Kazakshtan

Local name: Qazaqstan Respublikasy
Surface2,717,300 sq km (1,049,150 sq miles)
Population : 16.820.000 inhabitants
Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Round two-pin continental plugs are standard
Climate: Continental climate with cold winters and hot summers. Although Kazakhstan has some of the highest peaks in the CIS, the climate is fairly dry. The hottest month is July (August in mountain regions).
PASSPORTS: Valid passport required by all. - VISAS: Required by all except the following: nationals of CIS holding passports, and holders of valid passports issued by the former Soviet Union and registered in the CIS (except nationals of Turkmenistan who do need visas); nationals of Bulgaria, Cuba, Czech Republic, Hungary, Korea (Dem Rep), Poland, Romania, Slovak Republic, Vietnam for touristic purposes provided they are permanent residents of their country; nationals of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia (FYR), Serbia and Montenegro and Slovenia provided holding invitation letter and entering for business purposes; nationals of Mongolia for stays of up to three months; nationals of Iran and Turkey for a stay of up to one month.
Capital : : Astana (formerly called Akmola). Population: 313,000
System : Parliamentary Republic - Under the terms of the 1993 constitution, amended in 1995, the highest legislative body in Kazakhstan is the bicameral Kenges which is elected for a five-year term. The president of the republic, who is head of state and is also elected for a five-year term, holds executive power and appoints the prime minister and Council of Ministers.
Languages : Kazakh (Qazaqz), Russian
Religions : Mainly Sunni Muslim. There are Russian Orthodox and Jewish minorities.
Kazaksthan
Money : Tenge (T) = 100 tiyin. Notes are in denominations of T5000, 2000, 1000, 500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1, and 20, 10, 5, 3 and 1 tiyin. Coins are in denominations of T100, 50, 20, 10 and 1.
Phone code   + 7
Greenwich Time Eastern/Main Zone: GMT + 6 (GMT + 7 from 28 March to 26 October). Central Zone: GMT + 5 (GMT + 6 from 28 March to 26 October). Western Zone: GMT + 4 (GMT + 5 from 28 March to 26 October)