Kazakhstan stretches for more than 3,000 km (covering two time zones) from the lower reaches of the Volga in the west to the foothills of the Altai Mountains in the east, and almost 2,000 km from the West Siberian Lowland in the north to the Kyzyl Kum desert in the south.
The remoteness of the country from the oceans and the vastness of its territory affect the climatic conditions of Kazakhstan. The climate is sharply continental with an average temperature between - 19…-4 degree in January and between +19…+26 degree in July. The temperature in winter can lower to - 45 degree while in summer rise up to +30 degree.
Capital: Astana (since December 10, 1997) with population of 828,759 (as of 02.06.2014).
Administrative-territorial division: Administratively, Kazakhstan is divided into 14 regions, 84 cities, 159 districts, 241 towns and 2,042 auls (villages).
In terms of number of inhabitants Kazakhstan is divided as follows:
• 300,000 - 400,000 inhabitants – Karaganda, Shymkent, Pavlodar, Taraz and Ust-Kamenogorsk;
• 200,000 - 280,000 inhabitants – Uralsk, Temirtau Kustanai, Aktobe, Petropavlovsk and Semipalatinsk;
• 110,000 - 160,000 inhabitants – Dzhezkazgan, Ekibastuz, Kyzyl Orda, Aktau, Kokshetau and Atyrau.
Language: The Kazakh language is adopted as the state one. Russian is also widely used.
State symbols: Flag, national emblem
| Date | Holidays |
|---|---|
| 16-17 December | Independence day |
| 1-2 January | New Year |
| 8 March | International Women’s Day |
| 21-23 March | Nauryz Meyramy |
| 1 May | Kazakhstan Peoples’ Unity Day |
| 7 May | Fatherland Defender’s Day |
| 9 May | Victory Day |
| 6 July | Capital City Day |
| 30 August | Constitution Day of the Republic of Kazakhstan |
| 1 December | Day of the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan |
• The first day of Kurban-ayt, observed by Muslim calendar and 7 January – orthodox Christmas are also non-working days.
The Republic of Kazakhstan is a multinational state, inhabited by more than 120 nationalities. The main religion is Islam, but the Kazakhs manifest tolerance towards other religions of the peoples living in their territory, such as Christianity, Judaism, etc. The country has built many mosques and churches in recent years.
The Kazakh territory is fed by 8,500 rivers. The length of seven of them (the longest ones) exceeds 1000 km, including the Ural and Emba flowing into the Caspian Sea, the Syr Darya, flowing into the Aral Sea and the Irtysh, Ishim and Tobol, carrying their water to the Arctic Ocean. Kazakhstan has 48,000 lakes. The largest of them are Balkhash, Zaisan, Alakol, Tengiz and Seletengiz. Kazakhstan occupies the northern part and half of the eastern coast of the Caspian Sea. The Kazakh part of the Caspian Sea coastline is 2340 km. The major part of Kazakhstan is occupied by deserts and steppes. The rest of the area is covered by semi-deserts and forests. The flora and fauna consist of 155 species of mammals, 480 species of birds, 150 species of fishes and about 250 species of medicinal plants, with very rare ones among them.
The people of Kazakhstan are very friendly and courteous beings. They treat unanticipated visitors as guests as a part of their culture. This hospitality is a part of their ethics that has been developed and passed on through time. Many cultural ideas have been imprinted into the minds of Kazakhs since their childhood. They always keep a fair amount of respect for their guests, wanted or unwanted, and the elderly. Kazakh people are very patient. This ethic has been given to them from their ancestors. They believe in tranquility and peace which causes them to be harmonious people. They also believe that honesty is important and that they should learn how to care for the world. Kazakh people have traditions and customs in relation to helping one another. They are allowed to ask each other when they are in need of aid, give support to others, and look after the elderly. There are traditions for new birth and the achievements of a newly aging child. There are celebrations, ceremonies, rituals, festivals, and holidays for parts of children's lives. Kazakhs celebrate the arrival of a newborn. There is a holiday in honor of a new born being placed into a cradle. The tradition is to have the holiday no longer then five days after the child has been brought to life. There are many rituals, such as one that is performed on the fortieth day anniversary of a child's life. A ceremony is held after a baby takes his or her first steps. There is a festival that takes place after a ceremony for a boy's fifth, sixth, or seventh birthday. Excluding these traditions and customs, Kazakhstan culture still has a lot more ethics.
Food to the Kazakhs is a method of celebration and respect. Kazakhstan is a home of many interesting traditional foods and beverages, as well as meals as cuisines of other cultures. Kazakhs eat their own national dishes, but have been influenced by the other things, such as the food of Russia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Korea, Tatarstan, and Turkic food also thrown in. Meals in Kazakhstan are normally very generous, with servings of bread and other types of starch. Soup in Kazakhstan can be made of generally anything that is edible. Kazakhstan's forte delicacies include dishes made with meat and sour-milk dishes. Kazy is a dish that is commonly set on a dastarkhan, which is a table set for festivities. It consists of horse-meat sausage that has been smoked. Kazakhstan's national drink is kumis, also spelled kumiss or kumys, which is made from mare's milk. Kazakhstan's national dish is called beshbarmak. It means "five fingers" because it is eaten without using any utensils. It mainly consists of boiled meat along with something else mixed in. Kazakh's have borrowed a dish from Uzbekistan called pilaf. They also eat manti, a central Asian food. Kazakh people drink juices, milk, soft drinks, beer, water, and tea. Drinking tea is an important part of Kazakh people's daily lives. They drink it from about six or seven times in 24 hours. They always serve tea to guests. Kazakhs have come to always drink tea hot, with the thought of cold beverages causing illness. Even drinks that are normally drunk cold are just served at a cool temperature level.
Kazakhs have a specialty in the skill of handicraft. They like to use what they create mainly for decoration of things like furniture and yurts, which are shelters that slightly resembles tepees. They make many different things out of whatever material they have. Kazakh people make harnesses, tekemets, also known as felt mats, items made of wood, bone, and metal, headdresses, bags, saddle-cloths, wooden cups, large bowls, and ladles. These things are strongly decorated and embroidered in an interesting way. Kazakhs carve abstract designs onto wooden items. Horns of animals such as mountain rams and goats can be turned into decorations for bed and caskets. Leather from cows can be used as a material to make arrow quivers, belts, and flasks. Many Kazakhs are effective jewelers. Most apparently favor silver. They can make earrings and bracelets. Statues, decorative plates, special boxes, and carpets can also be made.
Kazakhstan's culture is too diverse to be written down in a way that captures all of it. There is also the fact that most of its old traditions and customs have been lost and forgotten throughout the years. These long lost aspects of Kazakhstan culture are slowly being dug out of the past and put into the present for the future generations. For now, the people of Kazakhstan shall continue to live with the aspects that are remembered such as the available ethics, cuisine, symbolism, and skills of handicraft. They believe in respect, patience, tranquility, honor, honesty, and love. They have their national dishes and beverages, along with some meals influenced by their neighbors. Kazakhs have their symbols, which they use daily. They also have their ability to create and decorate.
The splendor of Kazakhstan's nature and its natural landscapes are one of the main reasons for many travelers to visit this country. Here you will find everything from the majestic Tien Shan mountains to the endless steppes, from blue lakes to deserts. Altyn-Emel National Park will amaze you with its colorful canyons and mysterious the Singing sand dune, while Lake Balkhash will enchant with turquoise waters and a unique combination of fresh and salt water.
However, traveling around Kazakhstan is not limited to this. Beautiful cities with their history and cultural values: Astana, Almaty, Shymkent, Aktau, Karaganda and many others can give you a lot of new discoveries.
Also, travel around The Silk Road, where many cities and monuments have become objects of cultural heritage, will enrich your knowledge of history and world.
Kazakhstan is a country with a rich history and culture. The capital Astana impresses with its ultramodern buildings and architecture. The city of Almaty, the former capital, the center of the cultural life of the country, is famous for its green appearance and numerous parks. For outdoor enthusiasts, Kazakhstan offers excellent opportunities for trekking, mountaineering and skiing. Modern resorts such as Shymbulak, are located in the foothills of Altai, where you can enjoy winter sports and stunning landscapes.
Despite its remoteness from major tourist routes, Kazakhstan offers a high level of service and comfort. Modern hotels, well-developed infrastructure and friendly locals will make your stay as pleasant and memorable as possible.
The locals are always happy to share their traditions and customs with the guests. During the trip, you will be offered to taste national dishes such as beshbarmak, koumis and baursak, as well as take part in traditional celebrations and festivals.
Travel in Kazakhstan is about new experiences and discoveries, beautiful photos and the richest taste impressions.
We will help take an advantage of this unique opportunity to see for yourself in a country full of amazing contrasts and unforgettable impressions.
PS:
Uztravel Silk Road DMC will be glad to organize a memorable trip to Kazakhstan and Central Asia!
Incredibly multicolor Kazakhstan awaits you!
