Kazakhstan Map

Kazakhstan

Historically, Kazakhstan has been inhabited by nomads since the Stone Age. The nomadic lifestyle of the natives went uninterrupted as kingdoms rose and fell until Genghis Khan's army swept through, and then twice when Russia conquered the land. Russia took over in 1803 and later in 1936.
Russia attempted to purge all nationalism and identity from Kazakhstan, banning native religions and language despite intense resistance. Beyond forced education and enforcing oppressive laws, the Soviet government was not well structured or planned and in 1932 to 1933 there was a mass famine. The famine reportedly killed 22% of the population, yet the death toll is estimated to be much higher. Kazakhstan gained independence when the USSR collapsed in 1991.
Kazakhstan is one of two landlocked countries that span two continents.