KAZAKHSTAN TRAVEL GUIDE
Kazakhstan is the world's ninth biggest country by size, and it is more than twice the size of the other Central Asian states combined. It will be many travellers' first port of call on their Central Asian adventure, and there is much for the intrepid traveller to enjoy. Kazakhstan is the richest country in Central Asia, due to its large oil and natural gas reserves. The country inherited the culture of the ancient Silk Road, Nomadic lifestyle and the Soviet Union which had a great influence on its formation. This mixture makes Kazakhstan so different from any other country in the region and in the world. Its largest metropolis, Almaty, is a long-standing trading hub whose landmarks include Ascension Cathedral, a tsarist-era Russian Orthodox church, and the Central State Museum of Kazakhstan, displaying thousands of Kazakh artefacts.
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KAZAKHSTAN QUICK FACTS
Capital: Nursultan
Currency: tenge (KZT)
Area: 2,724,902 km²
Population: 18,28 million (2018)
Language: Kazakh (official, state language) 64.4%, Russian (official) 95% (2001 estimate)
Religion: Muslim 67%, Russian Orthodox 24%, Protestant 2%, other 7%
Electricity: 220V, 50Hz, European plug
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KAZAKHSTAN
KAZAKHSTAN PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
- 7 January, Orthodox Christmas
- 8 March, International Women’s Day
- 21–23 March, Nauryz Meyramy (Persian New Year)
- 1 May, Unity Day
- 7 May, Homeland Defenders’ Day
- 9 May, Victory Day
- 6 July, Day of the Capital
- 30 August, Constitution Day
- 25 October, Republic Day (1990)
- 1 December, Day of the First President
- 16 December, Independence Day (1991)
Also, Eid al-Adha.
KAZAKHSTAN WEATHER SYNOPSIS
Kazakhstan experiences a continental climate, with long, hot summers and cold winters. Winter in the north of the country is long and cold – in some years the frosts reached - 52°C (Astana), but there are also thaws up to 5°C. The shortest season in the north is spring, which lasts 1.5 months, while summer lasts 3 months and winter extends from October to April. Snow primarily falls in November, but can continue through April.
SPORT & ACTIVITIES
SNOW SPORT IN KAZAKHSTAN
The snow season in Kazakhstan runs from December to April, and is wonderfully cheap and peaceful when compared to ski resorts in Western Europe.
HIKING & CYCLING IN KAZAKHSTAN
Kazakhstan is a large country with varied climate. The southern regions are suitable for trekking from as early as late March, while in the northerly regions the trekking season doesn’t begin until May. The best time to reach some of Kazakhstan’s highest peaks is from June to August.
BEACH OPTIONS IN KAZAKHSTAN
Although there’s some debate as to whether the Caspian Sea should be regarded as a sea or simply the world’s biggest lake, Kazakhstan does have a few beaches such as Aktau Beach and Borovoe Beach. You could also visit one of the beautiful lakes such as Jasybay Lake and Balkhash Beach. Or why not the indoors Sky Beach Club on the top floor of the Khan Shatyr Entertainment Center!
