Kazakhstan

Central Asia · landlocked countries · vast landscapes

Massive country. Kazakhstan is the ninth largest country in the world by land area, so huge that it spans from Eastern Europe all the way to China.

Two capitals. The country moved its capital from Almaty to Astana in 1997, making Astana the new center of government and power.

Caspian coastline. Even though Kazakhstan is landlocked (surrounded by land on most sides), it has a coast along the Caspian Sea, the world's largest lake.

Five neighbors. Kazakhstan borders five countries: Russia, China, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan, making it a crossroads of Central Asia.

Steppes and plains. Much of Kazakhstan is covered by vast grasslands called steppes, which are perfect for herding animals and have shaped the country's history for thousands of years.