Kazakhstan is a very strange country, really.
On the one hand, it is domestic to the foremost Westernized city in Asia, Almaty, whose occupants are exceptionally European-minded.
Additionally, it also has a few of the foremost striking mountain view you may ever see, but it too has thousands and thousands of square miles of completely nothing but steppe.
Conversely, this nation abundant in oil also boasts some of the most peculiar locations on the planet, such as a historic site of nuclear tests, a sea suffering from drought, the Russian space center, and an incredibly expansive grassland featuring rare 2-humped camels.
Kazakhstan is an astounding off the beaten track goal which you cannot miss.
Capital: Astana
Population: 18.3 million (62nd).
Languages: Kazakh (a Turkic language) but Russian is widely spoken.
Area: 2,724,900km² (9th largest country)
Most nationalities can get a free 30-day visa on arrival at any entry point.
You can find three global airports in the region: Almaty, Astana, and Shymkent, but most people will likely land in Almaty.
When it comes to journeying by land, the simplest and most frequent entryways are Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan. Before the conflict, Russia was also straightforward to enter. Provided you possess a visa for China or Turkmenistan, making your way across there should be straightforward as well.
The official money is the Kazakhstani Tenge, with 1 USD equaling 450 KZT. While ATMs are available in major cities, the majority of Kazakhstan operates on a cash basis, meaning it's advisable to carry money beyond the cities of Almaty and Astana.
Budget: starting at $25 a day for budget backpackers.
