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Information About Kazakhstan |
Capital: Astana
Official Language: Kazakh
Currency: Tenge
Kazakhstan extending over northern and central Eurasia is a vast scenically diverse region with snow capped peaks, lakes, glaciers, deserts and forests. Bordered by the Russian Federation to the northwest, Caspian Sea, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan to the southwest, Kyrgyzstan to the south and China to the southeast Kazakhstan is the ninth largest country in the world in terms of area. Kazakhstan abounds in rich natural treasures. Wide expanse of Steppe, sand massive of the Kara Kum, vast desert of Kizilkume and the majestic mountains of the Tian Shan and the Altai offer a panoramic view with innumerable lakes and rivers. Important lakes and rivers are the Aral Sea, Ili River, Irtysh River, Ishim River, Ural River, Lake Balkhash, and Lake Zaysan. The climate is continental, with hot summers and colder winters. So for the people who wish to submerge themselves in the wide expanse of remote terrains and undulating landscapes riding on long hypnotic trains Kazakhstan is the ideal place to be.
Major Cities in Kazakhstan
Astana is the capital city of Kazakhstan. Other major cities are Almaty, Karaganda, Shymkent (Chimkent), Semey (Semipalatinsk) and Turkestan. Astana located on the Ishim River in a semi desert steppe region in central Kazakhstan is a modern city with high rise complexes, coffee shops, bars and shopping malls. Modern Governmental Quarter, Ishim Banks, Astana Central National Mosque, Islamic Center, Roman Catholic Cathedral Market hall and Bayterek Tower are the chief tourist attractions of Astana. Almaty also known as the City of Apples, is a city of modern architecture, tree lined streets, fountains, parks and spectacular mountain views. Almaty Zoological Garden has a rich collection of endangered animals and animals like Tien Shan Bear, Striped Hyena, Kazakhstan's Ibex, Pink Pelican, Black Stork, Flamingo and Sea Eagle. 28 Panfilov's Guardsmen Park located just across the Otrar Hotel is a beautiful park with shady lanes and splendid flower beds. Glory Memorial with its Eternal Flame in honor of defenders of Motherland and the Memorial Lane are worth seeing here. Zenkov Cathedral is a place of stunning attraction for its wonderful wooden structure without including any nails. Known as one of the eight most unique wooden buildings in the world the cathedral contains beautiful wall paintings and interior decorations.
Tourist Attractions of Kazakhstan
Zaili Alatau Mountains near Almaty is a wonderful place offering varied tourist recreational activities from mountaineering to skiing. The Medeu Ice Rink is situated outside the city in a stunning gorge. The Tien Shan Mountains in the southeast of Kazakhstan, Inylchek Glacier and Mertzbakher Lake offers spellbinding natural beauty. The unique Lake Balkhash in central Kazakhstan is renowned for its ethereal beauty. Some archaeological sites like Bronze Age settlements can be viewed in the Karkarala Oasis . The Baikonur Cosmodrome, a few kilometer from the city of Leninsk is famous for its space launches. East Kazakhstan offers a picturesque landscape with snow-capped mountain peaks and cedar forests. There is the beautiful Lake Marakol. Other places of interests in the city include the Abai Kununbaev Museum and the History Museum. The town of Ust-Kamenogorsk is the gateway to the Altai Mountains. Rakhmanovski in the Altai Mountains is renowned for its cross-country skiing. Kazakhstan abounds in plentiful natural reserves. The nature reserve of Kurgaldjino in the north of Kazakhstan houses the beautiful pink flamingoes in the world, while another nature reserve, Naurzum, offers a rich landscape with pine strewn lakes, sand dunes, vast meadows, and rare animals like hisser swans and grave eagles. Aksu-Jabagli biosphere reserve in southern Kazakhstan, Barsa Kelmes in the north western Aral sea coast and Marakol in the southern foothills of Altai mountains are other popular natural reserves of Kazakhstan giving shelter to some of the endangered species of birds and animals in the world.
Getting Around Kazakhstan
Air Astana operates frequent domestic flights to Atyrau, Aktau, Aktobe, Astana, Karaganda, Kyzylorda, Oral, Oskemen, Semey, Shymkent, Zhezkazgon, Kostanay, Petropavlousk, Zyzylorda and Taraz. River trips can be taken in Semipalatinsk on the River Irtysh. Train service connects between all the main centers. But incidents of robberies in train are on the rise. It may be advisable for foreign visitors to travel by bus between cities. There are regular bus connections between all the main cities of Kazakhstan. The roads are well constructed except the remote areas and traffic drives on the right. Taxis are popular transports for touring local spots. There are car hiring facilities in Almaty, Astana and at the airports.
Accommodation in Kazakhstan
Innumerable hotels and resorts offer comfortable accommodation to the tourists visiting Kazakhstan. Many sanatoria holiday hotels and spa are found in areas of tourist interests. In addition to delectable foods, lodging, sauna massage the resorts offer unique excursion facilities. The most internationally renowned resorts include Sari Agach in the south, Mujaldi in the Pavlodar region, Arasan-Kapal in the Taldikorgan region, Jani-Kurgan in the Kzil-Orda region and Kokshetau and Zerenda in the Kokshetau region.
For further details and information on Kazakhstan and its tourist destinations browse more pages of Allwonderscountries
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