Kazakhstan is located in the center of Eurasian continent and ranked as the ninth largest country in the world — 2724.9 thousand km².
Kazakhstan is boarded by Russia to the east, north and north-west, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan to the south and China to the south-east.
Kazakhstan border runs along the Caspian Sea and Volga steppes, northward to the southern spurs of the Ural Mountains, further east along the West Siberian Plain to Altai. Eastward the border runs along the Tarbagatai and Dzungaria ridges, southward — along the Tien Shan Mountains and Turan Lowland to the Caspian Sea.
Total length of Kazakhstan borders is 12 187 km.
Topographical relief of Kazakhstan is diverse. 58% of the territory is occupied by deserts or semi-deserts, 10 % — by mountains. Steppes and forest steppes prevail in northern part of the republic. 23 % of the territory is suitable for agriculture, 70 % — for distant-pasture cattle rearing.
Pre-Urals Plateau is on the north-west. Western part of the country is occupied by Caspian Depression. South-westward there is Mangyshlak Peninsula. Ustyurt Plateau lies to the east. North-east of the Caspian Depression there are Mugodzhar Hills and Turgay Plateau. Kyzyl Kum desert and sand massifs Bolshie Barsuki, Malye Barsuki and Aral Karakum are near the Aral Sea.
Central part of Kazakhstan is occupied by Central Kazakh Uplands. Southern part is occupied by Betpak-Dala desert (Hungry Steppe), Moinkum is southwards, Balkhash Depression is eastwards. Ili Depression lies to the south.
Karagiye Trench on Mangyshlak Peninsula is the lowest point of Kazakhstan — 132 meters below world ocean level. The highest point is Khan Tengri peak — 7 010 m.
Climate of Kazakhstan is extremely continental, as Kazakhstan territory is far from the ocean and opened for west and north winds.
Winter in Kazakhstan is cold and long in the north and moderately soft in the south. Average January temperature differs from −18 C° in the north to −3 C° in the south. Summer is dry. It is warm in the north, в very warn in the center and hot in the south.
Precipitations are modest, except for mountain regions. Major part of Kazakhstan territory is characterized by strong winds, in some areas over 40 m/sec.
Located in the heart of Eurasia, Kazakhstan has always been the crossroads of commercial, cultural and scientific paths. Numerous travelers have passed through the territory of Kazakhstan in various directions, describing our land and developing world geography.
Kazakhstan Geographical Society is aimed at development of geography and ready to take into consideration both Kazakhstan and international projects of this direction.
First Kazakhstan Automobile Expedition to the South Pole shall be the first project of international importance, promoting international image of the Republic of Kazakhstan. This expedition should encourage out travellers and serve as an example of our ability to meet any challenges. Good luck to all modern geographers!
“First Kazakhstan Automobile Expedition to the South Pole” Download