Religions: Muslim 47%, Russian Orthodox 44%, Protestant 2%, other
7%
Languages: Kazak (Qazaqz) official language spoken by over 40% of
population, Russian (language of interethnic communication) spoken
by two-thirds of population and used in everyday business
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1989 est.)
total population: 98%
male: 99%
female: 96%
Government —————
Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Kazakstan
conventional short form: Kazakstan
local long form: Qazaqstan Respublikasy
local short form: none
former: Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic
Data code: KZ
Type of government: republic
Capital: Almaty
Administrative divisions: 19 oblystar (singular - oblys) and 1
city (qalalar, singular - qala)*; Almaty Qalasy*, Almaty Oblysy,
Aqmola Oblysy, Aqtobe Oblysy, Atyrau Oblysy, Batys Qazaqstan Oblysy
(Oral), Kokshetau Oblysy, Mangghystau Oblysy (Aqtau), Ongtustik
Qazaqstan Oblysy (Shymkent), Pavlodar Oblysy, Qaraghandy Oblysy,
Qostanay Oblysy, Qyzylorda Oblysy, Semey Oblysy, Shyghys Qazaqstan
Oblysy (Oskemen; formerly Ust'-Kamenogorsk), Soltustik Qazaqstan
Oblysy (Petropavl), Taldyqorghan Oblysy, Torghay Oblysy, Zhambyl
Oblysy, Zhezqazghan Oblysy
note: names in parentheses are administrative centers when name
differs from oblys name
Independence: 16 December 1991 (from the Soviet Union)