Kazakhstan, the world's largest landlocked country, is located in Central Asia, with a small portion west of the Ural River in Eastern Europe. Known for its rich history as a nomadic region, it was once a crucial part of the ancient Silk Road trade route. Kazakhstan declared independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, making it a relatively young nation state.
Kazakhstan's landscape is varied and includes flatlands, steppes, taigas, rock canyons, hills, deltas, mountains, and deserts. It is bordered by Russia to the north and west, China to the east, and Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan to the south. The capital city was moved in 1997 from Almaty, the country's largest city and economic hub, to Astana (renamed Nur-Sultan in 2019), which has been developed into a futuristic city with unique modern architecture.
The country has vast mineral resources and significant oil and gas reserves, making it economically dominant in the region. Economically, Kazakhstan has one of the fastest-growing economies in Central Asia, due largely to its expansive natural resource base.
Culturally, Kazakhstan is diverse, home to over 131 ethnicities including Kazakhs (who make up the majority), Russians, Uzbeks, Ukrainians, and Tatars. Islam is the largest religion, followed by Christianity. The cultural legacy of the nomadic lifestyle can be seen in the country's strong traditions of horsemanship and hospitality. Kazakh, the state language, is written in the Latin alphabet, though Russian is also officially used in state and institutional functions.
