Kazakhstan

I

Introduction

Kazakhstan, republic in Central Asia, bordered on the north by Russia; on the east by China; on the south by Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan; and on the west by the Caspian Sea and Russia. It was formerly the Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic (SSR) of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR).

With an area of 2,717,300 sq km (1,049,200 sq mi)—roughly five times the area of France—Kazakhstan is the second-largest member of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). Almost all of Kazakhstan is located in Asia, but a small portion is located in Europe. Astana is the capital.

II

Land and Resources

Kazakhstan is composed of a vast, generally low-lying plain, fringed by mountains on the east and south-east. Differences in elevation in the republic are extreme. Mountainous areas along the border with Kyrgyzstan reach a height of nearly 5,000 m (16,400 ft), while considerable areas near the Caspian Sea lie below sea level. The Caspian Sea, the lowest point in Europe, lies at an elevation of about 28 m (91.9 ft) below sea level, while the Karagiye Depression, located to the east of the Caspian, lies at an even lower elevation. With a depth of 132 m (about 433 ft) below sea level, the Karagiye Depression is the lowest point in the former USSR.

A

Rivers and Lakes

Most of Kazakhstan’s major rivers drain internally, mainly into Lake Zaysan, Lake Balqash, and the Aral and Caspian seas. Diversion of river water from the Syr Darya and Ili rivers, principally for irrigation purposes, has led to a decline in the surface level of the Aral Sea and Lake Balqash. A few rivers, such as the Ishim, Irtysh, and Tobol, flow north to the Arctic Ocean. The riverbeds of most of the small and medium-size rivers remain dry for much of the year. Precipitation is meagre and generally decreases southward. Deserts and semi-deserts, including stone, salt, and sand wastelands, cover more than two thirds of the country’s surface area.

B

Climate

The climate of Kazakhstan is extremely continental, and, owing to the vastness of the country, characterized by great internal variations. Average daily temperature in January ranges from -19° to -4° C (-2.2° to 24.8° F), while the average daily temperature in July is 19° to 26° C (66.2° to 78.8° F). In the summer temperatures can reach 45° C (113° F), and in the winter temperatures can fall below -45° C (-49° F). Rainfall also shows great variation, with an annual average of 1,500 mm (59 in) in mountainous areas to less than 100 mm (4 in) in central desert areas.