Kazakhstan is famous throughout the world for the majesty of mountain peaks, the mystery of deserts, emerald lakes, the uniqueness of the animal and plant worlds. What is worth mentioning about the most ancient civilization, which is this country. Nomadic tribes have lived here for a long time. It is here that a fairly large part of the Great Silk Road lies. So what is hidden in wonderful and unique Kazakhstan?
History
The history of the country dates back to the prehistoric period - 2.5 million years BC. e. The ancient era occupies the 8th century BC. e. - 5th century AD e. The medieval period falls on the 5th-18th centuries. A new history begins in the 18th century. and ends in 1917. Kazakhstan was part of Russia, the Nogai Horde, the Siberian kingdom, the Kazakh Khanate.
I stage of modern history fell on the period of the collapse of the Russian Empire before the collapse of the USSR. And the second stage began on December 16, 1991, when the republic became a sovereign and legal democraticstate.
During the existence of the country, the map of Kazakhstan has changed greatly due to its inclusion in various empires and kingdoms.
Administrative divisions
As it was said, Kazakhstan, whose territory is over 2 million square meters. km, is a unitary state. The country has 3 cities of republican subordination, 86 cities, 14 regions, 168 districts, 174 settlements.
So, the regions of Kazakhstan are presented below:
- Akmola.
- Alma-Ata.
- Aktobe.
- Atyrau.
- East Kazakhstan.
- West Kazakhstan.
- South Kazakhstan.
- North Kazakhstan.
- Zhambyl.
- Kostanay.
- Karaganda.
- Kyzylorda.
- Pavlodar.
- Mangistau.
Cities of Republican Importance:
- Alma-Ata (Almaty).
- Baikonur.
- Astana is the capital.
Climate
It is worth recalling that the area of Kazakhstan is quite large. Therefore, in different parts of the country, one can observe contrasts in terms of climate, relief, and water resources.
Kazakhstan is remote from the ocean, so in the north the climate is harsh and cold, and in the south flowers bloom out of season. The average January temperature is -18 °С in the north and east, -3 °С in the south. Average July temperature: in the north +19 °С, in the south - +28°..+30 С°.
AllThe regions of Kazakhstan are located in 4 climatic zones: desert, semi-desert, forest-steppe and steppe.
In the steppe zone are located areas in the north of the country. There is a very high wind speed here. In the steppe zone, winter is shorter than summer. Spring is equal in duration to autumn.
In the forest-steppe zone there are plains in the north of the country. The shortest season is spring. Summer lasts 3 months and winter lasts from October to April.
Dry steppes in the central part of the republic are located in the semi-desert. The winter here is extremely severe, the weather is unstable, and the summer is unbearably hot.
In the desert, which stretches across the plains of Kazakhstan, there is a long hot summer, great dryness of the air, and a harsh winter.
Relief
Regarding the relief, I would like to note that the area of Kazakhstan in the amount of ¾ is occupied by plains. In the east and southeast you can see the ridges of Altai, Tien Shan, Dzungarian Alatau. The Caspian lowland is located in the west. In the center of the country there is a mountain system of the Kazakh small sandbox.
Water resources
Regarding water resources, I would like to say that there are about 8.5 thousand small and large rivers in Kazakhstan. The Irtysh, Tobol, Ishim flow along the north and northeast. The Ural, Ili and Syrdarya rivers also flow through the country. In summer, numerous medium and small rivers dry up due to dry weather.
on the territory of the country is the Caspian Sea. Its depth is 5-7 meters. In addition to the territory of Kazakhstan, the Caspian Sea occupies a certain area in Russia, Iran, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan.
48 thousand lakes of various sizes are also located on the territory of the republic. The largest are Balkhash, Zaisan, Tengiz, Aral Sea, Alakol.
Animals and flora
In each region of Kazakhstan you can see the flora and fauna characteristic only for it. Thus, 480 species of birds, 155 species of mammals, 150 species of fish found their home on the territory of the republic. Reptiles and insects can be found in deserts and semi-deserts. Saiga, goitered gazelle, wolf, hare, rodents, fox, jackal live in the steppe. Swans, geese, gulls, ducks, flamingos have taken refuge on the lakes of the country. In the mountains you can meet snow leopards, mountain goats, bears, rams, deer, numerous birds.
As for the flora, there is also diversity. Juniper forests, coniferous forests, birches, apple trees, aspens grow on the territory of Kazakhstan. Highlands are distinguished by alpine and subalpine meadows, and deserts and semi-deserts are characterized by wormwood-grass, herb-grass, wormwood-s altwort plants. In the south of the republic, you can see a unique example of flora - citvar, or santonine wormwood.
Demography
The area of Kazakhstan (sq. km) is 2,724,000, the country ranks ninth in the world in this indicator. In terms of population, the republic is in 60th place. But this does not mean that the population of the republicKazakhstan should be proportional to the size of the country's territory. So, today over 17,098,500 people live here. It turns out that for 1 sq. km accounts for only 6 people.
The borders of Kazakhstan are with Russia, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, China. It is quite natural that Kazakhs, Russians, Ukrainians, Uzbeks, Uighurs, Germans, Tatars live in the country. How the borders of Kazakhstan are located can be seen on the map in the article.
Sightseeing places
Kazakhstan is famous for its sights. Many call this country an open-air museum. In the republic, you can enjoy magnificent scenic views and historical monuments.
So, everyone wants to visit Lake Burabay in the Kokshetaut region, which is covered with legends; feel the beauty of the alpine meadows of the Trans-Ili Alatau and the majestic landscapes of the canyon of the Charyn River.
One of the most beautiful cities is Almaty. It is located at the foot of the Zailiysky Alatau. Almaty attracts tourists with original architectural ensembles. Not far from the city there is a unique nature reserve with over 90 thousand hectares.
In South Kazakhstan you can see many graves of Saka kings. This burial is dated to the Iron Age. Its diameter is over 104 meters, and its height is 17 meters or more. No other place in Eurasia can boast such a large concentration of burial mounds of kings.
Arriving in Kazakhstan, every tourist is simply obliged to visit the following cities, which will tell their history and the history of the formation of the state:
- Astana.
- Almaty.
- Aktau.
- Aktobe.
- Atyrau.
- Baikonur.
- Balkhash.
- Borovoe.
- Zhezkazgan.
- Karaganda.
- Kokshetau.
- Kostanay.
- Kyzylorda.
- Pavlodar.
- Petropavlovsk.
- Families.
- Taldykorgan.
- Taraz.
- Turkestan.
- Uralsk.
- Ust-Kamenogorsk.
- Shymkent.
Culture
Public holidays are:
- March 8;
- March 22;
- January 1;
- August 30;
- December 16;
- May 1;
- May 9;
- July 6.
Since the area of Kazakhstan is quite large and people of different faiths live on it, Ramadan Ait and Kurban Ait are religious holidays.
Practically everyone knows that the inhabitants of the republic are extremely hospitable people. You can come to the Kazakhs without an invitation, and the owner of the house will be very happy. Among the characteristic features of the Kazakhs are tolerance, peacefulness, respect for elders. All these qualities are brought up in everyone from childhood, so there were no ethnic or religious conflicts in the state.
Although the customs of different peoples are mixed in Kazakhstan, most of the country's inhabitants speak Russian. In recent yearsKazakh and English languages are especially popular. The inhabitants of the country can be called "Kazakhstanis" or "Kazakhs". Although, as international practice shows, the term “Kazakhs” is still more used.
Foreign relations
Kazakhstan maintains international relations with all UN representatives. The main geopolitical partners of the state are: the European Union, the USA, China, the countries of the Middle East and the Russian Federation.
Since 2005, the republic began to actively develop economic and cultural processes with Yakutia, Tatarstan, Chuvashia, Bashkortostan, China. The state cooperates with the OSCE, CAC, the Council of Turkic-speaking countries, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the Collective Security Treaty Organization, the CIS, the Eurasian Economic Community, the SCO, the CICA, etc.
The Republic takes part in numerous peacekeeping operations. Thus, sappers from Kazakhstan managed to neutralize over 5 million ammunition in Iraq. The state also provides financial assistance to countries such as Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan.
Interacting with the Russian Federation, Kazakhstan cooperates in terms of the Customs Union, complies with the collective security treaty, is considered a member of the CIS. Relations with the People's Republic of China are becoming more friendly and closer.
Regarding economic interaction, we can say that the state pursued an active policy with the CIS countries, since the area of Kazakhstan allows this. Regarding the geopolitical opinion, it can be said that the government has always tried tobe neutral.
Kazakhstan is a country that has won the trust of other states, has occupied a certain niche in the international community. It is famous for its stability in economy, geopolitics and culture.
