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Kazakstan
Kazakstan
Ministries in Kazakstan
Projects in Kazakstan
Strategic KazakstanView project info »
Equipping The Next Generation Of Christian LeadersView project info »
Just ImagineView project info »
Giving Hope to Children and OrphansView project info »
Leadership SupportView project info »
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Background
During the 1950s and 1960s Soviet citizens were urged to help settle the “New Lands” of the Kazak Soviet Socialist Republic. The influx of immigrants (mostly Russians, but including some deported minority nationalities) created an ethnic mixture and enabled non-Kazaks to outnumber natives. Independence has caused many of these newcomers to emigrate. Current issues include: resolving ethnic differences; speeding up market reforms; establishing stable relations with Russia, China, and other foreign powers; and developing and expanding the country’s abundant energy resources.
Location
Central Asia, northwest of China
Area
2,717,300 sq km Land Boundaries China, Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan
Natural Resources
Major deposits of petroleum, natural gas, coal, iron ore, manganese, chrome ore, nickel, cobalt, copper, molybdenum, lead, zinc, bauxite, gold, uranium
Land Use
Arable land: 12%, permanent crops: 11%, permanent pastures: 57%, forests and woodland: 4%, other: 16% (1996 est.)
Population
16,733,227 (July 2000 est.) Ethnic Groups Kazak (Qazaq) 46%, Russian 34.7%, Ukrainian 4.9%, German 3.1%, Uzbek 2.3%, Tatar 1.9%, other 7.1% (1996)
Religions
Muslim 47%, Russian Orthodox 44%, Protestant 2%, other 7%
Languages
Kazak (Qazaq, state language) 40%, Russian (official, used in everyday business) 66%
Independence
16 December 1991 (from the Soviet Union)
Unemployment Rate
13.7% (1998 est.)
Industries
Oil, coal, iron ore, manganese, chromite, lead, zinc, copper, titanium, bauxite, gold, silver, phosphates, sulphur, iron and steel, nonferrous metal, tractors and other agricultural machinery, electric motors, construction materials
Currency
1 Kazakstani tenge = 100 tiyn