Kazakhstan is the world's ninth-largest country, a vast Central Asian steppe nation rich in oil, gas and minerals, with a futuristic purpose-built capital, Astana, on the northern plains.
Geography & landscape
Kazakhstan sits in Central Asia, in the northern hemisphere of Asia. With an area of approximately 2,724,900 km², it is a continental-scale country, set in the northern hemisphere and exposed to the temperate climate band typical of its latitude. Its capital, Astana, lies near coordinates 48°, 68°.
The country shares the cultural and geographic context of Asia, with neighbouring states and trade routes shaped by its position in the wider Central Asia region. Topography, watersheds and coastline (where present) define the practical realities of agriculture, settlement and transport across Kazakhstan.
People & society
The population of Kazakhstan is around 20M. Communities, dialects and customs vary by region, and the country’s sense of identity is shaped by its history, its borders and the everyday rhythms of its towns and cities.
Kazakhstan recognises multiple official languages — Kazakh and Russian — reflecting the cultural plurality at the heart of national life. The choice of language often shifts with region, audience and context.
Government & politics
Kazakhstan is structured as a presidential republic. Political authority is exercised through institutions based primarily in Astana, with the head of state and head of government performing constitutional roles defined by the country’s legal framework. Domestic policy, foreign relations and the administration of public services all flow from this constitutional core.
Economy & currency
The official currency of Kazakhstan is the Kazakhstani Tenge (KZT). Monetary policy, banking, taxation and trade are managed nationally, often in coordination with regional and international institutions. Major economic activity tends to cluster around Astana and other principal urban centres, with secondary economies built on the country’s natural resources, manufacturing capacity and service industries.
Culture & everyday life
The cultural footprint of Kazakhstan shows up in cuisine, music, sport, religious life, festivals and design. National holidays mark the country’s historical pivots; family meals, café culture and street life follow patterns rooted in geography and tradition. International audiences usually meet Kazakhstan through its sport, its music, its food, or the global diaspora that carries those things abroad.
Travel essentials
The capital, Astana, is the natural starting point for first-time visitors. International dialling uses the country code +7, and clocks are set to the Various (UTC+5 to UTC+6) time zone. ISO standards identify Kazakhstan as KZ (alpha-2) and KAZ (alpha-3) — useful when booking flights, decoding number plates, or matching customs paperwork. The flag, 🇰🇿, appears at every border post and on every passport.
By the numbers
Sort or filter the table below to compare key metrics at a glance.
| Metric | Value | Unit / Note |
|---|---|---|
| Capital city | Astana | — |
| Continent | Asia | — |
| Sub-region | Central Asia | — |
| Population | 20M | people |
| Area | 2,724,900 | km² |
| Currency | Kazakhstani Tenge (KZT) | — |
| Calling code | +7 | international dialling |
| Time zone | Various (UTC+5 to UTC+6) | standard time |
| Government type | Presidential republic | — |
| ISO 3166 alpha-2 | KZ | 2-letter code |
| ISO 3166 alpha-3 | KAZ | 3-letter code |
| Latitude | 48 | degrees |
| Longitude | 68 | degrees |
Did you know?
Kazakhstan is the world's largest landlocked country and the ninth-largest country overall by area.
