Kazakhstan
For the Kazakh television station of the same name, see Qazaqstan (channel).
Republic of Kazakhstan
Flag
Emblem
Anthem: Менің Қазақстаным
Meniń Qazaqstanym
"My Kazakhstan"
Location of Kazakhstan (green)
CapitalAstana
51°10′N 71°26′ELargest cityAlmatyOfficial languages
Ethnic groups(2016[2])
DemonymKazakhstani[a][4]GovernmentUnitary presidentialconstitutional republic• President
Nursultan Nazarbayev• Prime Minister
Bakhytzhan SagintayevLegislatureParliament• Upper house
Senate• Lower house
MazhilisFormation• Kazakh Khanate
1465• Alash Autonomy
13 December 1917• Kirghiz ASSR
26 August 1920• Kazak ASSR
19 June 1925• Kazakh SSR
5 December 1936• Declared Sovereignty
25 October 1990• Reconstituted as the Republic of Kazakhstan
10 December 1991• Declared Independence from the USSR
16 December 1991• CIS Accession
21 December 1991• Recognized
26 December 1991• Admitted to theUnited Nations
2 March 1992• Current constitution
30 August 1995Area • Total
2,724,900 km2(1,052,100 sq mi) (9th)• Water (%)
1.7Population• 2016 estimate
17,987,736[5] (64th)• Density
6.49/km2 (16.8/sq mi) (227th)GDP (PPP)2018 estimate• Total
$497 billion[6] (42nd)• Per capita
$26,929[6] (53rd)GDP (nominal)2018 estimate• Total
$170 billion[6] (50th)• Per capita
$9,224[6] (54th)Gini (2013)26.4[7]
lowHDI (2014)
0.788[8]
high · 56thCurrencyTenge (₸) (KZT)Time zoneWest / East (UTC+5 / +6)Drives on therightCalling code+7-6xx, +7-7xxISO 3166 codeKZInternet TLD
Kazakhstan[b] (Kazakh: Қазақстан, translit. Qazaqstan, IPA: [qɑzɑqˈstɑn] (
listen); Russian: Казахстан, IPA: [kəzɐxˈstan]), officially the Republic of Kazakhstan (Kazakh: Қазақстан Республикасы, translit. Qazaqstan Respýblıkasy; Russian: Республика Казахстан, tr. Respublika Kazakhstan is the world's largest landlocked country, and the ninth largestin the world, with an area of 2,724,900 square kilometres (1,052,100 sq mi).[4][14]Kazakhstan is the dominant nation of Central Asia economically, generating 60% of the region's GDP, primarily through its oil/gas industry. It also has vast mineral resources.[15]Kazakhstan is officially a democratic, secular, unitary, constitutional republic with a diverse cultural heritage.[16]Kazakhstan shares borders with Russia, China, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan, and also adjoins a large part of the Caspian Sea. The terrain of Kazakhstan includes flatlands, steppe, taiga, rock canyons, hills, deltas, snow-capped mountains, and deserts. Kazakhstan has an estimated 18 million people as of 2014.[17] Given its large land area, its population density is among the lowest, at less than 6 people per square kilometre (15 people per sq mi). The capital is Astana, where it was moved in 1997 from Almaty, the country's largest city.
The territory of Kazakhstan has historically been inhabited by Turkic nomads who trace their ancestry to many Turkic statessuch as Turkic Khaganate etc. In the 13th century, the territory joined the Mongolian Empire under Genghis Khan. By the 16th century, the Kazakh emerged as a distinct group, divided into three jüz (ancestor branches occupying specific territories). The Russians began advancing into the Kazakh steppe in the 18th century, and by the mid-19th century, they nominally ruled all of Kazakhstan as part of the Russian Empire. Following the 1917 Russian Revolution, and subsequent civil war, the territory of Kazakhstan was reorganised several times. In 1936, it was made the Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic, part of the Soviet Union.
Kazakhstan was the last of the Soviet republics to declare independence during the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991. The current President, Nursultan Nazarbayev, has been leader of the country since then, and is characterised as authoritarian, with a government history of human rights abuses and suppression of political opposition.[15]Kazakhstan has worked to develop its economy, especially its dominant hydrocarbon industry.[15] Human Rights Watch says that "Kazakhstan heavily restricts freedom of assembly, speech, and religion,"[18] and other human rights organisations regularly describe Kazakhstan's human rights situation as poor.
Kazakhstan's 131 ethnicities include Kazakhs (63% of the population), Russians, Uzbeks, Ukrainians, Germans, Tatars, and Uyghurs.[19] Islam is the religion of about 70% of the population, with Christianity practised by 26%.[20]Kazakhstan officially allows freedom of religion, but religious leaders who oppose the government are suppressed.[21] The Kazakh language is the state language, and Russian has equal official status for all levels of administrative and institutional purposes.[4][22] Kazakhstan is a member of the United Nations, WTO, CIS, the Eurasian Economic Union, CSTO, SCO, OSCE, OIC, and TURKSOY.
Contents
EtymologyThe name "Kazakh" comes from the ancient Turkic word qaz, "to wander", reflecting the Kazakhs' nomadicculture.[23] The name "Cossack" is of the same origin.[23] The Persian suffix -stanmeans "land" or "place of", so Kazakhstancan be literally translated as "land of the wanderers".
Though traditionally referring only to ethnic Kazakhs, including those living in China, Russia, Turkey, Uzbekistan and other neighbouring countries, the term "Kazakh" is increasingly being used to refer to any inhabitant of Kazakhstan, including non-Kazakhs.[24]
HistoryMain article: History of Kazakhstan
Kazakh family inside a Yurt, 1911/1914
Kazakhstan has been inhabited since the Paleolithic.[25]Pastoralism developed during the Neolithic as the region's climate and terrain are best suited for a nomadic lifestyle. The Kazakh territory was a key constituent of the Eurasian Steppe route, the ancestor of the terrestrial Silk Roads. Archaeologists believe that humans first domesticated the horse (i.e. ponies) in the region's vast steppes. Central Asia was originally inhabited by the Scythians.[26]According to the Jewish historian, Josephus, areas of Bactria (southern Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Afghanistan) were also inhabited earlier by a Semitic race of Aramaeans, the sons of Gather.[27]
Kazakh KhanateMain article: Kazakh Khanate
Ablai Khan served as khan of the Middle jüzfrom 1771 to 1781
Traditional Kazakh wedding dress
Kyzyl Kensh Palace Ruins in Karkaraly National Park.
An old map of Central Asia, Tibet, and Western China. ca. 1750, showing Kazakhs' influence on these areas.
The Cuman entered the steppes of modern-day Kazakhstan around the early 11th century, where they later joined with the Kipchak and established the vast Cuman-Kipchak confederation. While ancient cities Taraz (Aulie-Ata) and Hazrat-e Turkestan had long served as important way-stations along the Silk Roadconnecting Asia and Europe, true political consolidation began only with the Mongol rule of the early 13th century. Under the Mongol Empire, the largest in world history, administrative districts were established. These eventually came under the rule of the emergent Kazakh Khanate (Kazakhstan).
Throughout this period, traditional nomadic life and a livestock-based economy continued to dominate the steppe. In the 15th century, a distinct Kazakh identity began to emerge among the Turkic tribes, a process which was consolidated by the mid-16th century with the appearance of the Kazakh language, culture, and economy.
Nevertheless, the region was the focus of ever-increasing disputes between the native Kazakh emirs and the neighbouring Persian-speaking peoples to the south. At its height the Khanate would rule parts of Central Asia and control Cumania. By the early 17th century, the Kazakh Khanate was struggling with the impact of tribal rivalries, which had effectively divided the population into the Great, Middle and Little (or Small) hordes (jüz). Political disunion, tribal rivalries, and the diminishing importance of overland trade routes between East and West weakened the Kazakh Khanate. Khiva Khanate used this opportunity and annexed Mangyshlak Peninsula. Uzbek rule there lasted two centuries until the Russian arrival.
During the 17th century, the Kazakhs fought Oirats, a federation of western Mongol tribes, including the Dzungar.[28] The beginning of the 18th century marked the zenith of the Kazakh Khanate. During this period the Little Horde participated in the 1723–1730 war against the Dzungar, following their "Great Disaster" invasion of Kazakh territories. Under the leadership of Abul Khair Khan, the Kazakh won major victories over the Dzungar at the Bulanty River in 1726, and at the Battle of Anrakay in 1729.[29]
Ablai Khan participated in the most significant battles against the Dzungar from the 1720s to the 1750s, for which he was declared a "batyr" ("hero") by the people. The Kazakh suffered from the frequent raids against them by the Volga Kalmyk. The Kokand Khanate used the weakness of Kazakh jüzs after Dzungar and Kalmyk raids and conquered present Southeastern Kazakhstan, including Almaty, the formal capital in the first quarter of the 19th century. Also, the Emirate of Bukhara ruled Shymken before the Russians took dominance.
Republic of Kazakhstan
- Қазақстан Республикасы (Kazakh)
Qazaqstan Respýblıkasy - Республика Казахстан (Russian)
Respublika Kazakhstan
Flag
Emblem
Anthem: Менің Қазақстаным
Meniń Qazaqstanym
"My Kazakhstan"
.svg)
Location of Kazakhstan (green)
CapitalAstana
51°10′N 71°26′ELargest cityAlmatyOfficial languages
Ethnic groups(2016[2])
DemonymKazakhstani[a][4]GovernmentUnitary presidentialconstitutional republic• President
Nursultan Nazarbayev• Prime Minister
Bakhytzhan SagintayevLegislatureParliament• Upper house
Senate• Lower house
MazhilisFormation• Kazakh Khanate
1465• Alash Autonomy
13 December 1917• Kirghiz ASSR
26 August 1920• Kazak ASSR
19 June 1925• Kazakh SSR
5 December 1936• Declared Sovereignty
25 October 1990• Reconstituted as the Republic of Kazakhstan
10 December 1991• Declared Independence from the USSR
16 December 1991• CIS Accession
21 December 1991• Recognized
26 December 1991• Admitted to theUnited Nations
2 March 1992• Current constitution
30 August 1995Area • Total
2,724,900 km2(1,052,100 sq mi) (9th)• Water (%)
1.7Population• 2016 estimate
17,987,736[5] (64th)• Density
6.49/km2 (16.8/sq mi) (227th)GDP (PPP)2018 estimate• Total
$497 billion[6] (42nd)• Per capita
$26,929[6] (53rd)GDP (nominal)2018 estimate• Total
$170 billion[6] (50th)• Per capita
$9,224[6] (54th)Gini (2013)26.4[7]
lowHDI (2014)
0.788[8]high · 56thCurrencyTenge (₸) (KZT)Time zoneWest / East (UTC+5 / +6)Drives on therightCalling code+7-6xx, +7-7xxISO 3166 codeKZInternet TLD
Kazakhstan[b] (Kazakh: Қазақстан, translit. Qazaqstan, IPA: [qɑzɑqˈstɑn] (
listen); Russian: Казахстан, IPA: [kəzɐxˈstan]), officially the Republic of Kazakhstan (Kazakh: Қазақстан Республикасы, translit. Qazaqstan Respýblıkasy; Russian: Республика Казахстан, tr. Respublika Kazakhstan is the world's largest landlocked country, and the ninth largestin the world, with an area of 2,724,900 square kilometres (1,052,100 sq mi).[4][14]Kazakhstan is the dominant nation of Central Asia economically, generating 60% of the region's GDP, primarily through its oil/gas industry. It also has vast mineral resources.[15]Kazakhstan is officially a democratic, secular, unitary, constitutional republic with a diverse cultural heritage.[16]Kazakhstan shares borders with Russia, China, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan, and also adjoins a large part of the Caspian Sea. The terrain of Kazakhstan includes flatlands, steppe, taiga, rock canyons, hills, deltas, snow-capped mountains, and deserts. Kazakhstan has an estimated 18 million people as of 2014.[17] Given its large land area, its population density is among the lowest, at less than 6 people per square kilometre (15 people per sq mi). The capital is Astana, where it was moved in 1997 from Almaty, the country's largest city.The territory of Kazakhstan has historically been inhabited by Turkic nomads who trace their ancestry to many Turkic statessuch as Turkic Khaganate etc. In the 13th century, the territory joined the Mongolian Empire under Genghis Khan. By the 16th century, the Kazakh emerged as a distinct group, divided into three jüz (ancestor branches occupying specific territories). The Russians began advancing into the Kazakh steppe in the 18th century, and by the mid-19th century, they nominally ruled all of Kazakhstan as part of the Russian Empire. Following the 1917 Russian Revolution, and subsequent civil war, the territory of Kazakhstan was reorganised several times. In 1936, it was made the Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic, part of the Soviet Union.
Kazakhstan was the last of the Soviet republics to declare independence during the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991. The current President, Nursultan Nazarbayev, has been leader of the country since then, and is characterised as authoritarian, with a government history of human rights abuses and suppression of political opposition.[15]Kazakhstan has worked to develop its economy, especially its dominant hydrocarbon industry.[15] Human Rights Watch says that "Kazakhstan heavily restricts freedom of assembly, speech, and religion,"[18] and other human rights organisations regularly describe Kazakhstan's human rights situation as poor.
Kazakhstan's 131 ethnicities include Kazakhs (63% of the population), Russians, Uzbeks, Ukrainians, Germans, Tatars, and Uyghurs.[19] Islam is the religion of about 70% of the population, with Christianity practised by 26%.[20]Kazakhstan officially allows freedom of religion, but religious leaders who oppose the government are suppressed.[21] The Kazakh language is the state language, and Russian has equal official status for all levels of administrative and institutional purposes.[4][22] Kazakhstan is a member of the United Nations, WTO, CIS, the Eurasian Economic Union, CSTO, SCO, OSCE, OIC, and TURKSOY.
Contents
EtymologyThe name "Kazakh" comes from the ancient Turkic word qaz, "to wander", reflecting the Kazakhs' nomadicculture.[23] The name "Cossack" is of the same origin.[23] The Persian suffix -stanmeans "land" or "place of", so Kazakhstancan be literally translated as "land of the wanderers".
Though traditionally referring only to ethnic Kazakhs, including those living in China, Russia, Turkey, Uzbekistan and other neighbouring countries, the term "Kazakh" is increasingly being used to refer to any inhabitant of Kazakhstan, including non-Kazakhs.[24]
HistoryMain article: History of Kazakhstan
Kazakh family inside a Yurt, 1911/1914Kazakhstan has been inhabited since the Paleolithic.[25]Pastoralism developed during the Neolithic as the region's climate and terrain are best suited for a nomadic lifestyle. The Kazakh territory was a key constituent of the Eurasian Steppe route, the ancestor of the terrestrial Silk Roads. Archaeologists believe that humans first domesticated the horse (i.e. ponies) in the region's vast steppes. Central Asia was originally inhabited by the Scythians.[26]According to the Jewish historian, Josephus, areas of Bactria (southern Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Afghanistan) were also inhabited earlier by a Semitic race of Aramaeans, the sons of Gather.[27]
Kazakh KhanateMain article: Kazakh Khanate
Ablai Khan served as khan of the Middle jüzfrom 1771 to 1781
Traditional Kazakh wedding dress
Kyzyl Kensh Palace Ruins in Karkaraly National Park.
An old map of Central Asia, Tibet, and Western China. ca. 1750, showing Kazakhs' influence on these areas.The Cuman entered the steppes of modern-day Kazakhstan around the early 11th century, where they later joined with the Kipchak and established the vast Cuman-Kipchak confederation. While ancient cities Taraz (Aulie-Ata) and Hazrat-e Turkestan had long served as important way-stations along the Silk Roadconnecting Asia and Europe, true political consolidation began only with the Mongol rule of the early 13th century. Under the Mongol Empire, the largest in world history, administrative districts were established. These eventually came under the rule of the emergent Kazakh Khanate (Kazakhstan).
Throughout this period, traditional nomadic life and a livestock-based economy continued to dominate the steppe. In the 15th century, a distinct Kazakh identity began to emerge among the Turkic tribes, a process which was consolidated by the mid-16th century with the appearance of the Kazakh language, culture, and economy.
Nevertheless, the region was the focus of ever-increasing disputes between the native Kazakh emirs and the neighbouring Persian-speaking peoples to the south. At its height the Khanate would rule parts of Central Asia and control Cumania. By the early 17th century, the Kazakh Khanate was struggling with the impact of tribal rivalries, which had effectively divided the population into the Great, Middle and Little (or Small) hordes (jüz). Political disunion, tribal rivalries, and the diminishing importance of overland trade routes between East and West weakened the Kazakh Khanate. Khiva Khanate used this opportunity and annexed Mangyshlak Peninsula. Uzbek rule there lasted two centuries until the Russian arrival.
During the 17th century, the Kazakhs fought Oirats, a federation of western Mongol tribes, including the Dzungar.[28] The beginning of the 18th century marked the zenith of the Kazakh Khanate. During this period the Little Horde participated in the 1723–1730 war against the Dzungar, following their "Great Disaster" invasion of Kazakh territories. Under the leadership of Abul Khair Khan, the Kazakh won major victories over the Dzungar at the Bulanty River in 1726, and at the Battle of Anrakay in 1729.[29]
Ablai Khan participated in the most significant battles against the Dzungar from the 1720s to the 1750s, for which he was declared a "batyr" ("hero") by the people. The Kazakh suffered from the frequent raids against them by the Volga Kalmyk. The Kokand Khanate used the weakness of Kazakh jüzs after Dzungar and Kalmyk raids and conquered present Southeastern Kazakhstan, including Almaty, the formal capital in the first quarter of the 19th century. Also, the Emirate of Bukhara ruled Shymken before the Russians took dominance.
