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Kazakhstan Overview
- Officially the Republic of Kazakhstan, a landlocked country in Central Asia and part of Eastern Europe
- Bordered by Russia, China, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and the Caspian Sea
- Capital: Astana; largest city and cultural center: Almaty
Geography and Population
- Ninth-largest country and largest landlocked country
- Diverse terrain: plateaus, plains, lowlands, and mountains
- Population of 20.5 million with a low density; majority ethnic Kazakhs, significant Russian minority
- Predominantly Muslim, also has a Christian community
Historical Background
- Inhabited since the Paleolithic era; home to nomadic tribes like the Saka and Scythians
- Conquered by the Mongol Empire in the 13th century; Kazakh Khanate formed in the 15th century
- Russian rule established by the mid-19th century; independent in 1991
Economic and Political Status
- Dominates Central Asia economically, contributing 60% of regional GDP
- Rich in oil, gas, and minerals; highest Human Development Index in Central Asia
- Authoritarian government; gradual political reforms since 2019; member of various international organizations