Everything you need to know about Kazakhstan: news, reviews, in-depth analysis, opinion and more
Kazakhstan: World's Largest Landlocked Country
The tribal conflicts over power have complicated the Kazakh history. The nomadic tribes who were the descendants of Turks and Mongols ruled Kazakhstan. Later on in the 18 th century Russia conquered Kazakhstan and it became a Soviet congregation in 1936. The agricultural revolution in Kazakhstan between the 1950's and 60's attracted people from other parts of the Soviet Union. These large-scale migrations led to non-Kazakhs outnumbering the native Kazakhs. Since gaining independence in 1991 there has been major foreign investment in the Caspian oil sector that has brought rapid economic growth to Kazakhstan.
Kazakhstan Profile: Overview of Facts and Figures
Geographical Information on Kazakhstan :
Kazakhstan lies right at the middle of Central Asia and is bounded by Russia in the north, China in the east, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan in the south, and the Caspian Sea and part of Turkmenistan in the west.
The climate of Kazakhstan is continental, with warm summers and colder winters. Precipitation oscillates between arid and semi-arid conditions.
Culture, Cuisine and Tradition of Kazakhstan:
The culture of Kazakhstan is derived from the tribal communities. Centuries of foreign invasion led to extinction of many tribal practices yet some are still in practice. The traditional Kazakhs believed in the power of nature so they worshiped fire, water and many other natural elements.
The Cuisine of Kazakhstan reflects the nature of its people, its history, customs and traditions. The main component of Kazakh food is meat or flesh from the livestock. The traditional way of preparation with bread products make Kazakh cuisine delicate and enticing. Refreshments include black tea and traditional milk-derived drinks such as ayran, shubat and kymyz
Tourist Attraction of Kazakhstan:
Kazakhstan's ancient links with Europe and Asia have provided many historical monuments that give the glimpses of past glory. The vast expansion of Kazakhstan gives ample of natural beauty in various forms of flora and fauna. There are many places to explore in Kazakhstan. The most famous tourist attractions are Turkestan, Taraz, Almaty and the new and shining capital city of Astana . Khodja Akhmed Yassaui mausoleum in Turkestan became a sacred place for Moslems from all over the world.
Major Sight-seeing Places in Kazakhstan include:
Havana, May 15 (IANS) Boxers from 15 countries and regions, including Cuba, will compete in the 43rd Giraldo Cordova Cardin International Boxing Tournament to be held here June 4-9 at Ramon Fonst Arena.
Moscow, May 15 (IANS/RIA Novosti) A Proton-M rocket carrying a French telecommunications satellite has blasted off from the Baikonur space center in Kazakhstan, said a spokesman for Russian space agency Roscosmos.
Washington, May 14 (ANI): Three members of the International Space Station Expedition 35 crew undocked from the orbiting laboratory and returned safely to Earth Monday, May 13, ending a mission lasting almost five months.
Washington, May 14 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Canadian astronaut and outgoing International Space Station Commander Chris Hadfield has recorded the first music video in space while floating in zero gravity, strumming an acoustic guitar and crooning his own rendition of David Bowie's "Space Oddity" as a special farewell before heading back to Earth.
Moscow, May 14 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Fifteen aircraft and six rescue vehicles will be deployed to ensure the safe recovery of the Soyuz TMA-07M landing capsule when it brings back to Earth three members of the International Space Station (ISS) crew early Tuesday, Russian aviation agency Rosaviatsia said.
New Delhi, May 6 (ANI): Kazakhstan's Minister for Economy and Budget Planning, Yerbolat Dossayev, has said that his country is looking forward to hosting the 47th meeting of the Board of Governors of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in Astana in the first week of May 2014.
Bishkek, May 5 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Parts of the pilots' bodies have been discovered at the site of Friday's US military plane crash in Kyrgyzstan, the Kyrgyz emergencies ministry said.
London, May 4 (ANI): The U.S. has tightened its screening of international students, its first security change after the Boston Marathon bombings last month.
Kuala Lumpur, May 2 (IANS) There will now be three groups, instead of four, at this month's Badminton World Federation's (BWF) Sudirman Cup to be held here from May 19 to 26.
Grove (England), May 2 (IANS) Williams Formula 1 team has signed an agreement with Kazakh investment firm TAK Group that will see the Kazakhstan capital, Astana, promoted as part of the arrangement.
Lisbon, May 2 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Russia's Svetlana Kuznetsova has reached the quarterfinals of the Portugal Open tennis event beating Kazakhstan's Galina Voskoboeva.
Washington, May. 2 (ANI): Three new suspects have been charged in connection with the Boston Marathon bombings.
Boston, May 1 (IANS) Two weeks after the April 15 Boston Marathon bombing, two classmates of the dead suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev and a third person have been arrested and face federal charges.
Washington, May 1 (IANS) A US federal advisory body has reiterated its concerns about Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi's admissibility to the US due to his alleged "complicity in the 2002 riots" in the state.
Moscow, April 27 (IANS/RIA Novosti) The Progress M-19M space freighter docked with the International Space Station (ISS) despite having failed to deploy one of its navigation antennas, Mission Control said.
Almaty (Kazakhstan), Apr. 26 (ANI): External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid said here that there could be a coalition government in Pakistan, but it was too early to come to any conclusion.
Almaty (Kazakhstan), April 26 (IANS) India said Friday it wants to see Afghanistan as a "possible driver of economic growth in the region" and warned that the "greatest challenge" posed to Afghanistan is the "persistent threat of terrorism that emanates from beyond its borders", a clear reference to the Taliban and other extremists operating from Pakistan.
Almaty (Kazakhstan), April 26 (ANI): Describing Afghanistan as a traditional friend and a partner of India, visiting Indian External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid said New Delhi views Kabul as a possible driver of Asia's economic growth in the future, besides accepting it as a strategically important neighbor with whom there are historical, cultural and economic ties that go back to the dawn of history.
New Delhi, April 26 (ANI): External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid will undertake a visit of China on May 9 in a bid to diplomatically resolve a bilateral impasse over the presence of Chinese troops inside Indian Territory in the Ladakh region.
New Delhi, April 25 (IANS) External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid Thursday arrived in the Kazakhstan capital of Almaty for the April 26 Heart of Asia ministerial conference on the Istanbul Process on regional security and cooperation for a secure and stable Afghanistan.
New Delhi, April 25 (ANI): India has said that the process is on to resolve the standoff arising out of Chinese troop incursions in Ladakh, and is hopeful that a solution would emerge.
Moscow, April 25 (IANS/RIA Novosti) The lower house of the Russian parliament has passed a bill in its final reading, banning public officials, lawmakers and judges from having foreign bank accounts or holding stocks or bonds abroad.
Moscow, April 25 (IANS/RIA Novosti) The Russian military expects the first launch of a new Angara carrier rocket to take place in 2014 after the construction of a new launch complex at the Plesetsk space centre is completed.
Moscow, April 24 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Russia Wednesday launched a freight rocket to the International Space Atation from Kazakhstan's Baikonur space centre.
New Delhi, Apr 24 (ANI) External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid will pay a visit to Almaty, Kazakhstan, this week for the 'Heart of Asia Ministerial Conference' which falls within the framework of the Istanbul Process.
Washington, April 24 (IANS/RIA Novosti) US Secretary of State John Kerry has called on the NATO to prepare for the possible use of chemical weapons by Syria in the ongoing civil war there.
New Delhi, April 23 (IANS) External Affairs Minister will travel to Almaty, Kazakhstan, to participate in the April 26 Heart of Asia ministerial conference on the Istanbul Process on regional security and cooperation for a secure and stable Afghanistan, an official said Tuesday.
Moscow, April 23 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Russian state officials should not own real estate abroad, as it could leave them open to "pressure", a spokesman for the Kremlin has said.
Moscow, April 22 (IANS/RIA Novosti) A Soyuz-U rocket carrying a Progress M-19M cargo spacecraft was brought to the launch site of the Baikonur space center in Kazakhstan Monday and installed on the launch pad, Russia's Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) said.
Tehran, April 21 (IANS) Iran has rejected a UN Security Council statement calling Tehran's nuclear programme a threat to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), Xinhua reported.
Budapest, April 20 (IANS) Japan, Kazakhstan and Italy defeated their respective opponents at the 2013 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship Division I Group A here.
London, Apr 20 (ANI): A bug that stoles cash by racking up charges from sending premium rate text messages has been found in Android Apps store.
Washington, April 20 (IANS) The parents of the two Boston bombing suspects have flatly denied that their sons, Dzhokar Tsarnaev, 19, and his older brother Tamerlan, 26, could be involved in Monday's terror attack.
Moscow, April 19 (IANS) Two brothers identified as suspects in the Boston marathon bombings grew up in a Russian region near Chechnya but have had little to do with the area for years, a spokesman for Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov said Friday.
Washington, April 19 (IANS) The two suspects in the Boston Marathon bombings, one of whom was killed and the other is on the loose, are brothers of Chechen origin -- with at least one a legal permanent resident of the US, according to various media reports.
Moscow, April 19 (IANS) Russia Friday launched a satellite with over 100 living creatures, including mice, lizards, snails as well as strains of bacteria, plants and seeds, as its "crew", federal space agency Roscosmos said.
Shymkent (Kazakhstan), April 18 (IANS) Former sub-junior National Champion Prayag Chauhan (60kg) Thursday continued his winning spree at the ASBC Asian Confederation Junior Boxing Championships underway here.
Moscow, April 17 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Russian investigators have opened a criminal case against an orphanage director suspected of exploiting teenagers in her care as unpaid labourers, officials said.
Astana/New Delhi, April 16 (ANI):Kazakhstan will host the 11th Eurasian Media Forum (EAMF) in Astana on April 25 and 26.
Shymkent (Kazakhstan), April 16 (IANS) Indian colts made a resounding start to their campaign at the ASBC Asian Confederation Junior Boxing Championships here in Kazakhstan.
Budapest, April 16 (IANS) Italy, Kazakhstan and South Korea beat their respective opponents at the IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship Division I Group A here.
Moscow, April 15 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Russia could introduce tighter passport regulations for citizens of former Soviet states crossing Russia's borders this year, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin said.
London, Apr 14 (ANI): Even though Kazakhstan-born Elmira Abdrazakova clinched Russia's top beauty pageant crown, to some she is "not Slavic enough".
London, Apr 14 (ANI): Even though Kazakhstan-born Elmira Abdrazakova clinched Russia's top beauty pageant crown, to some she is "not Slavic enough".
New Delhi, April 13 (IANS) India's junior boxers are set to start their season and partake in their first major tournament at the continental championships.
New Delhi, April 12 (ANI): The Chairman of the Agency of Kazakhstan for Countering Economic Crime and Corruption, Rashid Tusupbekov, visited New Delhi for three days and shared his country's experience in fighting corruption with his Indian counterparts.
Vostochny Cosmodrome (Russia), April 12 (IANS/RIA Novosti) President Vladimir Putin Friday proposed naming a future town near the Russian Vostochny space port after the father of the Soviet space programme, Konstantin Tsiolkovsky.
New Delhi, April 11 (ANI): The Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, Professor P.J.Kurien, has been unanimously elected the chairman of the Asian Forum of Parliamentarians on Population and Development (AFPPD) today in Bangkok.
Tehran, April 9 (Xinhua-ANI): Iran on Tuesday reiterated its call for the P5+1 group to recognize its "right" of uranium enrichment.
Vancouver, April 8 (IANS) Canada advanced to the Davis Cup semifinals for the first time Sunday when Milos Raonic beat Italy's Andreas Seppi 6-4, 6-4, 3-6, 7-5 to win the World Group tie 3-1.
Almaty (Kazakhstan), April 7 (IANS/RIA Novosti) The latest round of talks between six world powers and Iran on its nuclear programme has been "definitely a step forward", although it ended with no clear breakthrough, Russia's top negotiator on Iran said.
Buenos Aires, April 6 (IANS) Juan Monaco defeated Gilles Simon 7-6 (2), 6-2, 6-4 to leave the Argentina-France tied at 1-1 after the first two singles in the Davis Cup quarterfinals.
Almaty, April 5 (IANS/RIA Novosti) A new round of talks between Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany (P5+1) commenced in the Kazakh city of Almaty Friday as the sides struggle to find a compromise on Tehran's controversial nuclear programme.
New Delhi, Apr 5 (ANI): India and Azerbaijan have signed a treaty on legal and judicial cooperation in civil and commercial matters.
Tehran, April 4 (IANS) Iran's chief nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili said Thursday that the West must recognize his country's right to uranium enrichment in the upcoming nuclear talks.
Mumbai, April 4 (IANS) US astronaut Sunita Williams here Thursday said she was looking forward to India's participation in various space programmes in a big way.
Tehran, April 4 (Xinhua-ANI): Iran's chief nuclear negotiator, Saeed Jalili has called for stronger and closer ties with Kazakhstan, Press TV reported Thursday.
Moscow, April 4 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Border guards in the south Russian city of Astrakhan have seized a consignment of 150 kg of slimming pills containing a substance banned in Russia.
New Delhi, April 2 (IANS) India, Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan are exploring the possibilities for a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA).
New Delhi, April 2 (IANS) India, Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan are exploring the possibilities for a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA).
New Delhi, Apr. 2 (ANI): India and Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC) today agreed to move towards starting negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) between India and Customs Union (CU) that comprises the Republic of Belarus, the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Russian Federation.
Washington, April 2 (ANI): The answer to whether or not we are alone in the universe could be inside every cell in our body, two researchers has suggested.
New Delhi, April.1 (ANI): A round table on the role of the Congress of World and Traditional Religions was held here recently with the objective of promoting international and inter-confessional dialogue.
New Delhi, March 30 (IANS) Kazakhstan's experience of promoting interfaith harmony through a world congress of religions which the Central Asian country has been holding in Astana since 2003 was marked at a roundtable here attended by delegates of different faiths.
Prague, March 30 (IANS) Tomas Berdych will miss holders the Czech Republic's Davis Cup semifinal against Kazakhstan next weekend due to an injured shoulder.
Tbilisi (Georgia), March 29 (IANS) The draw for the UEFA Futsal Cup semi-finals pits holders FC Barcelona against Kairat Almaty and Iberia Star Tbilisi against MFK Dinamo.
Baikonur (Kazakhstan), March 28 (IANS/RIA Novosti) The Russian state commission has approved the makeup of the main and back-up crews of a new expedition to the International Space Station. The mission will be launched Friday.
Kolkata, March 22 (IANS) Kazakhstan's Almaty will get an opportunity to taste exquiste Indian tea during its Nowruz celebrations as India's Tea Board is organising a two-day exhibition and tea tasting session for the general public of the central Asian city.
Greater Noida, March 17 (IANS) Uzbekistan's Muradian Khalmuratov shot to fame by winning gold in the 156.2 km men's elite race on the concluding day of the Hero Asian Cycling Championships here Sunday.
Moscow, March 17 (IANS/RIA Novosti) A Soyuz TMA-06M manned spacecraft touched down in Kazakhstan, ending a three-and-a-half hour voyage to bring three crew members from the International Space Station (ISS) to Earth after 142 days in orbit.
Washington, Mar. 16 (ANI): Three members of the Expedition 34 crew undocked from the International Space Station and returned safely to Earth on Friday, making a landing in Kazakhstan.
Moscow, March 16 (IANS/RIA Novosti) The lower house of the Russian parliament, the State Duma, has voted to terminate lawmaker Vladimir Pekhtin's mandate over allegations of unethical behaviour.
Greater Noida, March 15 (IANS) G. Manisha produced India's best performance in the road race competition of the Hero Asian Cycling Championships by finishing sixth in the 71km race at the Buddh International Circuit here Friday.
Moscow, March 15 (IANS/RIA Novosti) The first launch of Russia's new Soyuz-2.1V lightweight carrier rocket, scheduled for early 2013, has now been delayed until the second half of 2013, rocket-maker Progress said.
Greater Noida, March 14 (IANS) Uzbekistan's Muradian Halmuratov and Kazakh Daniil Fominykh won a gold each in the road races of the Hero Asian Cycling Championship being held here at the Buddh International Circuit Thursday.
New Delhi, March 8 (IANS) Deborah was in contention for another medal in the junior girls category while Jashnjeet Kaur missed out on a bronze on Day 2 of the Asian Cycling Championships here Friday.
New Delhi, March 7 (IANS) Tsunai survivor Deborah brought India's first medal in the Asian Cycling Championships by winning a bronze in the 500 metre time trial at the Indira Gandhi velodrome here Thursday.
New Delhi, Mar.5 (ANI): Foreign Ministers of India and Kazakhstan on Tuesday agreed to carry forward their bilateral civil nuclear cooperation beyond 2014.
New Delhi, Feb 28 (IANS) Iran has said it looks forward to a strategic and long-term partnership with India and that talks in New Delhi over payment for Iranian oil had yielded "good results".
Almaty (Kazakhstan), Feb 28 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Talks between Iran and six world powers being conducted over the former's disputed nuclear programme concluded here Wednesday without reaching any agreement. But the two sides pledged to hold further meetings in the coming weeks.
Astana, Feb 27 (IANS) China and Iran called for dialogue ahead of the new round of nuclear talks which began in Kazakhstan Tuesday.
Almaty (Kazakhstan), Feb.26 (ANI): Talks between the world's top five powers plus one - United States, France, China, Russia, the United Kingdom and Germany, or the P5+1 and Iran over its controversial nuclear programme opened today in the Kazakh city of Almaty.
London, Feb. 24 (ANI): Iran has said it has found major new uranium deposits and is planning to expand its nuclear power programme.
New Delhi, Feb 24 (IANS) Thirtysixth-ranked Oman men's team beat 70th-ranked Fiji 7-3 in a hard fought match on the seventh and last day of the Hockey World League Round 2 here Sunday.
Moscow, Feb 23 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Iran has found more uranium deposits and selected 16 new sites for nuclear power plants, the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran (AEOI) said Saturday.
Jodhpur, Feb 23 (IANS) Music lovers at the sixth edition of the World Sufi Spirit Festival (WSSF) were welcomed with a melodious performance of traditional, philosophical Central Asian music by bardic divas from Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.
Moscow, Feb 22 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Ukraine may jointly bid for the 2022 Winter Olympics with neighbours Poland and Slovakia, President Viktor Yanukovych said Friday.
New Delhi, Feb 21 (IANS) Fiji men and Kazakhstan women scored their first goals in the Hero Hockey World League Round 2 at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium here Thursday.
Sydney, Feb. 19 (ANI): Iran has said there will be a swift solution to the nuclear dispute if its nuclear rights are acknowledged by a group of six world powers.
New Delhi, Feb 18 (IANS) Hat-tricks from Rani Rampal and Jaspreet Kaur guided India to a convincing 8-0 win over lower ranked Kazakhstan in the women's Hockey World League Round 2 at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium here Monday.
Moscow, Feb 18 (IANS/EFE) Russian authorities estimate that the meteor that entered the Earth's atmosphere and exploded in the sky over the Ural Mountains region caused more than $30 million in damage.
Tehran, Feb 16 (AINS) Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Saturday said the Islamic republic does not intend to build nuclear weapons, reported Xinhua, citing Press TV.
More than 500 people, including 84 children, have been injured in a meteorite shower that rained down on three regions of Russia, and neighbouring country Kazakhstan on Friday.
Moscow, Feb 15 (IANS) More than 500 people, including 84 children, were injured when a meteorite shower rained down on three regions of Russia, and neighbouring Kazakhstan, officials said Friday.
New Delhi, Feb. 15 (ANI): Visiting French President Francois Hollande on Friday said that India could play a pivotal role in convincing Iran to enter a serious negotiation and abide by the international agreements of non-nuclear proliferation.
Moscow, Feb 15 (IANS/RIA Novosti) More than 150 people have sought medical help in one of three Russian regions hit by a meteorite shower Friday, the interior ministry reported.
Washington, Feb 15 (IANS) US Secretary of State John Kerry has urged Iran to make "real offers" and engage in a "real dialogue" in the upcoming nuclear talks with world powers.
Kolkata, Feb 14 (IANS) With an aim to rapidly increase trade with Eurasia, negotiations have started between India and Eurasian countries for a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA), an official said Thursday.
New Delhi, Feb 13 (IANS) Indian men's and women's team will play their opening matches against Fiji and Kazakhstan, respectively, in the Hero Hockey World League Round 2 to be held here from Feb 18.
Tehran, Feb 13 (IANS) Iran will not hold exclusive talks with the US on the sidelines of the upcoming nuclear negotiations with world powers in Kazakhstan, Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast has said.
