COUNTRY PROFILE: KAZAKHSTAN
September 2005
COUNTRY
Formal Name: Republic of Kazakhstan (Qazaqstan Respublikasy).
Short Form: Kazakhstan.
Term for Citizen(s): Kazakhstani(s).
Capital: Astana (formerly Aqmola) became the official capital of Kazakhstan in 1998, succeeding Almaty (formerly Alma-Ata) and moving the national government from the far southeast to the industrial north.
Other Major Cities: Almaty, Karaganda, Öskemen, Pavlodar, Shymkent, and Taraz.
Independence: The recognized date of independence is December 16, 1991, when the Republic of Kazakhstan split from the Soviet Union.
Public Holidays: The national holiday is October 25, Republic Day. Other holidays are International Women’s Day (March 8), Novruz (spring equinox, March 21–22), Unification Day (May 1), Victory Day (May 9), Constitution Day (August 30), and Independence Day (December 16). Russian Orthodox citizens celebrate Christmas on January 7.
Flag: The flag has a sky-blue field with a golden sun and eagle in the center
and a vertical golden ornamental strip on the left side.