Geographic coordinates: 43°16′N 76°53′E. Area: 2,724,900 sq km

Capital: Astana

Visas are required by all nationals referred to in the chart above except:
Nationals of Australia, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, the UK and the USA, who may travel to Kazakhstan without visas between 16 July 2015 and 31 December 2017 for stays of up to 15 days. For longer stays, you must obtain a visa from the embassy.

The ethnic Kazakhs represent 63.1% of the population and ethnic Russians 23.7%, with a rich array of other groups represented, including Tatars (1.3%), Ukrainians (2.1%), Uzbeks (2.8%) and others.

The official language is Kazakh, a Turkic language closely related to Uzbek, Kyrgyz, Turkmen and Turkish. The government has begun to replace the Russian Cyrillic alphabet with the Turkish version of the Roman alphabet. Meanwhile, the Cyrillic alphabet is in general use and most people in the cities can speak Russian, whereas country people tend to only speak Kazakh. English is usually spoken by those involved in tourism. Uygur and other regional languages and dialects are also spoken.

Summers in Kazakhstan are hot and winters are cold. Since Kazakhstan has a vast territory, weather can vary substantially in different parts of the country. For example when sowing season begins in the South, the North might still be covered with thick snow.
Average temperature in the coldest month of winter January is -18,7°С in the North and -1,5°С in the South. Because of dry weather and bright sun, which is common in most parts of Kazakhstan, temperature of -15°С might be felt like only -5° – 0°С in wet weather. Snowy winters are ideal for winter sports activities. Average temperature of the hottest month in summer - July – is +18,8°С in the North and +28,8°С in the South. August and September are perfect for trekking in the mountains of the East and South-East Kazakhstan. Kazakhstan is a sunny country, some regions enjoy the sun up to 330 days a year, and the sky here is almost always bright blue.

Most transactions are conducted on a cash-only, local currency basis. Major credit cards are only accepted at the main hotels and a few shops and restaurants. Local currency is Tenge. 370 tenge approximately 1 USD.

Good lunch or dinner at best restaurants costs from 15-30 USD. Transportation: Public buses 0.5 USD for any amount of stations. Taxi which is very commonly used and easiest way of getting to the places: 1 km- 0.5-1 USD. First aid in any hospitals 10-20 USD. Tips 10 % from the order in restaurants. Tickets to the theaters and cinemas 20 USD max

Basic medical services are available for tourists at local hospitals and clinics. Telecommunications services are also available from major hotels. Postal services are available at the Main Post Offices and in all hotels.

220 V AC, 50 ampere; standard two-pin plug socket

GMT + 05:00 - +06:00

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