Situated in Midwest Asia, Kazakhstan borders Russia (to the north), China (to the east), Kyrgyzstan (southeast), Uzbekistan (south), Turkmenistan (southwest), as well as being washed by the Caspian Sea. (to the west).
Kazakhstan occupies a large territory – it is among the ten largest countries –, formed by desert regions, steppes and mountains. After the fragmentation of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), the country gained its independence in December 1991, disposing of its huge nuclear arsenal (the fourth largest in the world at the time) in exchange for financial aid from the United States and today, it is one of the most influential nations of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CEI). The opening of its economy has been attracting growing investments.
Kazakhstan's population is concentrated in the north and south, where the most fertile lands and industrialized cities are located. The country, after the disintegration of the URS, received an influx of 100,000 tsars from other former Soviet republics.
The economy, after entering a crisis in the 1990s, has recovered significantly through foreign investments in oil exploration. In addition to the large oil reserves, Kazakhstan has uranium reserves. However, the country lives with high rates of poverty and unemployment.
Coat of Arms of Kazakhstan
Data from Kazakhstan:
Territorial extension: 2,717,300 km².
Location: Asia.
Capital: Astana.
Climate: Arid cold.
Government: Republic with mixed form of government.
Administrative division: 14 regions and the cities Almaty and Astana.
Language: Kazakh.
Religion: Islam 42.7%, no religion 29.3%, Christianity 16.7% (Orthodox 8.7%, other 8%), atheism 10.9%, other 0.4%.
Population: 15,636,987 inhabitants. (Men: 7,447,034; Women: 8,189,953).
Ethnic Composition: Kazakhs 42%, Russians 37%, Ukrainians 5%, Germans 5%, other 11%.
Demographic density: 5.7 inhab/km².
Average annual population growth rate: 0.72%.
Population residing in urban areas: 58.18%.
Population residing in rural areas: 41.82%.
Undernourished population: 4.5%.
Life expectancy at birth: 64.4 years.
Households with access to clean water: 96%.
Households with access to a health network: 97%.
Human Development Index (HDI): 0.714 (high).
Currency: Tange.
Gross Domestic Product (GDP): US$104,143 million.
GDP per capita: 26,753 US$.
External relations: World Bank, CIS, IMF, UN.
By Wagner de Cerqueira and Francisco
Graduated in Geography
Brazil School Team
countries - geography - Brazil School
