GEOGRAPHY
Kazakhstan is located in Central Asia, west of China and south of Russia at latitude 48° north and 68° east. A small part of Kazakhstan, located near the Ural River, is in Eastern Europe.
Kazakhstan is comprised of fourteen main areas, or regional administrative districts. Almaty (the former capital) and Astana (the new capital) both have equal status as administrative districts.
Kazakhstan has 14 provinces (called oblasy): Almaty Oblysy, Aqmola Oblysy (Astana), Aqtobe Oblysy, Atyrau Oblysy, Batys Qazaqstan Oblysy (Oral), Mangghystau Oblysy (Aqtau), Ongtustik Qazaqstan Oblysy (Shymkent), Pavlodar Oblysy, Qaraghandy Oblysy, Qostanay Oblysy, Qyzylorda Oblysy, Shyghys Qazaqstan Oblysy (Oskemen), Soltustik Qazaqstan Oblysy (Petropavlovsk), and Zhambyl Oblysy (Taraz).
The total area of Kazakhstan covers approximately 2,717,300 square kilometers, which is about 4 times the size of Texas. The land stretches from the Volga in the west to the Altai Mountains in the east, and from the plains in Siberia to the deserts in Central Asia.
The highest peak in Kazakhstan is Khan Tangiri Shyngy (Pik Khan-Tengri), located in eastern Kazakhstan near China and Kyrgyzstan. It has a height of 6,995 meters. Kazakhstan’s terrain is diverse. Almost half of the total area is steppes and semi-desert, which dominate in central and western Kazakhstan. Eastern and Southern Kazakhstan are mountainous. Northern Kazakhstan has a variety of forests and steppes.
Although Kazakhstan has three geographic time zones, it is a landlocked country. Eight percent of the land in Kazakhstan is arable and agriculturally cultivated, primarily in northern Kazakhstan and to a lesser extent in southern Kazakhstan. Natural hazards include earthquakes in the south and mudslides in the Almaty area. In addition, Kazakhstan had a nuclear test site in the Semey area during the Soviet Union; almost five hundred nuclear explosions were conducted. As a result, most of the population in the Semey region has health issues. Kazakhstan’s Aral Sea is another environmental disaster. As a result of Soviet mismanagement, the two main rivers flowing into the Aral Sea had been diverted for irrigation. The Aral Sea dried up to 1/3 of its original size, leaving behind a harmful layer of environmentally unfriendly natural salts and pesticides. The Government of Kazakhstan, with the technical assistance of the World Bank, has restored the Northern Aral Sea to its original size.
Winter in Kazakhstan Kazakhstan Weather Agency
Kazakhstan’s climate is characterized as continental: extremely cold in winter, hot in the summer, and warm in both spring and fall. Spring lasts from March to the middle of May. Temperatures range from 64 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit with very low humidity because Kazakhstan is a dry and landlocked country. Summer starts in June and ends in mid-September. The weather becomes hot and dry, with temperatures ranging from 80 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit. In autumn, clear, sunny days predominate; temperatures range from 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Winter lasts from December to March. December and January are the coldest months of the year. Temperatures can drop from 40 to –30 degrees Fahrenheit with occasional winds.
It does not rain much in Kazakhstan. Winters are severe in northern Kazakhstan,
especially when there are strong winds. Summers are very hot in southern
Kazakhstan; the temperature can reach as high as 120 degrees Fahrenheit,
effectively halting all business activities for about a week or two in July.
“Tree of Life” A Symbol of Independent Kazakhstan’s capital Astana
Bazaar in southern Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan is one of the most scarcely populated countries in the world. Although it is the ninth largest country in geographic size, Kazakhstan’s population is a mere 15.5 million with a population density of five people per square mile. Most of the population resides near Kazakhstan’s borders and in large cities such as Almaty, Shymkent and Astana. Almaty, a city of 1.5 million, has ten percent of Kazakhstan’s population; Shymkent (800,000) and Astana (700,000) together also constitute ten percent of Kazakhstan’s population.
Ethnic Kazakhs compose sixty percent of Kazakhstan’s population. Ethnic Russians make up twenty five percent. The rest include over 100 diverse ethnic groups, such as Koreans, Ukrainians, Tatars, Uzbeks, and Germans. All ethnic groups live in relative harmony.
Life expectancy is sixty years for males and sixty nine for females. About ninety nine percent of the population is literate. All children are required to attend public and private schools between the ages of six and seventeen. Almost fifty percent of the adult population has college degrees.
Karakhan (Famous Kazakh Warrior) Mausoleum in Taraz, Kazakhstan 12th
century
Ahmet Yassawi (poet and Sufi mystic) Mausoleum in Turkestan, Kazakhstan 14th century
Humans have inhabited what is known today as Kazakhstan since the Stone Age. They led a primarily nomadic way of life, which best suits the region’s climate and terrain. Most historians believe that humans first domesticated the horse in the territory of modern Kazakhstan.
From the fourth century to the beginning of the seventh century, part of southern Kazakhstan was ruled by the Persian Empire. After the Arab invasion of Persia, various nomadic, proto-Turkic kingdoms ruled the area. In the thirteenth century, following the Mongol invasion, the area was incorporated into the Mongol Empire and eventually became the territories of the Kazakh Khanate in 1475. This was the genesis of “Kazakh” as a distinct political entity. Its major cities included Taraz and Turkestan, built along the northern route of the Great Silk Road. By the sixteenth century, Kazakhs developed a common language, culture, and economy.
In the early 1600s, the Kazakh Khanate was divided into Great, Middle and Junior Hordes; confederations based on extended family networks. Competition between hordes and internal divisions greatly weakened the Kazakh khanate.
In the nineteenth century, the Russian Empire began to encroach on Central Asia as part of “the Great Game” between the British and Russian empires for influence in Central Asia. Within almost two hundred years, Russia incorporated Kazakhstan and other Central Asian states into its empire. During this period, Russia enforced the Russian language in all schools and governmental organizations. In addition, there was a great influx of ethnic Russians into what is now Kazakhstan, thereby making Russians the largest minority group in Kazakhstan outside of Russia and Ukraine. Although there was a brief period of autonomy following the collapse of the Russian Empire, the Kazakhs eventually lost their autonomy to Soviet rule. In 1920, the area of what is now Kazakhstan became an autonomous republic within Russia and a Soviet republic in 1936.
During Soviet rule, Kazakhstan experienced repression of its traditional way of life; over 2 million ethnic Kazakhs died in the 1930s during the period of forced collectivization.
After World War II, Kazakhstan underwent massive industrialization as well as mineral extraction development. In 1953, Soviet authorities instituted a “Virgin Lands” program with an aim to transform the traditional pasturelands of Kazakhstan into a major agricultural region of the Soviet Union. This policy led to the development of the agricultural sector, which to this day employs over thirty percent of Kazakhstan’s population.
During Gorbachev’s perestroika (economic reforms) and glasnost (political reforms) in 1986, Kazakh students led an uprising in protest against the appointment of an ethnic Russian communist leader to Kazakhstan, in violation of the Soviet constitution. The protest was violent, with numerous deaths and subsequent imprisonment of protestors. This protest led to more nationalistic policies in Kazakhstan, such as the institution of Kazakh as the state language and the promotion of ethnic Kazakhs to key government positions.
On December 16, 1991, Kazakhstan was the last Soviet republic to declare its independence following the Soviet Union’s collapse.
The years following independence have been marked by significant reforms, particularly the transformation of the command economy into a market economy. Kazakhstan was the first former Soviet republic to be recognized as a market economy both by the US and the EU. Politically, Kazakhstan has been ruled by one leader, Nursultan Nazarbaev, who initially came to power in 1989 as the head of the Kazakh Communist Party and was eventually elected president in 1991. Nazarbaev extended his term in 1995 until 2000. In 1999, he won the election by 82 percent and extended his term from 5 to 7 years. In the 2005 presidential elections, Nazarbaev won 91 percent of the vote and currently is in his last term as president.
Economically, Kazakhstan enjoyed significant growth since 2000, partly due to its large oil, gas and mineral resources and partly because of sound macroeconomic policies. Living standards have improved dramatically; GDP per capita rose from $400 in 1994 to $6000 in 2006. However, the political system has not improved. Most of the independent media and opposition is harrassed, and international election observers have noted that neither parliamentary nor presidential elections have been free and fair thus far.
RELIGION
Orthodox Church in Almaty
Central Mosque in Almaty
With respect to religion, Kazakhstan is often considered part of the Muslim world, although it is debatable. Kazakhstan can hardly be called a Muslim country; it is neither Asian nor European. Kazakhstan is at a crossroads between Europe and Asia. This factor influences religion. Kazakhstan has never been affected by strong religious forces and sentiments. Religious organizations are passive and do not claim a political role in the state. In contrast to its neighbors, religious groups in Kazakhstan do not attempt to exercise their influence on political and social events.
Religion has changed dramatically since the dissolution of the Soviet Union. There is growth in religious freedom that would have been impossible under the Soviet regime.
Most Kazakhs are Sunni Muslims, though Islam in Kazakhstan is very different than in many Islamic countries. Kazakh synthesized Islamic practices with many pre-Islamic traditions such as belief in ancestor spirits and nature. In addition, most Kazakhs are very secular and are nominally Muslim, only observing a select number of Islamic holidays. However, since independence, the number of believers has increased and the number of mosques has grown. The second largest religion is Russian orthodoxy, primarily because of the large ethnic Russian population (twenty five percent of the total population). In addition, there are over forty five religious confessions in Kazakhstan.
Kazakhstan is famous for its religious tolerance and has hosted two International Religious Dialogue conferences in Astana in 2001 and 2006
CULTURE&CUSTOMS
Inside a Kazakh Yurt
Traditional Kazakh Yurt
Kazakhs lived in yurts, dome-shaped moveable tents made of camel’s wool. The word “kazakh” means “independent,” “wanderer,” or “free.” This is another testimony that Kazakhs were nomads long before they became a unified ethnic group.
Family and marriage are among important customs and traditions in Kazakh society. The family was the basis of nomad society.
The elderly members of extended families were tribal leaders. Marriages were arranged in order to promote tribal bonds. Tribal leaders’ roles included dispute adjudication, leading marriages and funeral ceremonies, and presiding over other important events.
In the words of a Kazakh proverb, “matchmaking lasts a thousand years, while a son-in-law lasts one hundred years.” This illustrates the significance of marriage in fostering relationships between the tribes.
However, in current times, arranged marriage is a very rare phenomenon. As in the West, most couples marry according to their personal choice. According to an old tradition, men kidnap their brides in order to marry; it is important to note that though some Kazakhs follow the tradition, the kidnapping is now always voluntary. There have been some incidents where women were kidnapped without their consent. In these cases, women have a right to legal action. In some rare cases, traditional families, especially wealthy ones, arrange marriages; this almost always occurs with the consent of their children.
The horse is an important part of Kazakh culture. Historically, Kazakhs have been excellent horsemen. Nomadic lifestyles required mastery of horsemanship. In the past, many Kazakh children learned to ride horses even before walking. Most Kazakh festivals revolve around horses in one way or another, including games such as races and horseback polo. Horse meat is a delicacy in Kazakh cuisine. Fermented mare’s milk (koumyss) is a national Kazakh drink.
Funerals
According to Kazakh tradition, relatives are central
figures in weddings and funerals. During funerals, Kazakhs bury the dead
according to Islamic traditions with zhanaza (death prayer) and serve meals for
visitors before burial. Only males go to bury the dead. Three important
gatherings are held in order to honor the memory of the dead; the first occurs
after a week, the second occurs after forty days, and the last occurs after a
year. During these get-togethers, relatives of the deceased provide meals and
imams read verses from the Quran in the name of the dead.
CUISINE
Kazakhstan’s food variety is modest, reflecting its location and geographic conditions. Primarily land-based and associated primarily with livestock grazing, most Kazakh cuisine incorporates meat from lamb, horse, beef and camel.
Besparmak (five fingers) is the most traditional Kazakh food. It is made of dough and horse sausages. In addition, palaw (pilaf) is a traditional dish with meat and rice that is also popular in other parts of Central Asia. Guests and respected members of society are honored with the sheep’s head.
Kazakhstan’s multiethnic composition renders other ethnic cuisine popular. Russian pelmenis (dumplings) and bliny (pancakes), Korean spicy salads and the noodles of Uyghurs, and Dungans are prevalent as well.
FAMOUS KAZAKHS
Abay Kunanbay
Abay Kunanbay was born in 1845. Today Abay is considered the founding father of Kazakh literature. Abay studied in the madrasa (Islamic school), where he learned Farsi and Arabic. In addition, Abay learned Russian language and literature. Abay was the first Kazakh writer to translate major literary works of the great Russian writers such as Dostayevski and Pushkin into Kazakh.
Abay was also a great philoshopher. His major work, “Abay’s Edifying Words,” is considered a great masterpiece in the Kazakh literature. He is also famous for a large number of poems related to the social, political and economic problems of the Kazakh society in the 19th century.
Abylay Khan
Abylay Khan is considered one of the greatest leaders in Kazakh history. He was born in 1711. At that time the Kazakh khanate was weakened by divisions among Kazakh tribes. Abylay was a major figure, who unified Kazakhs into a single nation and deterred external aggression by Zhungars to the east of the Kazakh khanate. Abylay Khan’s grandson, Kenesary, was a freedom fighter against Russian colonization in the 18th century. The name of Abylay Khan is associated with Kazakh independence.
Nursultan Nazarbaev
Nursultan Nazarbaev was born in 1940 into a poor rural family in the small town of Shamalgan in the Almaty region. After finishing high school in his village, Nursultan attended metallurgical college in Dneprodzherzhinsk in Ukraine. Upon completion of his studies, Nazarbaev returned to Kazakhstan where he worked in the metallurgical plant in Temirtau, northern Kazakhstan. He graduated from Karaganda University with a degree in metallurgy. Nursultan Nazarbaev advanced in communist party rankings and became second in command in the early 1980s. After the 1986 protests in response to the appointment of an ethnic Russian communist chairman, Nazarbaev was appointed the leader of the Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic. When Kazakhstan became independent, Nazarbaev won the presidential elections, becoming the first president of independent Kazakhstan. Since then, Nazarbaev extended his term in 1995 till 2000 and held elections in 1999 till 2006, where he won with 82% of the popular vote. In the 2005 elections, Nazarbaev won 91% of the presidential vote; the next elections will be in 2012. According to the Western election observers, the presidential elections were not free and fair. However, this presidential term is the last for Nursultan Nazarbaev according to the Kazakh constitution.
For Nazarbaev supporters, he is the founding father of Kazakhstan as an independent nation. From a backward Soviet province, Nazarbaev was able to create a strong state and a thriving economy that is unrivalled in Central Asia. In addition, Nazarbaev is given credit for his sound domestic inter-ethnic policies, as evidenced in an absence of ethnic tensions. Nazarbaev’s critics argue that he has consolidated power at the expense of democracy, independent media, the opposition, human rights and rule of law. Nazarbaev’s place in Kazakh history remains to be determined depending on which direction Kazakhstan takes after Nazarbaev’s departure from the political scene.