Modern Almaty
The Facts about Kazakhstan (written by Douglas Parks)*
1. People will be surprised at just how large a country Kazakhstan is. It is the 9th largest in the world, as large as all of Western Europe, five times the size of France and four times the size of Texas. Another way to look at it is that it is 2 1/2 times as large as the rest of Central Asia combined. Their boarder with Russia alone is about 2,000 miles long!
2. Like the rest of the “Stans” it became an independent country in 1991 after the Soviet Union collapsed. Astana is the futuristic new capital. Almaty, which used to be the capital in Soviet times, is now the economic capital.
3. The country has 131 ethnicities. It is 63% Kazakh, 23% Russian, plus Uzbeks, Tajiks, and Turkmen. Freedom of religion is the law. It is 70% Islam (Sunni) and 26% Russian Orthodox Christianity.
4. It is by far the wealthiest country in Central Asia. It has huge oil and gas reserves. How big you ask? It is estimated that they have 100 billion barrels of oil under the Caspian Coast to the West. They also have gold, silver, zinc and are the largest uranium producer in the world.
5. Almaty, the economic hub, is a very cosmopolitan place with Russian Orthodox Cathedrals like the magnificent Zenkov Cathedral and some fine museums. This is the city where oil deals are made so it is the wealthiest city in the stans as well as the most hedonistic with its clubs and cafes.
6. The horse plays an important part in Kazakh nomadic culture throughout the centuries dating back 5,000 years and on the Steppes, a visitor is expected to inquire about the health of one’s livestock before inquiring about the family! This is the only country in Central Asia that serves horse on their menus and it is delicious. Lean and tender. Outstanding with some Republic of Georgian Saperavi, a fine dry red wine. You can also get Qazy there, which is smoked horse meat sausage which can be washed down with Shubat (fermented camel milk) or Kumys (Fermented mare’s milk). Of course there is good Tian Shansky beer or Vodka too in great supply!
7. Falcon and eagle hunting are still practiced and are a thrilling sight to watch in action.
8. History. Almaty was sacked by Ghengas Khan in 1211 as he began his conquests out of Mongolia and nearby China that lasted to 1225. The next most significant historical period was 1801 when the Russians invaded the country. After Stalin took power, there were many purges and Kazakhstan became a dumping ground. One in four Kazakhs starved to death during that period. In Seney, almost 500 underground nuclear tests took place here. Kazakhstan was also the home to the Russian Space Program. Since 1955, over 1700 satellites were launched from here.
9. After the collapse of the USSR, all the stans became desperate with the loss of jobs, health and education which was no longer free. It took these countries 10 years to recover.
10. Now Kazakhstan has the largest GDP in Central Asia. It has grown 30 times since independence in 1991. With all that oil and 20% of the world’s uranium as well as being he world’s 6th largest producer of wheat, the country has a bright future. They even have ski slopes and ice rinks in the mountains outside Almaty where many people escape during the summer heat to their alpine dachas. This region is one of the last undiscovered frontiers of travel.
- Doug Parks is a serious traveler, teacher and adventurer who has journeyed to 170 countries over the course of his life to this point, including trips to Europe, South America and Middle Asia with Pablo.