Kazakhstan Facts

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Discover Kazakhstan facts about its rich culture, diverse landscapes, and dynamic history. Learn about Kazakhstan’s traditions, cuisine, and the unique blend of modernity and heritage shaping the largest landlocked country in the world.

Kazakhstan facts with images

Interesting Kazakhstan Facts

Kazakhstan is like a giant treasure chest in Central Asia, filled with cool surprises! Did you know it’s so big it’s the ninth-largest country in the world? Imagine a land where you can find snow-capped mountains, vast deserts, and a space launch site. Plus, Kazakhstan is home to over 120 different animals, and some, like the snow leopard, are super rare and extra special.

Keep reading to learn interesting facts that you likely didn’t even know! If you learn learning about facts about countries, be sure to check out our 100 Best Facts About Canada for Kids, and Facts about El Salvador.

Kazakhstan facts

Facts About Kazakhstan

  • Kazakhstan is one of the few transcontinental countries in the world.
  • The first artificial satellite (Sputnik 1) and the first man (Yuri Gagarin) were sent into space from Baikonur Cosmodrome located in Kazakhstan.
  • The Kazakhs were not in the majority at the time of their independence in 1991.
  • Kazakhstan celebrates three New-Years.
  • The world’s biggest and oldest space launch facility is in Kazakhstan.
  • Kazakhstan fought with the UK and US in both world wars.
  • Kazakh men do not shake hands with women.
  • The Kazakh Naval Forces operate on the Caspian Sea, a massive inland sea that is technically a lake as it is not connected to the ocean. 
  • Kazakhstan is the world leader in uranium mining.
  • Kazakhstan connected the earth to outer space.
  • Kazakhstan means Land of Wanderers.
  • The border between Russia and Kazakhstan is the longest continuous land border in the world (7512.8 kilometers).
  • More than 99 elements of Mendeleyev’s periodic table can be found in the country.
  • The United States was the first nation to recognize Kazakhstan as a sovereign state, shortly after it declared independence in December 1991.
  • Shubat (fermented camel’s milk) is also available to buy.
  • Kazakhstan renamed its capital city Astana to Nur-Sultan in honor of Nur-Sultan Nazarbayev, after he finally stepped down, aged 78, in 2019.
  • Kazakhstan’s national drink is Horse Milk.
  • Some Kazakhs still hold onto their traditional nomadic beliefs.
  • The Kazakh word for “dog” is pronounced “eat”.
  • Following independence, Kazakhstan was ruled by the same president, Nursultan Nazarbayev, for nearly 30 years.
Kazakhstan fact: about president
  • Beshbarmak is the country’s national dish.
  • Kazakhstan is rich in mineral resources. 
  • There are wild apple trees in Kazakhstan.
  • Berkut chi, or hunting with eagles, is an ancient sport still practiced in Kazakhstan. 
  • During the Second World War, every third bullet for the weapons of the Red Army was cast from metal mined in Kazakhstan.
  • The chimney of Ekibastuz GRES-2 is the highest in the world (420 meters).
  • Stan is an ancient Persian word meaning “land” or “nation,” and Kazakh means “wanderer,” “adventurer,” or “outlaw.”
  • The most popular dish in Kazakhstan is “Beshbarmak”.
  • Horse meat is always on the menu in Kazakhstan.
  • Kazakhstan also has vast oil reserves and is the world’s ninth-largest crude oil exporter.
  • Kazakhstan Time zone: UTC+05:00.
  • Russian word for money (“dengi”) comes from the Turkic word “tenge” – the name of the current currency of Kazakhstan.
  • Kazakhs often serve different cuts of meat to guests as symbolism: the tongue is served to someone who should be more eloquent, and children get the ears to help them listen better.
  • Kazakhstan is extremely ethnically diverse.
  • Half of Lake Balkhash, one of the largest lakes in the world, consists of fresh water, the other half of the lake is salt water.
  • The King Arthur legend may have its roots in Kazakh history.
  • The Caspian Sea is the world’s largest inland body of water. 
  • Kazakhstan is the world’s largest landlocked country.
  •  The flag of Kazakhstan has a light blue background which represents the “Blue Horde” Turkic-Mongol people who used to fly the “Blue Banner” as well as the great skies under which the nomadic people have lived.
  • The people who live in Kazakhstan represent more than 120 nationalities.
  • Horse riding is significant in Kazakh culture, which also includes the traditional sport of kyz kuu, which translates as “girl chasing”.
  • Berkutchi (hunting with eagles) is still practiced in Kazakhstan.
  • It has five UNESCO sites.
  • In 2015, a mysterious disease killed 200,000 critically endangered saiga antelope in Kazakhstan. 
  • Kazakhstan occupies an area of 2,724,900 square km in Central Asia.
  • Excessive sleeping killed people living in a village in Kazakhstan.
  • The USSR conducted 456 nuclear tests at the Semipalatinsk Polygon in Kazakhstan from 1949 to 1989.
  • Snow leopards live in the mountains in eastern Kazakhstan.
  • The Aral Sea is located between Kazakhstan & Uzbekistan. It was once the fourth largest lake in the world.
  • The name Kazakh translates to wanderer or independent.
  • The capital has recently changed names.
  • One of the most famous sites to visit in Kazakhstan is the Medeo Sports Center. This is actually the world’s highest skating rink for kids and adults.
  • Many different species of lizards are found in Kazakhstan’s deserts, including the gray monitor lizard, the world’s largest lizard, which is found only in the Kyzlkum Desert.
  • Kazakhstan has a significant history with the Soviet Union because of its status as a former Soviet republic.
  • Kymyz (fermented mare’s milk) is a popular mildly alcoholic drink in Kazakhstan. 
  • Kazakhstan is home to about 120 ethnic groups and nationalities.
  • Nauryz is one of the top holidays in Kazakhstan.
  • People like to dance during dinner.
  • Kazakhstan is the world’s leading producer of uranium, the heavy metal used widely in nuclear energy production.
  • Kazakhstan does serve and sell alcohol, as well as pork; however, since the majority religion is Islam, not everyone partakes.
  • Kazakhstan is rich in oil and gas.
  • Kazakh and American women both got the right to vote on August 26, 1920.
  • Horses were first domesticated on the territory of the present Kazakhstan.
  • Kazakhstan is not the real home of Borat. Firstly, he was banned after his catchphrase was used to promote tourism in Kazakhstan.
  • Kazakhstan’s traditional drink kumis has also been referred to as “milk champagne.” 
  • Independent from the Soviet Union since 1991, Kazakhstan has had just one president, Nursultan Nazarbayev.
  • Many different species of lizards are found in Kazakhstan’s deserts, including the gray monitor lizard, the world’s largest lizard, which is found only in the Kyzlkum Desert.
  • In Kazakhstan, the ancient nomadic game known as kokpar (roughly translated as “goat-grabbing”) is played by two teams of horseback riders (similar to polo) competing over a headless, freshly slaughtered goat.
  • Kazakhstan has the second largest uranium reserves in the world.

Are you looking for more fun and engaging facts to share with your family? Check out these other posts for more facts!

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