|
Kazakhstan - GENERAL INFORMATION |
|
|
|
Population
| Main Cities |
Population |
|
Almaty
|
1,300,000
|
|
Karaganda
|
600,000
|
|
Chimkent
|
450,000
|
|
Semipalatinsk
|
350,000
|
|
Pavlodar
|
340,000
|
|
Oust-Kamenogorsk
|
330,000
|
|
Total population (millions): |
15
|
| Source: World Bank 2004 |
|
| Urban population: |
56%
|
| Source: World Bank 2004 |
| Average annual population growth: |
0.5%
|
| Source: World Bank 2004 |
| Surface area (km²) : |
2,724,900
|
|
Local time
| It is %T:%M %A in Astana and Almaty |
|
|
Languages
Official languages: Kazakh and Russian.
Business language: Russian.
Free translation tools
in Kazakhstan
:
Tranexp
Free English-Russian-English translator of texts and web pages
Ectaco
Free English-Russian-English dictionary
|
Religion
Religious practises :
Sunni Muslims 45.6%
Christian orthodox 44.2%
Protestants 1.9%
Shiite Muslims 1.4%
Others 6.9%.
|
Political system
Since 1991, Kazakhstan is an independent Republic. The President is directly elected for a 5-year term. The next elections will take place in 2005. The Secretary of State, the Prime and Vice Prime Minister are appointed by the President.
The legislative power is composed of the senate and the Parliament (the Majilis).
Moreover, there is a presidential administration, A Secretary of State and Superior Economic Council working with the Presidency.
Capital: Astana
Head of State: President Noursoultan Nazarbaîev (since december 1st of 1991).
|
| Number of visitors
in Kazakhstan
|
2002
|
2003
|
2004
|
World rank |
| Number of visitors (1000) |
2832
|
2410
|
3073
|
n.a.
|
| Source : World Tourisme Organization, data available in November 2005 |
|
Tourist sites
Almaty: The Zenkov's cathedral is surrounded by the Panfilov park, the public central museum, and the Arasan baths. The picturesque valley of Medeo can be found at fifteen kilometres North of Almaty. Kazakhstan counts many other natural sites: Tamgaly (red rocks), the marble wall, the nature reserve of Aqsu-Zhabaghly.
For more information about tourism
in Kazakhstan
, check out the following web site(s) :
Asiatour
|
Food
Traditional dishes
Besparman (meat, pasta and roasted onions)
Plov (meat, rice, carrots and garlic)
Pelmeni (ravioli)
Oriental candies
Koumys (fermented milk of mare).
Food-related taboos
Pork for Islamists and horse meat for Christians.
|
Export Entreprises SA ©, All rights reserved
Last modified in
October 2005
|
|
