Kazakhstan

SHORT INFORMATION

Land and Resources, Rivers and Lakes of Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan contains an extensive network of rivers and several large lakes. Many of Kazakhstan’s rivers drain within the republic, although the Ishim, Irtysh, and Tobol rivers flow north into Russia and eventually drain into the Arctic Ocean. Due to dry weather conditions, the riverbeds of most of the republic’s small and medium-sized rivers remain dry for much of the year.

SHORT INFORMATION

Overview of Kazakhstan

Officially name: The Republic of Kazakhstan

Capital: Astana

Largest city: Almaty

Official language: Kazakh, Russian

Government: Presidential republic

SHORT INFORMATION

Religions in Kazakhstan

By tradition, Kazakhs are Sunni Muslims of the Hanafi school. The Kazakhs adopted Islam gradually, with complete conversion only in the early 19th century.