KAZAKHSTAN is the ninth largest country of the world, is the motherland of nomadic people Area: sq.km The North Capital: Astana ( ) The South Capital: Almaty ( )

Location: in the center of the Eurasia continent. Kazakhstan borders Russia, China, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan Climate: extreme continental

Landscape and Relief The country's landscape varies enormously from the mountains and glaciers of the ridges of the Tien-Shan range (12 %) to steppe (26 %), semi-desert (14 %), desert (44 %) and forest (4 %). The highest point in Kazakhstan is 7,010 m above sea level (the Khan-Tengri peak). The lowest point is the west of the country, 132 m below sea level (the Karagie depression, east of the Caspian Sea).

Population: 15,000,000 Population per sq. km: 5,5 45% are Kazakhs 35% are Russians, 20% are Ukraines, Germans, Tatars, Uzbeks, etc. There are over 100 nationalities in Kazakhstan. Language: The state language is Kazakh, belongs to the Turk language group. In practice, Russian is used as a second official language and as the language of inter- ethnic communication. Religion: Kazahstan is a secular state Sunni muslims (47%), Russian Orthodox (44%) Buddism and Judaism 9%..

Population below poverty line: 38% Unemployment rate: 8,8% Medium age: 28 years Population growth rate: 0,26% Total fertility rate: 1,9 children born/woman

Head of State: President Nazarbayev GDP: US$105,5 billion GDP real growth rate: 9,2% GDP per capita: US$ 3,400 GDP composition by sectors: agriculture: 7,7% industry: 37,5% services: 54,6% Currency: tenge (0,0077 US$) Inflation: 10% Major Industries: oil, coal, iron ore, etc. Agriculture: wheat, cotton, wool, livestock