Kazakhstan: The Land of Wild Horses and Ancient Cities

Wish Kazakhstan a Happy New Year

Kazakhstan, officially the Republic of Kazakhstan, is a contiguous transcontinental country in Central Asia, with its smaller part west of the Ural River in Europe. Kazakhstan is the world's largest landlocked country by land area and the ninth largest country in the world; its territory of 2,724,900 square kilometers is larger than Western Europe. It has borders with (clockwise from the north) Russia, China, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan, and also adjoins a large part of the Caspian Sea. The terrain of Kazakhstan includes flat lands, steppe, taiga, rock canyons, hills, deltas, snow-capped mountains, and deserts. With an estimated 17 million people as of 2013. Kazakhstan is the 61st most populous country in the world, though its population density is among the lowest, at less than 6 people per square kilometer (15 people per sq. mi.). The capital is Astana, where it was moved from Almaty in 1997. The Currency is Tenge (₸) (KZT).

Some interesting facts are:
1. The New Year for Kazakhs is called Nauryz, and it is celebrated on the 22nd of March.

2. It was in the year 1991 that Kazakhstan became an independent nation. Before that, the country used to be a part of the Soviet Union.

3. Though this country is land locked, it still has its own naval fleet which is based on the Caspian Sea.

4. Kazakhstan is home to the Baikonur Cosmodome, the world’s first and largest space launch facility. It is leased by the Russians until 2050.

5. The women of Kazakhstan are often dress very stylishly and in high heels.

6. Often times pipes for water and gas are above ground! This makes it easier to repair them if needed.

7. Apples are reputedly to originate from Kazakhstan and there are still wild apple forests in the country.

8. It is believed that it is in Kazakhstan where man first rode a horse, thousands of years ago.

9. Lake Balkhash of Kazakhstan is one of the largest lakes in the world. One half of Lake Balkhash consists of fresh water, while the other half is made up of salt water.

10. The national bird of Kazakhstan is the Golden Eagle, while Dombra is its national instrument.

For more facts visit:
http://www.factmonster.com/country/kazakhstan.html
http://www.countryreports.org/country/Kazakhstan.htm

Some beautiful places are:

For tourism details visit:
http://visitkazakhstan.kz/en/about/