Kazakhstan is situated in Central Asia, deep in the Eurasian continent.

Its territory is as large as 2,724,900 sq km (i.e. 1,049,150 sq miles). In terms of the area it is the second largest among the CIS states. In fact the territory of Kazakhstan exceeds that occupied by twelve countries of the European Union.

Kazakhstan borders upon the following states: China - 1,460 km - long border; Kyrgyzstan - 980 km; Turkmenistan - 380 km; Uzbekistan - 2,300 km; the Russian Federation - 6,467 km. Total length of borders amounts to 12,187 km.

The territory of the Republic stretches on from the low reaches of the Volga in the West to the foothills of the Altai mountains in the East - for some 3,000 km (a distance that spans two time zones), from West Siberian lowland in the North to the desert of Kyzylkum and the mountain range of Tien Shan in the South for some 2,000 km.

The northernmost point in Kazakhstan - 55'26'' NL - corresponds to the southern latitude of the central part of the East-European plain and to the southern part of the British Isles (the latitude of Moscow). As to the southernmost point - 40'56'' NL - it corresponds to latitudes of Transcaucasis and Mediterranean countries of Southern Europe (the latitude of Madrid, Istanbul and Baku).

Yet remoteness of the country from oceans and vastness of its territory determine climatic conditions.

The climate of the country is sharply continental. Average temperature in January varies within -19° - -4°C while average July temperature fluctuates within +19° - +26°C. The lowest temperature in winter may go down to -45°C with the highest one in summer over +30°C.

The population numbers some 14,841,900 people (01.01.2001). Population density is as high as 5,5 people per 1 sq. km.

The capital is the city of Astana (since December 10, 1997) whose population is as large as 319,000 people.

Administratively Kazakhstan is comprised of 14 regions (as of 5.05.97) with cities of Almaty and Leninsk enjoying a special status), 85 cities of which 40 refer to those of Republican and regional subordination, 160 districts, 10 municipal districts, 195 settlements, 2,150 aul (rural) counties.

In terms of the number of the population cities of Kazakhstan may be subdivided into several categories:

those having 300-400 thou. residents (Karagandy, Shymkent, Pavlodar, Jambyl, Oskemen);

those with 200-280 thou. residents (Oral, Temirtau, Kostanay, Aktobe, Petropavlovsk, Semey);

those with 110-160 thousand residents (Zhezkazgan, Yekibastuz, Kyzylorda, Aktau, Kokshetau, Atyray).

Most numerous are cities numbering less than 50,000 residents.

Kazakh is the official language. This notwithstanding, in State institutions and local administration bodies along with the Kazakh language they speak Russian quite officially.

Monetary unit is tenge that is equal to 100 tyins. It was introduced on November 15, 1993.

National holidays are as follows: Day of the Republic (October,25) and Independence Day (December,16).