Kazakhstan is famous all over the world for the greatness of the mountain peaks, the mysterious deserts, emerald lakes, the uniqueness of the animal and plant worlds. What is only worth mentioning the most ancient civilization, of which this country is. Nomadic tribes have long lived here. It is here that lies quite a large part of the Great Silk Road. So what is fraught with a wonderful and unique Kazakhstan?
History
The history of the country originates in the prehistoric period - 2.5 million years BC. e. The ancient era occupies the VIII century BC. e. - V century n. e. The medieval period falls on the V – XVIII centuries. A new story begins in the XVIII century. and ends in 1917. Kazakhstan was part of Russia, the Nogai Horde, the Siberian kingdom, and the Kazakh Khanate.
The first stage of modern history occurred during the collapse of the Russian Empire before the collapse of the USSR. And stage II began on December 16, 1991, when the republic became a sovereign and legal democratic state.
During the existence of the country, the map of Kazakhstan has changed greatly due to its inclusion in various empires and kingdoms.
Administrative division
As was said, Kazakhstan, whose area is over 2 million square meters. km, is a unitary state. The country has 3 cities of republican subordination, 86 cities, 14 regions, 168 districts, 174 villages.
So, the regions of Kazakhstan are presented below:
- Akmolinskaya.
- Alma-Ata.
- Aktobe.
- Atyrau.
- East Kazakhstan.
- West Kazakhstan.
- South Kazakhstan.
- North Kazakhstan.
- Zhambyl.
- Kostanay.
- Karaganda.
- Kyzylorda.
- Pavlodar.
- Mangistau.
Cities of republican significance:
- Alma-Ata (Almaty).
- Baikonur.
- Astana is the capital.
Climate
It is worth recalling that the area of ​​Kazakhstan is quite large. Therefore, in different parts of the country, contrasts can be observed with respect to climate, topography, and water resources.
Kazakhstan is remote from the ocean, therefore, in the north the climate is harsh and cold, and in the south the flowers bloom out of season. Average January temperature : -18 ° in the north and east, -3 ° in the south. Average July temperature: in the north +19 ° C, in the south - + 28 ° .. + 30 ° C.
All regions of Kazakhstan are located in 4 climatic zones: desert, semi-desert, forest-steppe and steppe.
In the steppe zone are areas in the north of the country. There is a very high wind speed. In the steppe zone, winter is shorter than summer. Spring is equal in duration to fall.
Plains in the north of the country are located in the forest-steppe zone. The shortest season is spring. The duration of summer is 3 months, and winters are from October to April.
The semi-desert contains dry steppes in the central part of the republic. Winter is extremely harsh, the weather is unstable, and unbearable heat reigns in summer.
In the desert, which stretches on the plains of Kazakhstan, there is a long hot summer, great dry air, severe winter.
Relief
Regarding the relief, I would like to note that the area of ​​Kazakhstan in the amount of ¾ is occupied by plains. In the east and southeast, you can see the ranges of Altai, Tien Shan, Dzhungarsky Alatau. The Caspian lowland is located in the west . In the center of the country is the mountain system of the Kazakh fine sand.
Water resources
Regarding water resources, I would like to say that in Kazakhstan there are about 8.5 thousand small and large rivers. Irtysh, Tobol, Ishim flow in the north and northeast. Also in the territory of the country are the rivers Ural, Ili, Syr Darya. In the summer, numerous medium and small rivers dry out due to arid weather.
on the territory of the country is the Caspian Sea. Its depth is 5-7 meters. In addition to the territory of Kazakhstan, the Caspian Sea occupies a certain area in Russia, Iran, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan.
The republic also housed 48 thousand lakes of various sizes. The largest are Balkhash, Zaysan, Tengiz, Aral Sea, Alakol.
Animal and plant world
In each region of Kazakhstan, you can see the fauna and flora that are characteristic only for it. So, in the territory of the republic 480 species of birds, 155 - mammals, 150 - fish found their home. In deserts and semi-deserts you can find reptiles and insects. Saiga, gazelle, wolf, hare, rodents, fox, jackal live in the steppe. Swans, geese, gulls, ducks, flamingos sheltered on the country's lakes. In the mountains you can find snow leopards, mountain goats, bears, rams, deer, numerous birds.
As for the flora, diversity can also be noted here. On the territory of Kazakhstan, juniper trees, coniferous forests, birches, apple trees, aspen grow. The highlands are distinguished by alpine and subalpine meadows, and deserts and semi-deserts are characterized by wormwood-grass, mixed grass-grass, wormwood-hodgepodge plants. In the south of the republic, you can see a unique specimen of flora - citrus, or santonin wormwood.
Demography
The area of ​​Kazakhstan (sq. Km) is 2 724 000, the country occupies the ninth place in the world by this indicator. In terms of population, the republic is in 60th place. But this does not mean that the population of the Republic of Kazakhstan should be proportional to the size of the country's territory. So, today over 17 098 500 people live here. It turns out that for 1 square. km accounts for only 6 people.
The borders of Kazakhstan are with Russia, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, China. It is quite natural that Kazakhs, Russians, Ukrainians, Uzbeks, Uighurs, Germans, Tatars live in the country. How the borders of Kazakhstan are located can be seen on the map in the article.
Attractions
Kazakhstan is famous for its attractions. Many people call this country an open-air museum. In the republic you can enjoy magnificent picturesque views and historical monuments.
So, everyone wants to visit Lake Burabay in the Kokshetaut region, which is fanned with legends; Feel the beauty of the alpine meadows of Zailiysky Alatau and the majestic landscapes of the canyon of the Charyn River.
One of the most beautiful cities is Almaty. It is located at the foot of the Trans-Ili Alatau. Almaty attracts tourists with its original architectural ensembles. Near the city there is a unique reserve, under which over 90 thousand hectares are allotted.
In southern Kazakhstan, you can see many graves of Saka kings. This burial date back to the Iron Age. Its diameter is over 104 meters and a height of 17 meters or more. No place in Eurasia can boast of such a large concentration of burial mounds of kings.
Arriving in Kazakhstan, every tourist is simply obliged to visit the following cities that tell their story and the history of the formation of the state:
- Astana
- Almaty
- Aktau.
- Aktobe.
- Atyrau.
- Baikonur.
- Balkhash.
- Borovoe.
- Zhezkazgan.
- Karaganda.
- Kokshetau.
- Kostanay.
- Kyzylorda.
- Pavlodar.
- Petropavlovsk.
- Families.
- Taldykorgan.
- Taraz.
- Turkestan.
- Uralsk.
- Ust-Kamenogorsk.
- Shymkent.
Culture
Public holidays are:
- March 8;
- March 22;
- January 1st;
- August 30;
- December 16th;
- The 1 of May;
- May 9;
- July 6th.
Since the area of ​​Kazakhstan is quite large and people of different faiths live on it, Ramadan Ait and Kurban Ait are religious holidays.
Almost everyone knows that the inhabitants of the republic are extremely hospitable people. You can come to the Kazakhs without an invitation, and the owner of the house will be very happy. Among the characteristic features of the Kazakhs, tolerance, peacefulness, and respect for elders stand out. All these qualities are brought up in everyone since childhood, therefore, there were no interethnic or religious conflicts in the state.
Although the customs of various peoples were mixed in Kazakhstan, most of the country's inhabitants speak Russian. In recent years, Kazakh and English have become especially popular. Residents of the country can be called "Kazakhstanis" or "Kazakhs". Although, as international practice shows, the term "Kazakhs" is still used more.
International relationships
Kazakhstan maintains international relations with all UN representatives. The main geopolitical partners of the state are: the European Union, the USA, China, the Middle East and the Russian Federation.
Since 2005, the republic began to actively develop economic and cultural processes with Yakutia, Tatarstan, Chuvashia, Bashkortostan, and the PRC. The state cooperates with the OSCE, CAC, the Council of Turkic-speaking countries, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the Collective Security Treaty Organization, the CIS, the Eurasian Economic Community, the SCO, the CICA, etc.
The republic takes part in numerous peacekeeping operations. So, sappers from Kazakhstan managed to defuse more than 5 million ammunition in Iraq. The state also provides financial assistance to countries such as Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan.
Interacting with the Russian Federation, Kazakhstan cooperates in terms of the Customs Union, complies with the Collective Security Treaty, and is considered a member state of the CIS. Relations with the People's Republic of China are becoming increasingly friendly and close.
Regarding economic interaction, it can be said that the state pursued an active policy with the CIS countries, since the area of ​​Kazakhstan allows this. Regarding the geopolitical opinion, it can be said that the government has always tried to be neutral.
Kazakhstan - a country that has won the trust of other states, has occupied a certain niche in the international community. It is famous for stability in the economy, geopolitics and culture.