Kazakhstan at a Glance

Country:  Republic of Kazakhstan
Government: Republic, authoritarian presidential rule
Population: 15,399,437
Area: 2,724,900 km²; approx. four times the size of Texas
Terrain: vast steppe surrounded by Altai mountains; Siberian plains in the north and oases and deserts of Central Asia in the south
Major language(s): Kazakh (state language, 64.4%), Russian (official, 95%)
Major religion(s): Muslim (47%), Russian Orthodox (44%)
Capital & population: Astana; 750,000
Monetary unit:  KZT (Kazakhstan Tenges)