KAZAKHSTAN

Official name: Republic of Kazakhstan

Capital: Alma-Ata

Population: 17 million

Currency: Tenge

Official language: Kazakh

The second largest of the former Soviet republics, Kazakhstan extends almost 2,000 kilometres from the Caspian Sea in the wes to the Altai Mountains in the east and 1,300 kilometres north to south. Kazakhstan was the last Soviet republic to declare its independence, in 1991. It is min eral-rich and has considerable economic potential. Many Western companies are seeking to exploit its natural resources. CLIMATE

Kazakhstan has a continental climate with large temperature variations between summer and winter. Average January tempera tures drop to -1 8 degrees Celsius on the northern Kazakh steppe while the southern deserts reach 30 degrees Celsius in July. COMMUNICATIONS

Transport networks focus on the north and east, the key economic areas. Railways link into the Russian system and most inter-national flights go via Moscow. Extending the network and reducing dependence on Russia are priorities. TOURISM

Visitors are increasing but are still largely limited to business people. Of the Central Asian states Kazakhstan has cultivated the closest links with the West. PEOPLE

Population density: 6 people per square kilometre Urban/rural population split: 58 per cent/42 per cent Religious persuasion: Muslim (47 per cent), Other mainly Russian Orthodox and Lutheran (53 per cent) Ethnic make-up: Kazakh (40 per cent), Russian (38 per cent), Other (IO percent), German (6 per cent), Ukrainian (6 per cent) Kazakhstan's ethnic diversity is mainly a product of forced settlement during the Soviet era. Ethnic tension has been less than in many other former Soviet states as President Nazarbayev has encouraged a multi-ethnic nationalism. The country has a high birth rate but the proportion of under 1 5s in the population is falling. POLITICS

Kazakhstan is a multiparty democracy with the President having supreme executive power. The 1994 elections saw Kazakhs win 60 per cent of par liamentary seats WORLD AFFAIRS

Kazakhstan is a leading supporter of the CIS, as main taining close ties with other for mer Soviet republics is a priority. The country is also attracting for eign investment, particularly from South Korea. Relations with China are strained as China lays claim to parts of eastern Kazakhstan AID

Levels have risen since independence. It is mainly directed at supporting economic reform and providing know-how and training. The Government is seeking to link the dismantling of nuclear warheads to aid payments from the west DEFENCE

Defence spending last year was down 52 per cent on 1993 to $707 million. As the largest of the five Central Asian republics, Kazakhstan is seen as a poten flat guarantor of regional peace. But the West is concerned about former Soviet nuclear warheads based in the country. ECONOMICS

GNP: $1.8 billion GNP per capita: $2455 Balance of payments: deficit Inflation: 84 per cent Kazakhstan's currency is not convertible and consumer prices have risen steeply since 1991 Kazakhstan hopes to become self-sufficient by 2000. Strengths: Vast mineral resources, notably oil, gas, coal, gold, silver and uranium. Western investors attracted by early introduction of market reforms. Weaknesses: Collapse of former Soviet economic and trading system. Heavy reliance on imported consumer goods. Privatisation limited to small-scale enterprises. RESOURCES

Electricity generation: 81.3 billion kwh/year Oil production: 540,000 barrels/day. Massive new reserves confirmed Livestock: 34.2 million sheep and goats, 9.5 million cattle, 2.6 million pigs Mineral reserves: Oil, gas, manganese, gold, silver, coal, iron, tungsten, chromite Mining is the single most important industry in Kazakhstan. Some of the world's largest oil deposits are located near the Caspian Sea. It also has vast iron ore reserves, the world's biggest chromium mine and one of the biggest goldfields. ENVIRONMENT

There are no protected areas in Kazakhstan but Western pressure on the Government may change this. The Aral Sea has shrunk by 40 per cent because of river diversion for irrigation. MEDIA

Direct criticism of the president or the incitement of ethnic tension is not tolerated. There are six daily newspapers, a state-owned TV station and radio station. Satellite TV is available. CRIME

Crime levels are rising, particularly theft. Rural people are starting to grow drug crops to offset falling incomes. EDUCATION

Literacy rate: lower than ex-Soviet average. Education is based on the Soviet model with most teaching still in Russian despite the adoption of Kazakh as the state language HEALTH

Doctor/population ratio: 1 per 245 people There is no social security provision and the health system is limited in both facilities and coverage. Kazakhstan has the highest infant mortality rate in Central Asia. WEALTH

Living standards for many Kazakhs have declined since independence from the USSR. Unemployment has climbed, with the rural population worst affected. For every 1,000 people. 43 own a car and 116 a telephone.

Map:Kazakhstan