Population: 16,731,303 (July 2001 est.)

Languages: Kazakh (Qazaq, state language) 40%, Russian (official, used in everyday business) 66%

Background: Native Kazakhs, a mix of Turkic and Mongol nomadic tribes who migrated into the region in the 13th century, were rarely united as a single nation. The area was conquered by Russia in the 18th century and Kazakhstan became a Soviet Republic in 1936...

Currency: Kazakhstani Tenge (KZT, KZT (148.59 = US$1))

Data from CIA World Factbook. Click on CIA link for more. Click on map or flag for larger images.