Exploring Kazakhstan: A Country of Contrasts

Kazakhstan is the world's ninth-largest country by land area, spanning over 2.7 million square kilometers. Despite its size, it's sparsely populated, with vast steppes that remain largely uninhabited.

Kazakhstan is a global leader in uranium production, accounting for about 40% of the world's supply. It also has significant reserves of oil, natural gas, coal, and various minerals.

With 131 ethnicities, Kazakhstan's culture is a unique blend of Turkic, Mongolic, and Russian influences, reflected in its traditions, languages, and cuisine.

The Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan is the world's first and largest space launch facility. Leased by Russia, it has been the launch site for the first human in space, Yuri Gagarin.

In 1997, Kazakhstan shifted its capital from Almaty to Astana, renamed Nur-Sultan in 2019. The move aimed to promote economic and political development in the north.

The domestic apple is believed to have originated in the mountains of Kazakhstan, with Almaty's name meaning 'Father of Apples'. The region still contains a vast genetic diversity of wild apples.

Nur-Sultan hosted Expo 2017, focusing on future energy solutions. The event showcased cutting-edge green technologies and promoted sustainable development initiatives.

Kazakhstan's vast steppes were once part of the ancient Tethys Ocean, making it a paleontologist's paradise with marine fossils found far from any modern sea.