Five times the size of France and half the size of the United States (Area of 2,717,300 sq km / 1,049,150 sq miles), Kazakhstan is the second largest state in the Commonwealth of Independent States, and is bordered by the Russian Federation to the north and west, the Caspian Sea, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan to the south-west, Kyrgyzstan to the south and China to the south-east. 90% of the country is made up of steppe, the sand massives of the Kara Kum and the vast desert of Kizilkum, while in the south-east of the country the mountains of the Tien Shan and the Altai form a great natural frontier with tens of thousands of lakes and rivers. The Aral Sea and Lake Balkhash are the country's largest expanses of water.

Language: The official language is Kazakh, a Turkic language closely related to Uzbek, Kyrgyz, Turkmen and Turkish. The Government has undertaken to replace the Russian Cyrillic alphabet with the Turkish version of the Roman alphabet by 1995. Meanwhile the Cyrillic alphabet is in general use and most people in the cities can speak Russian, whereas country people tend to only speak Kazakh. English is usually spoken by those involved in tourism. Uygur and other regional languages and dialects are also spoken.

Religion: Mainly Sunni Muslim. There are Russian Orthodox and Jewish minorities. There are ten independent denominations of Christianity. The Kazakhs do not express their religious feelings fervently - Kazakhstan is an outlying district of the Muslim world and a meeting point of Russian, Chinese and Central Asian civilisations. Islam plays a minor role in policy and there are no significant Islamic political organisations in the country.

Time: GMT + 6 (GMT + 7 from last Sunday in March to Saturday before last Sunday in September).

Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Round 2-pin continental plugs are standard.

Communications: All possible modern comunication facilities are available in Almaty and many big towns in Kazkhstan. Post, Telephone and Telegraph are the main comunication abilities for countryside.
Telephone and Fax: You can call any country anywhere in the world from any hotel in Almaty or you can use a normal taxophone using a telephone card of Kazakhtelecom. Telephone and fax service is also available in the Main Telephone Office in Almaty or in Fax bureau. Several of private comunication companies also offer their service in many of big towns in Kazakhstan. Country code: + 7
Code of Almaty +7 3272).
Post mail: Full postal service is available any town (mainly by central post offices). Working hours: 8 a.m. 18 p.m. 5 days a week (saturday and sunday off). DHL worldwide, UPS express, PONY Express, EMS and other postal serices are available in Almaty and many of big towns.
E-Mail and Internet: E-mail is available in most of the big towns where there is a telephone line. You can use this line with your modem and computer with Internt Service Provider (ISP) Kazakhtelecom or others (nternet strech-cards are also available to buy) or you can visit many of Internet Cafes in Almaty or other big town (they are open mainly 24 hours a day).

Health care: There is a large network of hospitals, emergency centres and pharmacies. The largest include the Central Hospital, the Maternity and Childhood Institute Clinic and the Medical Teaching Institute Clinic in Almaty, and the Spinal Centre and Hospital of Rehabilitation Treatment in Karaganda. If a tourist falls ill whilst in Kazakhstan, emergency treatment is available at any public medical institution free of charge. However, medical insurance is strongly recommended.

All water sourses should be regarded as being a potential health risk. Water used for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice should have first been boiled or otherwise sterilised. Bottled water is also available in towns. Milk is pasteurised and dairy products are safe for consumption. You should eat only well-cooked meat and fish, preferably served hot. Pork, salad and mayonnaise may carry increased risk. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled.

Rabies disease is present. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten abroad seek medical advice without delay.