Republic of Kazakhstan

Kazakstan Respublikasy

CAPITAL: Astana (as of December 1997; formerly Almaty)

FLAG: Light blue with a yellow sun and soaring eagle in the center and a yellow vertical ornamentation in the hoist.

ANTHEM: National Anthem of Kazakhstan.

MONETARY UNIT: The tenge (T), issued in 15 November 1993, is the national currency, replacing the ruble (R). There is a coin, the tyin. One hundred tyin equal one tenge. As of May 2003, T1 = $0.00661 (or $1 = T151.2), but exchange rates fluctuate widely.

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: The metric system is in force.

HOLIDAYS: New Year, 31 December–1 January; International Women's Day, 8 March; Nauryz (Kazak New Year), 28 March; Solidarity Day, 1 May; Victory Day, 9 May; Independence Day, 25 October.

TIME: 5 PM = noon GMT.

Location, Size, and Extent

Kazakhstan is located in southern Asia between Russia and Uzbekistan, bordering on the Caspian Sea and the Aral Sea, with a total area of 2,717,300 sq km (1,049,155 sq mi). Kazakhstan shares boundaries...