KAZAKHSTAN

General Information

Government: Republic
Population: 17 million
Capital city: Astana (pop 1.2 million)
Languages: Kazakh, Russian
People: 46% Kazakh, 34.7% Russian, 4.9% Ukrainian, 3.1% German, 2.3% Uzbek, 1.9% Tatar.
Religion: 47% Muslim, 44% Russian Orthodox, 2% Protestant
Time: There are three time zones: GMT + 4 (Western Zone); GMT + 5 (Central Zone); GMT + 6 (Eastern/Main Zone); GMT + 6 hours (Almaty)

Electricity: 220V, 50 Hz, using European two-pin plugs
Weights & measures: Metric

With its shops, restaurants, hotels and casinos Almaty is the most cosmopolitan city of Kazakstan which is the most expensive one of the Central Asian countries. Recently, Almaty became a great marketplace for foreign traders, diplomats and investors by its progress in the access to the outside world.

As soon as Kazakhstan received its independence, diplomatic relations are established with more than 70 countries and the country turned into the powerful type of the world economy and therefore 105 countries of the world recognized this emerging country and United Nations Organization, UNESCO and other big international organizations accepted it. It has also taken part in Lisbon conference and signed a Convention of Council of Europe - UNESCO on recognition of qualifications, regarding the higher education

Language
Kazakh is the official language of the country, however almost everybody speaks Russian.

Money
Kazakstan has the most advanced banking system in Central Asia, credit card are used in common. US dollars are the easiest to exchange, Deutschmarks can also come in handy.

Currency
Kazakhstan money is called Tenge. 1 US dollar makes approximately 150 Tenge.

Phone calls
Alma-Ata 3272
Chimkent 325
Karaganda 3212
Guryev 312
Petropavlovsk 315
The hotel telephone calls may be expensive. Ask the reception at the Hotel for rates. Kazakhstan’s country code is 7. Almaty’s city code is 3272. If you want to call other cities here is the list.

Climate
The climate in Almaty is as peculiar as landscape.

Cuisine
Much Kazak food resembles that of the Middle East or the Mediterranean such as rice, seasonings, vegetables and legumes, yoghurt and meat is the basis of the majority of dishes. In the traditional Kazakh cuisine preference was always given to boiling. Exactly this process makes it possible to obtain soft and delicate gustatory shades of meat, adds juiciness and fragrance to it.