Kazakhstan in Perspective: Orientation Guide and Kazakh Cultural Orientation: Geography, History, Economy, Security, Customs, Rural and Urban Life, Almaty, Astana, Caspian, Aral Sea, Khanate, Russian

These unique guides produced by the Department of Defense provide comprehensive information about all aspects of life in Kazakhstan, with a special emphasis on geography, history, the economy, society, security and military matters, religion, traditions, urban and rural life, ethnic groups, crime, the environment, government, holidays, gender issues and much more.

CHAPTER 1 * PROFILE * Introduction * Facts and Figures * CHAPTER 2 * GEOGRAPHY * Introduction * Location and Area * Geographical Regions and Features * Northern Steppes * Semi-Deserts and Deserts * The Caspian Depression * Mountains of the East and Southeast * Climate * Rivers * Bodies of Water * Caspian Sea * Aral Sea * Lake Balkhash * Other Major Lakes * Major Cities * Almaty (Alma-Ata) * Astana * Shymkent (Chimkent) * Qaraghandy (Karaganda) * Taraz (Zhambyl) * Atyrau * Environmental Issues * Nuclear Radiation * Pollution * Desertification * Natural Hazards * CHAPTER 3 * HISTORY * Introduction * Early History * The Saks (Scythians) * The Usun and the Huns * Turkic Tribes * The Mongol Empire * The Mongol Invasion * Mongol Rule * Decline * The Kazakhs * The Emergence of the Kazakhs * The Kazakh Khanate * The Three Hordes * The Decline of the Khanate * The Russian Empire * Russian Expansion into the Steppe * Annexation * Settlement * Growing Unrest and the Fall of Imperial Russia * The Soviet Era * Early Soviet Policy in the Steppe * Imprisonment, Exile, and Industry under Stalin * The "Virgin Lands" Campaign and Industrial Expansion * Kazakh Politics and Growing Nationalism * The Decline of the Soviet Union and the Emergence of an Independent Kazakhstan * The Independent Era * Development and Policy under Nazarbayev * Nazarbayev's Consolidation of Power * CHAPTER 4 * ECONOMY * Introduction * Energy * Oil * Natural Gas * Coal and Electricity * Industry and Natural Resources * Agriculture * Banking and Currency * Foreign Trade and Investment * Tourism * Transportation * Standard of Living * Outlook * CHAPTER 5 * SOCIETY * Introduction * Ethnic Groups * Languages * Religion * Traditions * Gender Issues * Cuisine * Traditional Dress * The Arts * Oral and Musical Tradition * Literature * Textiles and Jewelry * Sports and Recreation * CHAPTER 6 * SECURITY * Introduction * Military and National Security * Structure of the Armed Forces * Reform Efforts and Issues Affecting the Military * Defense Ties * U.S.-Kazakhstan Relations * Relations with Neighboring Countries * China * Kyrgyzstan * Russia * Turkmenistan * Uzbekistan * Water Security * Issues Affecting Stability * Terrorism * Religious Extremism * Ethnic Unrest * Corruption and Political Infighting * Outlook * CHAPTER 1 * COUNTRY PROFILE * Introduction * Area * Geographical Regions and Features * Northern Steppes * Semi-Deserts and Deserts * The Caspian Depression * Mountains of the East and Southeast * Climate * Bodies of Water * Rivers * Caspian Sea * Aral Sea * Lake Balkhash * Major Cities * Almaty (Alma-Ata) * Astana * Shymkent (Chimkent) * Atyrau * History * Ancient History * The Mongols * The Kazakhs * Russian Expansion * Russian Annexation and Settlement * Early Soviet Policy in the Steppe * The Soviet Era: Post-World War II * The Decline of the Soviet Union * Independent Kazakhstan * Economy * Industry * Agriculture * Trade and Foreign Investment * Government * Media * Ethnic Groups * Languages * CHAPTER 2 * RELIGION * Introduction * Folk Religion and Islam * Religion and the State * Religion and Daily Life * Religious Holidays * Orazai (Ramadan) * Uraza Bairam (Eid Al-Fidr) * Qurban Ait (Eid Al-Adha) * Mosque Etiquette * CHAPTER 3 * TRADITIONS * Introduction * Tribal and Clan Identity * Gender Roles and Relations * Traditional Economy * Greetings and Communication * Hospitality and Gift-giving * Eating and Drinking Habits * Tea and Bread * Meals * Cuisine * Dress Codes * Social Events