The World’s Largest Landlocked Country
Kazakhstan is the world’s ninth-largest country by area (2.72 million km², about the size of Western Europe) and the largest landlocked country. Despite this enormous size, the population is just 19.5 million — making it one of the world’s most sparsely populated countries. About 70% of the country is steppe (grassland that was the heartland of historical nomadic cultures, including the birthplace of the Kazakhs and centuries of Turkic horse peoples).
Kazakhstan is one of the world’s largest oil, uranium, and rare earth producers — sectors that have funded the transformation of Astana (purpose-built as the capital since 1997) into a city of futuristic architecture by Norman Foster and other international architects. The country has sought to diversify its economy and become a middle power in Eurasia, balancing relationships with Russia, China, the US, and the EU.
A Brief History
The Kazakh Khanate (1465-1847) was a nomadic confederation. Russian expansion in the 19th century brought Kazakhstan into the Russian Empire; Soviet rule 1920-1991. Independence in 1991 under Nursultan Nazarbayev, who ruled until 2019. The Baikonur Cosmodrome (from which Sputnik and Yuri Gagarin launched in 1957 and 1961) is in Kazakhstan.
Geography and Climate
Kazakhstan covers 2,724,900 km² — the world’s ninth-largest country. Terrain includes vast steppes, the Tien Shan and Altai mountains, deserts, and the Caspian and Aral seas.
Climate: continental, with hot summers and very cold winters.
Culture, Language and Religion
Kazakh (Turkic) and Russian (widely spoken) are both official. Religion: approximately 70% Muslim (mostly Sunni), 26% Russian Orthodox.
The Economy
Kazakhstan has an upper-middle-income economy (~$260 billion GDP in 2024). Oil and gas, uranium (world’s largest producer), minerals dominate.
UNESCO Sites
Kazakhstan has 6 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi, Tamgaly Rock Art, and the Silk Roads: Chang’an-Tianshan Corridor.
Travel Guide
Entry: Visa-free 30-90 days for EU, US, UK, Canada, Australia.
Best seasons: April-October.
Budget: Moderate — daily mid-range $60-$120.
Surprising Facts
- Kazakhstan is the world’s largest landlocked country (2.72 million km²).
- The Baikonur Cosmodrome — from which Sputnik and Yuri Gagarin launched — is in Kazakhstan, leased to Russia.
- Kazakhstan is the world’s largest uranium producer (about 40% of global output).
- Lake Balkhash is unique — half freshwater, half saltwater, separated by a narrow strait.
- The Aral Sea — historically the world’s fourth-largest lake — has shrunk to about 10% of its former size due to Soviet irrigation projects.
- Astana (formerly Nur-Sultan) has been Kazakhstan’s capital only since 1997; Almaty remains the largest city.
Sources and References
See the frontmatter for cited sources.