a reformist, mild nationalist and leader of Kazakh Communist Party (KCP), became the country's first president and soon began a gradual movement towards privatisation of the economy. In January 1999, Nazarbayew was sworn into office for another seven years. Kazymzhomart Tokayew was elected prime minister in October 1999. Economy Despite Kazakhstan's largely arid conditions, its vast steppes accommodate both livestock and grain production. Wheat, cotton, sugar beets, and tobacco are the main crops. The raising of cattle and sheep is also important, and Kazakhstan produces much wool and meat. However, only 23% of the population is employed in the agricultural sector, with 27% in manufacturing and 50% in services. The unemployment rate was 13.7% in 1998. The Kazakh Hills in the core of the region have important mineral resources. Coal is mined at Qaraghandy and Ekibastuz, and there are major oil fields in the Emba basin at the north-east tip of the Caspian Sea, and in the Mangyshlak Peninsula. Kazakhstan also has large deposits of e.g. natural gas, zinc, nickel, titanium, and gold. Culture A well-known name in Kazak cultural history is Abay Qunanbaev, a 19th century poet who launched Kazak as a literary language and translated Russian works into Kazak. Before Qunanbaev, Kazak literature chiefly consisted of long oral poems. Recitals by bards and contests between them known as "aitys" are still important and popular. Kazakhstan's most impressive textiles originate in the country's north-east, near the "four corners" region of Kazakhstan, Russia, China and Mongolia. The mix of influences is apparent in wall carpets and rugs unmatched in their striking colour combinations and the intricacy of their geometric designs.