Agriculture in Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan is a vast, landlocked country in Central Asia. The ninth largest country in the world, it has an area of 2,724,900 square kilometers (1,053,100 square miles). Kazakhstan shares borders with Russia, China, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan. The capital of Kazakhstan is Astana, which was renamed Akmola in 1998.
Kazakhstan is a land of great steppes and towering mountains. The country's terrain extends west to east from the Caspian Sea to the Altai Mountains, and north to south from the Siberian taiga to the Kyzylkum Desert. The steppes, which cover 60% of Kazakhstan's territory, are grasslands that support a great variety of wildlife, including the critically endangered Saiga antelope. The mountains, which make up about 30% of the country, include some of the tallest in Central Asia, such as Peak Khan Tengri (7010 meters/23,000 feet).
Kazakhstan has a continental climate, with hot summers and cold winters. The country experiences a wide range of temperatures, from as low as -40 degrees Celsius (-40 degrees Fahrenheit) in the winter to as high as 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) in the summer.
Kazakhstan is home to a diverse population of more than 18 million people. The majority of the population is Kazakh, a Turkic people who make up about 63% of the total population. Other ethnic groups include Russians (23%), Uzbeks (2%), Ukrainians (1%), Tatars (1%), and Uighurs (1%). The official language of Kazakhstan is Kazakh, a Turkic language. Russian is also widely spoken, and is the language of education and business.
Kazakhstan is home to a great diversity of plant and animal life. The country's varied landscapes support a wide variety of habitats, from the arid steppes of the south to the alpine meadows of the Tien Shan mountains in the east.
Approximately 4,000 species of plants and 5,500 species of animals are found in Kazakhstan. The country is an important breeding ground for a number of migratory bird species and is home to several rare and endangered animals, including the argali (a type of mountain sheep), the saiga antelope, and the Siberian tiger.
Kazakhstan's landscapes are also home to a number of ancient species of plants and animals, including the horse, the camel, and the steppe eagle. These creatures have adapted to the harsh conditions of the country's climate and have come to play an important role in the Kazakh culture and economy.
Kazakhstan is a landlocked country in Central Asia, with an area of 2,724,900 square kilometers. The ninth largest country in the world by land area, it is also the world's largest landlocked country. Its territory extends more than 2,000 kilometers from west to east and 1,000 kilometers from north to south. Kazakhstan shares land borders with Russia, China, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan, and also has an extensive border with the Caspian Sea.
Kazakhstan's economy is the largest in Central Asia and ranked as the world's 116th largest economy by nominal GDP and 64th largest by purchasing power parity in 2020. The country is rich in natural resources, including oil, gas, coal, uranium, and gold. It also has a well-developed manufacturing sector, particularly in the automotive and aerospace industries.
Kazakhstan's economic growth has been strong in recent years, averaging 7.5% per year in the period from 2010 to 2019. This growth has been driven by a number of factors, including strong government investment, rising oil and gas production, and expanding manufacturing and agriculture sectors.
Despite this strong economic growth, Kazakhstan remains a relatively poor country. Nearly one-quarter of the population lives below the national poverty line, and unemployment remains relatively high at around 8%. Inequality is also a significant issue in Kazakhstan, with the top 10% of the population earning nearly 30 times more than the bottom 10%.
The government of Kazakhstan has been working to improve the country's business environment and attract foreign investment. These efforts have helped to make Kazakhstan one of the most attractive destinations for foreign direct investment (FDI) in Central Asia. In 2019, Kazakhstan received a record $23.6 billion in FDI, up from $22.1 billion the previous year. The majority of FDI has come from China, the United States, and Europe.
Kazakhstan is a member of a number of international organizations, including the United Nations, the World Trade Organization, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. The country is also a member of the Eurasian Economic Union, a regional economic bloc that includes Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Armenia. Kazakhstan's economy is expected to continue growing in the coming years. The government has set a goal of reaching $30,000 in per capita income by 2025. If achieved, this would make Kazakhstan one of the wealthier countries in the world.
Kazakhstan's agriculture sector is an important contributor to the country's economy, accounting for around 7% of GDP in 2016. The sector employs around 4% of the country's workforce and is a significant source of export earnings. Kazakhstan is a major producer of wheat, with around 15 million tonnes harvested in 2016/17. The country is also a significant producer of other grains such as barley, maize, and rye. the livestock sector is also an important part of Kazakhstan's agriculture, with around 21 million head of cattle, 8 million sheep and goats, and 3 million pigs in 2016. The country is a major producer of wool and meat and exports significant quantities of both products. Kazakhstan's agriculture sector is forecast to grow in the coming years, supported by government investment and increasing demand from both domestic and international markets.
Kazakhstan is home to a rich and diverse culture that has been shaped by the country's history and geography. Central Asia has long been a crossroads of different cultures, and Kazakhstan has been influenced by Turkic, Mongol, Russian, and Persian cultures. This can be seen in the country's architecture, music, and cuisine. Kazakhstan's capital, Astana, is a modern city that reflects the country's cosmopolitan culture. The city is home to many different ethnic groups, and you can find a variety of cuisines and architecture. The city also has a number of museums and galleries that showcase the country's rich history and culture.
If you want to experience the traditional culture of Kazakhstan, you can visit one of the many villages that dot the country. Here you will find a more traditional way of life, and you can see how the people of Kazakhstan live. You can also visit the country's nomadic people, who still live in yurts and move with their herds of animals. Kazakhstan is a great place to experience the outdoors. The country has a number of national parks and reserves, and you can find many activities to do in the great outdoors. Kazakhstan is also home to some of the world's tallest mountains, and you can go mountaineering, skiing, or hiking in the mountains.
If you are interested in the arts, Kazakhstan has a number of museums and galleries that showcase the country's rich cultural heritage. You can also find a number of theaters and opera houses in the country. Kazakhstan is a great place to learn about the history of Central Asia. The country was once part of the Soviet Union, and you can find a number of monuments and museums that commemorate the country's Soviet past. You can also learn about the history of the country's independence from the Soviet Union.
Kazakhstan is a secular country, and freedom of religion is guaranteed by the constitution. However, the government does give some preferential treatment to Islam, the traditional religion of the Kazakh people. Muslims make up about 70% of the population, and there are about 1,500 mosques in the country. Christians make up about 26% of the population, and there are both Orthodox and Catholic churches in Kazakhstan. There is also a small Jewish community.
The government has taken some steps to promote religious tolerance, such as hosting international conferences on the topic and training religious leaders in conflict resolution. However, there have been some reports of discrimination against religious minorities, and human rights groups have criticized the government for not doing more to protect their rights.