Kazakhstan explained to kids

Kazakhstan is a landlocked country in Central Asia. The ninth largest country in the world by landmass, it is bordered by Russia, China, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan. Its landscape is vast and varied, from the snowy mountains of the Tien Shan range to the dry deserts of the Mangystau region. The capital city of Astana is located in the north of the country, and is home to many of Kazakhstan's government buildings and embassies. The city was founded in 1830 as a Russian military fort, and was later renamed in 1961 to its present-day name, which means "capital" in Kazakh. Kazakhstan's economy is largely based on its abundant natural resources, such as oil, gas, and minerals. The country is also a major producer of grain and livestock. The official language of Kazakhstan is Kazakh, a Turkic language. Russian is also widely spoken, and is an official language in Kazakhstan. The population of Kazakhstan is made up of many different ethnic groups, including Kazakhs, Russians, Uzbeks, Ukrainians, Tatars, and Germans. Islam is the largest religion in Kazakhstan. Kazakhstan is a member of the United Nations, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.