Fact 1: A Land of Apples
Did you know that Kazakhstan is the homeland of modern apples? That's right. The city of Almaty, formerly named 'Alma-Ata,' literally translates to 'father of apples.' The genetic ancestor of the modern apple tree, Malus sieversii, is still found growing wild throughout the mountains of Central Asia in southern Kazakhstan.
Fact 2: Ishuak, Riding on a Block of Ice
Introduced by nomadic tribes, Kazakhstan has a unique game named Ishuak, which involves riders sliding down a hill on a block of ice. It’s a traditional and beloved sport in the country, symbolizing courage and preparing young men for harsh winter battles.
Fact 3: World’s First Spaceport
The Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan launched the first manned spacecraft, making it the world's first and largest operational spaceport. Even today, the Russian government leases this spaceport for its space missions, including manned missions to the International Space Station.
Fact 4: Largest Landlocked Country
Kazakhstan is the world's largest landlocked country. It covers over 2.7 million square kilometers, which is larger than Western Europe. It also has a vast diversity in terms of landscapes, ranging from mountains to deserts and even some arable land.
Fact 5: Host for Various Religions and Ethnicities
Kazakhstan is a country with diverse ethnic groups and religions. Although around 70% of its population are Muslims, the constitution guarantees freedom of religion, and there's a great degree of religious diversity, with Christians making up a significant minority.
Fact 6: Kazakh is the Official Language
Although Russian is widely spoken in Kazakhstan, the official language is Kazakh. It's a Turkic language and shares many similarities with languages from neighboring countries, such as Kyrgyz and Uzbek.
Fact 7: Traditional Nomadic Lifestyle
Kazakhstan has a long history of nomadic lifestyle. Many customs, like the eagle hunting tradition and yurt dwelling, continue to this day and are deeply rooted in Kazakh culture. It's not uncommon to see modern Kazakhs setting yurts during their holidays or for special events.
Fact 8: Home to Tulips
Just like apples, Kazakhstan is also the original home of the beautiful tulips we see today. They still grow wild in the mountains of Kazakhstan, with unique and vibrant species that are different from their cultivated relatives.
Fact 9: Independence from the Soviet Union
Kazakhstan was the last of the Soviet republics to declare independence. It officially declared its independence from the Soviet Union on December 16, 1991.
Fact 10: Rich in Natural Resources
One of Kazakhstan's most significant strengths is its abundance of natural resources, such as uranium, oil, gold, and zinc. In fact, it is the world's largest producer of uranium.
Fact 11: Unique Kazakh Cuisine
Kazakhstan's traditional cuisine is primarily meat-based due to their nomadic heritage. The national dish, Beshbarmak, translates to "five fingers" because it's usually eaten with hands. Also, horse meat is popular throughout the country.
Fact 12: World’s Oldest and Largest Musical Instrument
Kazakhstan holds the title for the oldest and largest musical instrument in the world. The 'Tamga' petroglyphs in Southern Kazakhstan depict a harplike instrument, believed to be the ancient 'Kobyz.'
Fact 13: Changing Capitals
In 1997, the capital of Kazakhstan was moved from Almaty to Astana due to seismic risks. The name Astana was changed to Nur-Sultan in 2019 to honor former president Nursultan Nazarbayev.
Fact 14: Fourth Longest River in Asia
Kazakhstan hosts the fourth-longest river in Asia: the Irtysh. Running about 4,248 kilometers long, it's one of the two rivers in the world that runs through three countries - Kazakhstan, Russia, and even China!
Fact 15: The Largest Steppe Region is in Kazakhstan
Around a quarter of the steppe natural zone of the world is located in Kazakhstan, filled with high mountains, green meadows, and beautiful, unspoilt landscapes, making it the largest steppe region in the world.
Fact 16: Tallest Chimney in the World
The Ekibastuz GRES-2 Power Station located in Ekibastuz, Kazakhstan, has the tallest chimney in the world. Standing at a staggering 419.7 meters, it was built to release flue-gas stack emissions from the power station.
Fact 17: The “Oriental Venice”
A city in the west of Kazakhstan named Atyrau is famously referred to as the “Oriental Venice” due to the multiple streams and ponds spread across the city, highlighting an almost fairy-tale like town with its picturesque riverside views.
Fact 18: Arsenal of Bio Weapons During Soviet Era
During the Soviet era, Kazakhstan was used as the arsenal for some of the deadliest bio-weapons. The Stepnogorsk Scientific and Technical Institute was devoted to bioweapon development and was one of the largest biological weapons factories on earth.
Fact 19: Unique Golden Eagle Hunting Tradition
A unique feature about Kazakhstan is its tradition of training and hunting with golden eagles, a practice known as berkutchy. Hunters use female eagles for their larger size and greater aggression. These birds are considered as family members and are often used in festivals and hunting events.
Fact 20: The Melting Pot
Kazakhstan serves as a massive melting pot of over 100 different ethnic groups, resulting in an incredible mix of traditions and cultures. This has led to Kazakhstan having a very diverse and rich culture, making it a cultural hub in Central Asia.