Topography: The Altay and the Tian Shan ranges are in the east and the north-east, occupying about 12 % of the territory; more than three-quarters of territory is desert or semi-desert; the biggest rivers are the Ural, the Emba, the Syr Darya, the Irtysh, the Ishim and the Tobol.
Climate: Continental and very dry except in the eastern mountains, where the snowfall is heavy with wide temperature variation between winter and summer.
Population: 14.9 million people; growth rate is -1.0% a year; 55% of population is urban, 45% rural. About 126 nations; 53% of population are Kazakhs.
Language: Kazakh, Russian.
Religion: Sunni Muslims -47%; Russians Orthodox-44 %; Catholics, Protestants, Jews, Buddhists and others-9 %.
Education: Compulsory secondary education - 11 years; there are 126 universities.
Health: Health care is generally free of charge; some efficient private practices have been introduced recently.
Culture: Culture is based on traditional nomadic lifestyle; handicrafts, variety of food and very rich musical culture.
Major industries: Mining industry, especially oil and gas production, metal processing, machine building, chemicals, textiles, food processing, agriculture, grain production.
Main trading partners: Russia, Ukraine, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, South Korea and China.
Ecology: Major problem to be solved as a result of industrial influence.
Money: Currency - Tenge (KZT).
Popular tourist destinations: Aksu-Zhabagly Nature Reserve, Almaty, Burabai, Taraz, Turkestan, and Zailiyski Alatau.