Kazakhstan

 Central Asia, northwest of China; a small portion west of the Ural River in eastern-most Europe

Lowest point: Vpadina Kaundy -132 m 

Highest point: Khan Tangiri Shyngy (Pik Khan-Tengri) 6,995 m

Capital: Astana; note - the government moved from Almaty to Astana in December 1998

Religion: Muslim 47%, Russian Orthodox 44%, Protestant 2%, other 7%

Languages Spoken: Kazakh (Qazaq, state language) 64.4%, Russian (official, used in everyday business, designated the "language of interethnic communication") 95% 

See also: Languages spoken in Asia, Languages of the world

Information & Brief History
Native Kazakhs, a mix of Turkic and Mongol nomadic tribes who migrated into the region in the 13th century, were rarely united as a single nation. The area was conquered by Russia in the 18th century and Kazakhstan became a Soviet Republic in 1936. During the 1950s and 1960s agricultural "Virgin Lands" program, Soviet citizens were encouraged to help cultivate Kazakhstan's northern pastures. This influx of immigrants (mostly Russians, but also some other deported nationalities) skewed the ethnic mixture and enabled non-Kazakhs to outnumber natives. Independence in 1991 caused many of these newcomers to emigrate. Current issues include: developing a cohesive national identity; expanding the development of the country's vast energy resources and exporting them to world markets; achieving a sustainable economic growth outside the oil, gas, and mining sectors; and strengthening relations with neighboring states and other foreign powers.