The Republic of Kazakhstan is a sovereign country located in Central Asia, spanning across a vast territory of approximately 2.72 million square kilometers. It is bordered by Russia to the north and west, China to the east, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan to the south, and the Caspian Sea to the southwest.
Kazakhstan is a unitary dominant-party republic with a presidential system. It gained independence from the Soviet Union on December 16, 1991. The country is officially known as the Republic of Kazakhstan since changing its name from the Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic in 1993. Nur-Sultan (formerly Astana) is the capital city, while Almaty remains the country's largest city.
Kazakhstan is known for its diverse ethnic composition, with Kazakhs representing the majority of the population, followed by a significant Russian minority, along with several other ethnic groups. The official language is Kazakh, while Russian is widely spoken and holds the status of an official language as well.
The country's economy is rich in mineral resources, particularly oil, natural gas, and minerals. It has made significant strides in economic development, becoming one of the largest economies in Central Asia. Kazakhstan is also recognized for its space exploration initiatives, being the home to the Baikonur Cosmodrome, the world's first and largest operational space launch facility.
Kazakhstan is a member of various international organizations, including the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and the Commonwealth of Independent States.
