Overview

Country Name: Kazakhstan

Country Flag:

Historical Background

Kazakhstan has a rich history rooted in nomadic traditions, the Silk Road trade, and later incorporation into the Russian Empire and the Soviet Union. After the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, Kazakhstan declared independence, becoming the largest landlocked country in the world. Since independence, it has pursued economic modernization and political stability under its first president, Nursultan Nazarbayev, who ruled until 2019.

Geography

Capital

Astana

Time Zones

UTC+5:00 – Western Kazakhstan

UTC+6:00 – Eastern Kazakhstan

Area

Position in the world: 9th largest

Total Area: 2,724,900 square kilometers (1,052,100 sq mi)

Arable Land: ~9%

Climate

Kazakhstan has a continental climate, with extreme temperature variations.

Winters: Very cold, especially in the north, with temperatures dropping below -30°C (-22°F).

Summers: Hot and dry, reaching up to 40°C (104°F) in the south.

Steppe and Desert Conditions: Large parts of the country are covered by dry steppe and semi-desert landscapes.

Administrative Divisions

Kazakhstan is divided into 17 regions (oblys) and 3 cities with special status (Astana, Almaty, and Shymkent). Some key regions include:

• Almaty Region
  
• Aktobe Region
  
• Karaganda Region
  
• Kostanay Region
  
• Mangystau Region
  
• Pavlodar Region
  
• East Kazakhstan Region
  

Minerals/Resources

• Kazakhstan is rich in natural resources, making it one of the most resource-abundant countries in the world. Key resources include:
• Oil & Natural Gas (large reserves in the Caspian region)
  
• Uranium (largest producer globally)
  
• Coal
  
• Copper
  
• Gold
  
• Iron Ore
  
• Zinc
  

Natural Disaster Susceptibility

Extreme Cold Waves: Harsh winters can cause transportation disruptions.

Droughts: Periodic droughts impact agriculture and water supply.

Earthquakes: Southeastern Kazakhstan, including Almaty, is seismically active.

Desertification: Due to overgrazing and climate change, parts of the steppe face desertification.

Border Countries

• Kazakhstan shares borders with:
• Russia (7,644 km) – the world’s second-longest international border
  
• China (1,782 km)
  
• Kyrgyzstan (1,212 km)
  
• Uzbekistan (2,330 km)
  
• Turkmenistan (413 km)
  

Maritime Claims

Kazakhstan borders the Caspian Sea, an enclosed inland body of water with disputes over resource rights among the five coastal states.

Political Landscape

Geopolitical Landscape

Kazakhstan plays a strategic role in Central Asia, balancing relations between global powers such as Russia, China, and the West.

Allies & Key Partners:

Russia – Strong economic, military, and political ties through the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and CSTO.

China – Major trade partner under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Turkey – Strong cultural and economic ties as part of the Turkic world.

European Union – A significant investor in Kazakhstan’s energy and mining sectors.

United States – Focuses on investment, regional security, and counterterrorism cooperation.

Government

Government Type: Presidential Republic

President: Kassym-Jomart Tokayev

Top 3 Political Parties & Ideology:

• Amanat (formerly Nur Otan) – Center-right, pro-government
  
• Ak Zhol Democratic Party – Center-right, business-oriented
  
• People’s Party of Kazakhstan – Center-left, social-democratic
  

Elections

• Presidential Term: 7 years (one term limit)
  
• Next Elections: Expected in 2029 (presidential), 2026 (parliamentary)
  

Foreign Policies

• Multi-vector diplomacy: Kazakhstan balances relations with Russia, China, the West, and neighboring Central Asian countries.
  
• Nuclear Non-Proliferation: As a former Soviet nuclear test site, Kazakhstan promotes disarmament and is a leader in global non-proliferation.
  

Regional Stability: Kazakhstan is involved in peace efforts, including in Afghanistan and the South Caucasus.

Economic Landscape

Position in world: 55th largest economy

GDP: $260 billion 

GDP per capita: $13,000 

Currency: Kazakhstani tenge (KZT)

Dominant Economic Sector: Oil and natural resources

Market Type: Mixed economy with state influence

FDI by Country

Inbound

• Netherlands
  
• United States
  
• Switzerland
  
• China
  
• Russia
  

Outbound

• Russia
  
• Uzbekistan
  
• Kyrgyzstan
  
• China
  
• Turkey
  

Some Major Trading Partners

Imports

• Russia – Machinery, energy, food products
  
• China – Electronics, textiles, manufactured goods
  
• Germany – Industrial equipment
  
• South Korea – Automobiles, tech
  

Exports

• China – Oil, uranium, copper
  
• Italy – Oil and gas
  
• Russia – Metals, chemicals
• Netherlands – Oil

Social Landscape

Population: ~19.8 million (2024 est.)

Class Distribution:

Upper Class: ~10%

Middle Class: ~60%

Lower Class: ~30%

Gini Coefficient: ~27 (relatively low inequality)

Languages

Official Language: Kazakh

Co-Official Language: Russian (widely spoken)

Other Languages: Uzbek, Uighur, Tatar, Ukrainian

Religion

Dominant Religion: Islam (Sunni, predominantly Hanafi school)

Other Religions: Christianity (Eastern Orthodox, Catholic, Protestant), Buddhism, Judaism