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    Map of Kazakhstan
    Map of Kazakhstan

    Kazakhstan is the world's ninth-largest country. Situated in Central Asia, its lands have been inhabited and conquered by various nomadic tribes and empires, including the ancient Scythians, the Mongol Empire, and the Kazakh Khanate, which was established in the mid-15th century. Modern Kazakhstan was eventually incorporated into the Russian Empire in the 18th century, and later became part of the Soviet Union in 1920, before gaining independence in 1991. Throughout its history, Kazakhstan has been home to notable figures such as Al-Farabi, an influential philosopher and scientist of the 9th-10th centuries; Abay Kunanbayev, a revered 19th-century poet and philosopher; and Nursultan Nazarbayev, the country's first President who served from 1991 to 2019, and played a crucial role in shaping the nation's political landscape.

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    The regions of Kazakhstan

    Kazakhstan is divided into 14 regions (known as "oblys" in Kazakh) and three cities of national significance:

    1. Akmola Region
    2. Aktobe Region
    3. Almaty Region
    4. Atyrau Region
    5. East Kazakhstan Region
    6. Jambyl Region
    7. Karaganda Region
    8. Kostanay Region
    9. Kyzylorda Region
    10. Mangystau Region
    11. North Kazakhstan Region
    12. Pavlodar Region
    13. West Kazakhstan Region
    14. Turkestan Region (renamed from South Kazakhstan Region)

    Cities of national significance:

    1. Almaty
    2. Nur-Sultan (formerly Astana, and before that, Akmola)
    3. Shymkent

    Kazakhstan history

    See:

    • Kazakhstan history

    Kazakhstan geography

    See:

    • Kazakhstan geography

    Researching family history in Kazakhstan

    See also:

    Kazakhstan ethnicity

    Kazakh couple in traditional costume
    Kazakh couple in traditional costume

    Kazakhstan is a diverse nation, boasting a rich tapestry of ethnicities that contribute to its unique cultural landscape. The majority of the population consists of ethnic Kazakhs, who account for most of the country's inhabitants. Other significant ethnic groups include Russians, Uzbeks, Ukrainians, Tatars, and Uighurs, each adding their own distinct customs, languages, and traditions. This remarkable blend of ethnicities reflects the country's complex history, geographic location, and its legacy as a crossroads of trade and migration on the ancient Silk Road, making Kazakhstan a vibrant and multicultural society.

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    Kazakhstan surnames

    Kazakh surnames are an essential aspect of researching family history, as they often reflect a person's lineage, occupation, or geographical origin, offering valuable insights into their ancestors' lives and social standing. Due to the multicultural and multiethnic composition of Kazakhstan, there is a diverse range of surnames found within the country. Examples of Kazakh surnames include "Abishev," which means "son of Abis," indicating that an ancestor may have been named Abis.

    Examples of different Kazakh surnames:

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    References

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