Republic of Kazakhstan: Regions and their features

The Republic of Kazakhstan is one of the most promising developing countries in Central Asia. It is located in the heart of the continent and occupies the 9th place in the world in terms of area. It is a country with a rich history, picturesque landscapes, an interesting culture and inexhaustible natural resources. List of regions of Kazakhstan and a description of each of them can be read further in the article.

Regions of Kazakhstan (briefly)

The country consists of 5 regions, each of which is unique in its own way.

1. Western - the largest in terms of area in the republic. It includes four areas. The total population is more than 2.1 million people. By area, the region covers an area of almost 730,000 square kilometers. Km.
2. The north is the main economic region. Here live twice as many people as in the Western (about 4.4 million people). It consists of four areas. The area of the region is more than 565 thousand square meters. Km.
3. Southern - a region with developed areas of agriculture and industry. By area, it is slightly inferior to the Western (712 thousand square kilometers.). But in terms of population, this region ranks first - more than 6.3 million people. The structure includes four areas.
4. Eastern - a region consisting of one area. Occupies a territory of 380 thousand square meters. Km. Here live almost 2.7 million people.
5. Central - a treasury of minerals. It consists of only one area, which is located on the territory of an area of slightly less than 320 thousand square meters. Km with a population of almost 2 million people.

North of Kazakhstan

It is divided into 4 regions: Kostanay, North Kazakhstan, Pavlodar, bordering Russia in the north, and Akmolinskaya, where the capital of the republic is located - Astana. He is the largest in the region. Also the largest cities are the centers of Kostanay, North Kazakhstan, Pavlodar and Akmola regions - Kostanay, Petropavlovsk, Pavlodar and Kokshetau, respectively.

North Kazakhstan can not be called a high water, like the whole country. Here there are 3 large rivers: Irtysh, Tobol and Ishim. On the shores of the latter is the capital. A small area in the center of the region is occupied by pine forests and hills. The main area is occupied by flat steppes: the Kazakh melkosopochnik, the West Siberian Plain and the Turgai Plateau.

Northern Kazakhstan is called the "breadbasket of the whole country", since here agriculture is more developed than in other regions. It is rich in minerals. It produces iron and copper ore, coal, gold, bauxite, asbestos, limestone, quartz sand and much more. Also in the region, machine building and the production of petroleum products are developed.

Kazakhstan has a sharply continental climate, in the north it is especially severe. But despite this, almost a quarter of the population of the country lives here and there are always a lot of tourists who want to visit the Naurzum reserve or the resort zones of Burabai and Bayanaul.

Eastern Kazakhstan

The region is represented by the East Kazakhstan region and borders with the Russian Federation in the north and the PRC in the east. The largest cities are the center of the Ust-Kamenogorsk region and the city of Semey.

The relief here is quite diverse. In addition to the plain steppes, the Kalbinsky mountain range, the Saur-Tarbagatai and Altai mountains are distinguished. It is here that Belukha is located - the highest mountain of Altai. Also you can find alpine meadows, forests and taiga.

Almost 40% of the country's water reserves are concentrated in this region. The largest river of the region is the Irtysh, where Bukhtarma, Ulba and Shulbinskaya hydroelectric power stations are located. However, this is not the only artery of the region. In addition to the Irtysh, several more large rivers flow here: Ulba, Bukhtarma, Char, Kurchum, Narym, Uba. Also in this region are large water bodies such as Zaisan, Markakol, Alakol and Sasykkol. In total there are 1200 rivers and 18 large lakes in the region.

East Kazakhstan is the most industrial region of the country. Stocks of lead, gold, silver, zinc, copper, titanium, magnesium and many other metals have no equal in the whole CIS. This is a feature of such a country as Kazakhstan. Regions of other countries can not boast of such a strong development of the extractive industry. There are more than 1000 processing enterprises. In the east of the country, agriculture is well developed, and Altai honey produced in East Kazakhstan is considered to be one of the best in the world.

Western Kazakhstan

This region is located in Central Asia and Eastern Europe, as here along the Ural Mountains and the northern coast of the Caspian Sea the border between two parts of the world - Asia and Europe - passes. This is the difference between Western Kazakhstan. Regions of which it consists: Aktobe, West Kazakhstan, Mangistau and Atyrau. In the north-west borders with Russia, and in the south - with Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. The largest cities (administrative centers) are Atyrau (Atyrau Oblast), Aktobe (Aktobe Oblast), Aktau (Mangistau Region), and Uralsk (West Kazakhstan Oblast).

In the west, this region is washed by the largest lake in the world - the Caspian Sea, and in the east by the Aral Sea. In addition, there are such large rivers as the Urals, Volga, Emba. In the relief plan, the region is represented by flat steppes, since it is located on the East European Plain. The Caspian Sea circumvents the Caspian lowland, on the east coast there are two peninsulas: Mangyshlak and Buzachi, smoothly passing into the plateau of Ustyurt.

In the Caspian region, the climate is milder, on the main territory of the region - sharply continental. The density of the population here is much lower than in other areas - only 3.4 people / km². This is the most Kazakh-speaking region of the country: the indigenous people here make up ¾ of the population.

West Kazakhstan is the largest gas and oil producing region of the country. Here are located one of the largest oil and gas fields: Tengiz, Karachaganak and Kashagan. In addition, the fish industry of Kazakhstan is quite well developed on the territory. Regions of other regions are not so well known for such fishing.

Central Kazakhstan

The region is represented by one of the largest in the country area - Karaganda, with an administrative center in the city of Karaganda.

The relief here is quite diverse: in the north - Kazakh melkosopochnik, in the southeast - Lake Balkhash, in the south - steppes and semi-deserts, mountains - Karkaraly, Kent, Ku, Ulytau. This is the shallowest region. The climate here is extremely arid.

Central Kazakhstan or Sary-Arka, as the inhabitants of the region call it, is famous for its coal mining. Here is one of the largest deposits - the Karaganda coal basin. Also in the region, machine building, livestock and metallurgy are developed.

South Kazakhstan

This is the most densely populated region of the republic. Borders with Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan in the south and with China in the east. It includes the following regions: Zhambyl, South Kazakhstan, Kyzylorda and Almaty. Here is the largest center of Kazakhstan - Almaty. Shymkent, Taldykorgan, Taraz and Kyzylorda can also be referred to large cities. In Kyzylorda region, the city is located with the world's first and largest cosmodrome Baikonur.

Water resources are unevenly distributed - mainly concentrated in the south. Here is Zhetysu - Seven Rivers Valley or Semirechye. In addition, the Issyk-Kul Lake is located in the south, as well as the mountain spur of the Dzhungar Alatau and many national reserves such as Aksu-Zhabaglinsky. On the border with China and Kyrgyzstan is Khan Tengri peak - one of the highest peaks of the Tien Shan. It is these attractions that attract tourists to Kazakhstan.

Regions of this part of the country, located in the north, consist largely of desert and steppe, in the south of the same land are more fertile, so there is a well developed agriculture. The development of agriculture is also facilitated by a much milder climate than in other areas.