Kazakhstan is a sovereign country in Central Asia, in the wider region of Asia. Treaties and official documents call it Republic of Kazakhstan. Government sits in Astana.
It is home to roughly 20.6 million people, placing it 64th of 250 by population — between Zambia above it and Chad below. Among the 5 entries in Central Asia it ranks 1st by area and 2nd by population.
The land area is 2,724,900 km², which ranks it 10th of the 250 countries and territories in this dataset — just behind Argentina and just ahead of Algeria. That makes it almost exactly the same size as Argentina.
Geography and neighbours of Kazakhstan
Its reference point sits at 48.0° north and 68.0° east, which puts it in the northern hemisphere, roughly 5,343 km from the equator, in what geographers would call temperate latitudes.
Countries on the same parallel, far away in longitude, include Mongolia, Ukraine and France.
Its land neighbours number 5: China, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. The largest of them by area is Russia, while the most populous is China. Together those neighbours hold about 1.60 billion people.
Kazakhstan is landlocked. That is true of 45 of the 250 entries here, and it means every shipment in or out has to cross someone else's border first. 3 of its neighbours, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, are landlocked too. You can see the full picture on the landlocked countries page.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Who lives in Kazakhstan
Spread across 2,724,900 km², that works out at about 7.6 people per square kilometre, which makes it very thinly populated. The median across all 250 entries here is about 90 per square kilometre.
The demonym is Kazakhstani, so residents are Kazakhstanis.
It recognises 2 languages: Kazakh and Russian. Kazakh is listed for no other entry in this dataset, which makes it effectively unique to Kazakhstan.
Against Asia as a whole it is the 25th most populous of 50 entries, and it accounts for 25% of everyone living in Central Asia.
Useful reference details
It uses the Kazakhstani tenge (₸, KZT). No other entry in this dataset uses it, so the currency is specific to Kazakhstan.
The top-level domain is .kz. The international dialling code is +7. In ISO terms it is kz in two letters and KAZ in three.
Astana is the seat of government and the answer most quizzes are looking for.
Kazakhstan is one of the 193 UN member states in this dataset. The other 57 entries are territories, dependencies or observers, which is why totals on this site run to 250 rather than the familiar 195.
Neighbouring countries
Kazakhstan shares borders with 5 countries:
Fun facts about Kazakhstan
- It is landlocked, one of 45 entries here with no coastline of its own.
- Its full official name is Republic of Kazakhstan.
- Population density works out at roughly 7.6 people per square kilometre.
- It lies about 5,343 km from the equator, in temperate latitudes.
- Within Central Asia it is the 1st largest of 5.
- In land area it is almost exactly the same size as Argentina.
- Kazakh is listed as an official language for no other entry in this dataset.
- Websites based there use the .kz domain.
Kazakhstan — frequently asked questions
- What is the capital of Kazakhstan?
- The capital of Kazakhstan is Astana.
- Is Kazakhstan landlocked?
- Yes. Kazakhstan has no sea coast, which makes it one of 45 landlocked entries in this dataset. Everything it imports or exports by sea has to cross a neighbour's territory first, and that transit dependency is a well-documented drag on trade costs.
- Which countries border Kazakhstan?
- Kazakhstan borders 5 countries: China, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. Russia is the largest of them by area.
- What currency does Kazakhstan use?
- Kazakhstan uses the Kazakhstani tenge, written ₸ (currency code KZT). No other entry in this dataset uses it.
- Is Kazakhstan a country?
- Yes. Kazakhstan is a sovereign state and one of the 193 UN members listed on this site.
- What language is spoken in Kazakhstan?
- Kazakhstan lists 2 official languages: Kazakh and Russian. Kazakh does not appear as an official language anywhere else in this dataset.
- Where is Kazakhstan located?
- Kazakhstan is in Central Asia, part of Asia. Its reference coordinates are 48.0° north and 68.0° east, roughly 5,343 km from the equator in temperate latitudes.
- How big is Kazakhstan?
- Kazakhstan covers 2,724,900 km², ranking 10th of 250 by land area. That makes it almost exactly the same size as Argentina.
- What is the population of Kazakhstan?
- Kazakhstan has a population of about 20.6 million, which makes it the 64th most populous of the 250 countries and territories listed on this site. Zambia sits just above it and Chad just below.
