Officially known as the Republic of Kazakhstan, it is the world’s largest landlocked country and ninth largest nation in the world.

Kazakhstan is one of the very last Soviet republics to declare independence following the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991. Currently, it has the largest economy in Central Asia due to its large oil and natural reserves.

The country possesses enormous natural resources in terms of oil reserves, minerals and metal deposits. It also has a thriving agriculture industry that emphasises on various livestock and grain productions. Due to its economic strength, Kazakhstan became the first former Soviet republic to repay its debts to IMF (International Monetary Fund) in 2000, 7 years before it was due.

Kazakhstan has the potential to be a major oil exporter with Oil and Gas industry leading the country’s economic growth. The country’s Tengiz oil field is 19 km wide and 21 km long and is also one of the world’s largest recently discovered oil reserve.

Mining is another major economic driver for Kazakhstan. The country mines several mineral deposits including salt, Uranium, titanium, magnesium, rhenium, copper, bauxite, gallium and zinc. Kazakhstan produces 35% of the world’s global uranium production and maintains the second biggest uranium reserves in the world.

The country has a well-developed space infrastructure and was the main launch site for Soviet and Russian space exploration. The Baikonur Cosmodrome is the world’s largest and oldest operating space launch facility. The facility was the original launch site for the Sputnik, the world’s first artificial satellite in 1957. It was also the location for the first manned space flight with Yuri Gagarin in 1961.

Tourism is a developing industry in Kazakhstan with emphasis on ecotourism and culture. The country’s natural scenery offers visitors the chance to explore dramatic mountains, pristine lakes and desert landscape.

Kazakhstan’s culture is based on a region historically inhabited by nomadic tribes. The territory experienced tremendous development when the Mongol Empire governed the territory in the 13th century. Ancient Kazakhs were also one of the first people to domesticate and ride horses. This Mongolian influence has shaped the country’s traditional pastime such as horse riding, archery and falconry.

The native are mixed descendants of Turkic and Mongol nomadic tribes who migrated into the region during the same period. Currently, the native people of Kazakhstan represent more than 120 nationalities.

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