Country Profile Kazakhstan

Map

^{Source: CIA World Factbook}

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Summary Data

SUMMARY DATA
Total Area (km2)	2,717,300
Land (km2)	2,669,800
Water (km2)	47,500
Population	15,340,533
Population Density (/km2)	6
Capital	Astana
Religion (%)	Muslim 47% Russian Orthodox 44% Protestant 2% Other 7%
Time	GMT +5 to +6
Climate	Continental: cold winters, hot summers.

^{Source: CIA World Factbook}

GEOGRAPHY

Kazakhstan is located in Central Asia, northwest of China. Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan border the south of the country and Russia sits on the northern border.

GOVERNMENT

The government in Kazakhstan is republic; authoritarian presidential rule, with little power outside the executive branch. Since the fall of communism Kazakhstan has seen dramatic changes in privatisation and liberalisation. The government is keen to structure a plan for increasing profits made from tourism – infrastructure is being dramatically improved and foreign property sales are now protected by the government whilst a more straightforward purchase process is in place.

LANGUAGE

Kazakh is the main language spoken in Kazakhstan along with Russian. The Kazakh language originated using the Arabic Script and was the result of a revolt against the Russian language.

ELECTRICITY

22 OV 50Hz

PASSPORTS/VISA

A passport and visa are required for most people travelling to Kazakhstan, however a return ticket is not necessary. Visas can be issued to nationals of 35 countries without requiring formal permission from Kazakhstani authorities. A standard tourist visa costs £20 and lasts for up to three months. A business visa will cost more but is valid for a longer period of time. Tourist visas cannot be extended in Kazakhstan. All other varieties of visa may be extended, including special investor visas.

Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the UK
33 Thurloe Square, London SW7 2SD, UK
Tel. +44 (0)207 5814646
Fax +44 (0)207 5848481

Website: http://www.kazembassy.org.uk/index.html

AIRPORTS AND AIRLINES

Almaty International Airport (ALA)

• Location: 18km from the centre of Almaty
• Time: GMT +6
• Contacts: +7 (727) 270-3333 
• Transfer between terminals: There is only one terminal
• Facilities: VIP lounge, hotel next to the terminal
• Parking: Parking available for 320 cars
• Website: http://en.alaport.com/main.htm

A new terminal is planned for the near future that will greatly increase passenger capacity and provide facilities for conferences, shopping cinemas and other leisure activities.

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Standard of Living

The standard of living in Kazakhstan is constantly improving. The government plans to improve infrastructure and lower credit rating allowing the poorer people of Kazakhstan to afford homes.

PRINCIPAL COMMERCIAL CENTRES AND TOWNS

Although a very large country, Kazakhstan's population is spread unevenly throughout the country with dense settlements of inhabitants based in or around cities leaving sparse mountainous landscapes empty and unused.

POPULATION BY CITY/TOWN 2007
Almaty	1,226,000
Astana	600,200
Karaganda	446,200
Pavlodar	300,200
Shymkent	539,600

^{Source: CIA World Factbook}