Kazakhstan is situated in the very heart of Eurasia.
Throughout centuries, the country has been the major bridge between Europe and Asia and has been influenced greatly by various external and internal forces.
This has resulted in the country’s unique identity.
Kazakhstan tries to be keeping up with the times, but still the main attraction of the country remains the Great Steppe, a silent witness of epochal events, which is included into UNESCO World Heritage List.
Geographically, the country is situated in Central Asia and Eastern Europe.
Kazakhstan is the world's largest landlocked country and the ninth largest by land area. Kazakhstan boasts diverse landscapes, including vast steppes, deserts, mountains, and the world's second-largest non-drying saline lake, Lake Balkhash.
The Caspian Sea, the world's largest inland body of water, lies to the west.
The Aral Sea, located in Central Asia between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, had been the world’s forth greatest lake until the 1970s, when the two main rivers that feed the Aral Sea, the Amu Darya and the Syr Darya, were heavily diverted for irrigation purposes to support agriculture.
The Kazakh steppe, or the Great Steppe of Saryarka (from the Kazakh "Yellow Ridge") stretches for more than 2,200 km and occupies the territories of seven regions, which makes up 26% of the entire territory of Kazakhstan. It is one of the largest steppe regions on Earth, covering an area of more than 800 thousand square kilometers.
Southern Kazakhstan is characterized by diverse landscapes, including snow-covered Tien Shan mountains, tectonic lakes and deserts with canyons. Notable cities of the region are Almaty, Shymkent, Turkestan, Taraz, Kyzyl-Orda.
The world’s highest mountain skating rink and sports complex Medeo are situated near Almaty. Turkestan, famous for the Mausoleum of thinker, mystic poet and religious preacher, founder of the Turkic branch of Sufism Khoja Ahmed Yasawi, attracts visitors interested in history and architecture.
Ruins of ancient cities which flourished in the Silk Way era are situated in the region. Ancient Farab, later known as Otrar, is the birthplace of the great philosopher and scientist Al Farabi. In 1219, the inhabitants of Otrar refused to surrender to Genghis Khan's troops and held a heroic defense for seven months. For this, the commander burned the city.
Chronicles claim that the largest collection of books of that time was located in the city, which burned down during a fire. The Otrar Library was the second most important after the Alexandrian one. Scientists believe that the library was not completely destroyed, and hope to find it.
- Singing DuneEastern Kazakhstan is home to astonishing natural attractions. The Altyn-Emel State National Natural Park, located in the center of the historical subregion of Jetysu, or Seven Rivers in Kazakh, between the Ili river and the mountains of Dzhungarian Alatau, has been awarded the international status of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve under the Man and the Biosphere Programme.The main attraction of the Altyn-Emel Park is the Singing Dune, which is 3 km long and 150 m high. When dry sand moves, the grains of sand rub against each other, which produces a lingering, loud sound, similar to low singing. Such a rare natural phenomenon has been noted in only a few places in the world. The sound of the Singing Dune is reminiscent of low throat singing, the low sound of an organ or the rumble of a jet aircraft, which is heard for several kilometers around.
- Charyn CanyonThe natural landmark, a part of the Charyn National Park, is located 195 km south of Almaty, near the border with China. The rocks of the original shape stretch for 154 km along the Charyn River. Over hundreds of thousands of years, meltwater and wind have transformed the lake into a canyon resembling the landscape of an alien civilization. The depth of the canyon in different places reaches 150-300 m. Deposits of different geological periods are visible on the exposed strata of the canyon. Remains of extinct mastodons, elephants, and rhinoceroses are sometimes found on the cliffs of the canyon.
- Medeo ComplexA high-altitude sports complex located in the mountainous tract of Medeu at an altitude of 1,691 meters above sea level, Medeo is the world's largest alpine complex for winter sports with the largest area of an artificial ice field — 10.5 thousand m2. Medeo is the leader in the number of world records set in speed skating.
Northern Kazakhstan is a land of forests, rivers and pristine lakes, rich flora and fauna. There are several natural parks and reserves there, including famous Naurzum National Nature Reserve, a protected area in the Kostanai Region. It covers an area of around 191,000 hectares and was established in 1931 to protect the region’s unique flora and fauna. This area’s uniqueness lies in the combination of four types of landscape - forest, steppe, wetlands, and semi-desert - in a single place. Despite this geographical contrast, all four zones are located next to each other.
The unique attraction of the reserve is the relict Naurzum forest, which grew up at the bottom of the former Turan Sea. Today the forest dating back to the Pleistocene covers the area of 16 000 hectares. Some trees in the forest are 220 years old and one person alone cannot grasp the trunk of such a tree. The forest is famous for its ferns, which normally grow only in the taiga or in the tropics.
The major cities of northern Kazakhstan are Kokshetau, Kostanay, Pavlodar, Petropavl and the capital city Astana.
- Lake BorovoyeLake Borovoye is a natural reservoir belonging to the group of Kokshetau lakes in the north of Kazakhstan. The lake is located in the Akmola region, it occupies the eastern part of the Kokshetau upland. The reservoir belongs to the territory of the Burabai National Natural Park. Geographically, Burabai is a low mountainous area with hills, lakes and forests of rare beauty. The name of the area, according to legend, came from the word "bura" which signified a sacred animal that protected people from danger. When its enemies mortally wounded him, it turned into a mountain with two peaks that resemble his humps.
- Place for evacuationBurabai is a resort, the healing power of the area has been known for more than a century. During the Second World War, the elite of Soviet science - a total of 160 academics with their families – were evacuated to Burabai. Academician Vernadsky completed his work "The chemical structure of the Earth's Biosphere and its environment" in Burabai. Despite the difficult wartime, academics received everything they needed for their work. Special trains delivered books, scientific papers and regular publications.
- TselinaNorthern Kazakhstan was greatly influenced by the Tselina campaign, initiated by the Soviet government under Nikita Khrushchev's leadership in the late 1950s. It aimed to address food shortages in the Soviet Union by cultivating the vast expanses of uncultivated steppe land in Kazakhstan, Siberia, and other regions. The Tselina campaign contributed to increased agricultural production and food output, growth of new settlements, towns, and industries in the region, stimulating economic development and urbanization. At the same time the influx of settlers and workers from other parts of the Soviet Union, along with the displacement of indigenous nomadic communities, altered the demographic and ethnic composition of the region.
Western Kazakhstan is at the same time the main earner region because almost all oil of the country is produced there, and at the same time the place with landmarks and otherworldly landscapes that attract numerous tourists and travelers. The major cities of western Kazakhstan are Aktau, Atyrau, Aktobe and Oral.
The Caspian Sea, the largest enclosed inland body of water on Earth by area, often referred to as the world's largest lake, is rich in natural resources such as oil and natural gas. The region is home to several major oil and gas fields, including the Tengiz and Kashagan fields, which are among the largest in the world. The Caspian Sea supports a diverse array of aquatic life, with fish species such as sturgeon, salmon, and carp. Sturgeon, in particular, is famous for its valuable roe, which harvested to produce caviar.
- BozzhyraBozzhyra, a protected natural park situated on the western edge of the Ustyurt plateau, is a land of colossal cliffs and standalone mountain islands made of limestone. This cosmic-like landscape was once part of the bottom of the ancient Tethys Ocean that covered the area millions of years ago.
- Valley of the BallsAn absolutely amazing place of Western Kazakhstan is Valley of the balls. it is a unique natural phenomenon characterized by its distinctive rock formations, which resemble large spherical concretions or "balls" scattered across the landscape. The concretions vary in size, with some reaching several meters in diameter. They typically have a smooth and rounded appearance, resembling giant stone balls scattered across the desert landscape.
- Underground mosquesUnderground mosques dating back several centuries are another unique architectural and historical sites of western Kazakhstan. Nowhere else on the territory of the country such architectural structures could be found. The mosques keep mysteries that have not been solved yet. In the Middle Ages of our era they became the home of the first preachers of Islam.
Eastern Kazakhstan is characterized by diverse landscapes, including mountain ranges, steppes, and forests. The Altai Mountains, part of the greater Altai Range, extend into Eastern Kazakhstan, offering picturesque scenery. The region is bordered by Russia, China and Mongolia.
The beauty of nature of Eastern Kazakhstan is not inferior to Switzerland. The region is famous for its amazing landscapes and excellent resorts. There is situated lake Alakol with its healing water and therapeutic mud. During soviet time Alakol used to be the place where astronauts were recovering after their space voyages.
Belukha mountain, or Muztau (Ice Mountain) in Kazakh, located in the region, is the highest point of Altai and Siberia. Its height is 4509 meters. It has a sacred meaning as a "place of power". Muztau is considered to be the center of Eurasia as a place equidistant from three oceans - the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian.
The major cities of western Kazakhstan are Oskemen, Semey, Ridder.
- Stronger than deathEastern Kazakhstan has got lots of historical sites. It is the motherland of prominent Kazakh poet Abay and famous writer Mukhtar Auezov. It is the place of exile of the famous Russian writer Fyodor Dostoevsky. Monument named “Stronger than death”, installed in the memory of all victims of the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site, located in the region, serves as a reminder of the place where a total of 777 total nuclear explosions were carried out from 1949 to 1989.
- Shilikty ValleyIn the scientific world eastern Kazakhstan is widely known because of the Shilikty Valley. The main attraction of the Shilikty Valley is more than 200 mounds of the early Saka era, including 50 "royal" mounds, with a diameter of up to 100 m at a height of 8-10 m. About 120 mounds are concentrated in the center of the valley.
- Golden ManOne of the main archaeological finds is considered to be the Golden Man discovered here, the third in Kazakhstan. The first one was found in 1970, 50 kilometers from Alma-Ata in the Issyk mound. The second Golden Man was discovered during the excavation of the Araltobe mound in the Atyrau steppes. The excavations at the Shilikty necropolis are among the outstanding discoveries of recent years. It is believed that it was here, in the Shilikty valley, that the great culture of the Saks originated and the so-called "animal" style was developed.
Central Kazakhstan is located in the very center of the Eurasian continent, almost equidistant from the Arctic and Indian, Atlantic and Pacific oceans.
Central Kazakhstan occupies the most elevated part of the Great Steppe - Saryarka. This is the heart of Kazakhstan; its area is almost four hundred thousand square kilometers. The flattest part of the republic, similar in territory to countries such as Great Britain or Italy, has a sharply continental climate. In winter, the temperature reaches 45-50 degrees below zero, and in summer it is 40-45 degrees Celsius.
Central Kazakhstan is one of the most water-poor regions of the country, which does not have large rivers. At the same time, Saryarka is a land of minerals. There is coal, iron ore, copper, manganese, gold, silver, oil, etc.
One of the largest lakes in the world, Balkhash, is located on the southeastern outskirts of Saryarka. The only lake on the planet with water of different composition: its western part is freshwater, and the eastern part is salty. The waters of the lake do not mix. Until now, scientists cannot explain the geographical paradox of the appearance of a semi-freshwater drainless reservoir among the steppes, in an area of dry climate and low precipitation.
- Pink flamingosKarkaraly, located in Central Kazakhstan, is an amazing mountain and forest oasis in the middle of the great steppe. The Karkaraly National Nature Park consists of the vast Karkaraly Mountains and the Kentish Massif, with dense coniferous and deciduous forests. There are several mountain peaks over 1000 meters high. In the enclave of this park there is a Bronze Age Kent settlement with the ruins of a Buddhist temple. The Korgalzhyn Nature Reserve is located in the same region, which is known for its lakes, on the shores of which birds migrating from Africa and Europe nest. Pink flamingos nest on one of them, Lake Tengiz, for almost six months each year. Birds are attracted here by algae and red crustaceans, thanks to which their feathers gain a beautiful pink color.
- The Terekty-Aulie tract of UlytauUlytau region, located in central Kazakhstan, has been considered the sacred treasury of Saryarka since ancient times. Ulytau is the quintessence of the civilization of ancient nomadic tribes. This is a region of mausoleums, rock paintings, unique caves, remains of ancient cities. Kazakh culture was born here, and many historical events began counting down. This land bore such outstanding personalities as Jochi Khan (son of Genghis Khan), Tamerlane, Edyge Khan, Alkey Margulan, Shokan Ualikhanov, Kanysh Satpayev, etc. The Terekty-Aulie tract of Ulytau is a collection of rock paintings, ancient graves and legends. There is also the Mausoleum of Jochi Khan, an architectural monument of the 13th century, in which, according to legend, the eldest son of Genghis Khan, Jochi, is buried. The first information about the monument in written sources dates back to the XVI century.
- The Baikonur CosmodromeThe Baikonur Cosmodrome, located in central Kazakhstan, is one of the world's oldest and largest space launch facilities. It played a crucial role in the early days of space exploration, serving as the launch site for Yuri Gagarin, the first human in space. The first Soviet manned spacecraft Vostok and Voskhod were launched from the Baikonur cosmodrome, as well as automatic interplanetary stations Luna, Mars, Venus, Vega-1 and Vega-2, various satellites, Salyut space stations, modules of the orbital manned spacecraft were launched into space, the Mir complex and the International Space Station. Over the past years, very important scientific and technical programs have been implemented at the Baikonur complex. More than 1,200 spacecraft and 100 interplanetary ballistic missiles have been launched from the cosmodrome.
The population of Kazakhstan is over 20 million people
As of January 1, 2025, the population of Kazakhstan amounted to more than 20.3 million people, of which 8.7 million (42.8%) were under the age of 25, 9.7 million (48.0%) were aged 25 to 65, and 1.9 million (9.2%) were over the age of 65. The total fertility rate was 2.80 in 2024.
The average life expectancy was 75.09 years. There is an increase in the proportion of young people in the population structure. The average age of the country's citizens is 32 years. The share of young people is about 30%.
More than 60 percent of the citizens of Kazakhstan are urban residents.
Kazakhstan is a state with a multiethnic population. Until the very beginning of the 20th century, Kazakhs absolutely dominated the population of Kazakhstan. At the beginning of the twentieth century, as a result of Stolypin's resettlement policy, Kazakhstan experienced a significant increase in the Russian-Ukrainian population. By 1911, the proportion of Kazakhs had decreased to 67.2% of the population. The collectivization campaign and drought in the 1930s caused severe famine, which led to a sharp decline in the indigenous population. Some of the rich Kazakhs went with their herds to China and neighboring Central Asian republics and Russia. The titular nation was a minority for a long time; this situation began in the 30s not only as a result of large losses of the Kazakh population, but primarily due to the resettlement of several million people to the territory of Kazakhstan from other republics of the USSR.
In total, more than 100 ethnic groups live in the republic, including Russians, Ukrainians, Uzbeks, Tatars, Germans, Uighurs and other nationalities.
There are three million-plus cities in Kazakhstan: Almaty (2,286,328 people), Astana (1,520,756 people) and Shymkent (1,253,280 people). Among the regions, more than a million inhabitants number Turkestan (2,154,304 people), Almaty (1,557,932 people), Zhambyl (1,222,411 people) and Karaganda (1,134,002 people) regions.
1 million 140.7 thousand ethnic Kazakhs have returned to the republic since 1991.
In terms of population Kazakhstan ranks 62nd in the world. The population density in Kazakhstan is one of the lowest in the world — 7.5 people per square kilometer. The highest density is observed in the city of Almaty — 3131 people per square kilometer, the lowest in the Ulytau region — 1.25 people per square kilometer.
In the period from 1935 to 1940, there were constant deportations of Poles from Western Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania. During the Second World War, Germans were forcibly resettled to Kazakhstan from the Volga region, Chechens, Ingush and other peoples were resettled from the Caucasus. In the 1950s and 1960s, more than a million residents of Russia, Ukraine and Belarus moved to Kazakhstan in connection with the development of virgin lands. The number of Tatars, Belarusians, Uighurs, Koreans and others also increased significantly between 1926 and 1989. Uzbeks have retained their rather significant representation. As a result, the proportion of Kazakhs, who made up 57.1% of the total population of the republic in 1926, decreased in 1939 to 38%, and in 1959 did not exceed 30%. Only in the 1990s did the proportion of Kazakhs exceed the 50% mark.
In 1989-1999, the number of the absolute majority of the peoples of Kazakhstan decreased significantly. But currently the situation is improving and there is a slight increase in the number of some peoples (Koreans, Chechens, Kyrgyz, etc.), as well as a noticeable decrease in the rate of decline for other peoples (Tatars, Germans, Russians, etc.). According to the data of the population census of Kazakhstan in 2021, the main ethnic groups are: Kazakhs (70.4% of the population), Russians (15.6%), Uzbeks (3.2%), Ukrainians (2%), Uighurs (1.5%), Germans (1%), Tatars (1%) and others.
On March 1, 1995, the Assembly of the Peoples of Kazakhstan was established in Kazakhstan as a consultative and advisory body under the President of the country, which is entrusted with the task of forming a Kazakh model of interethnic harmony. The Assembly has a constitutional status and has the right to delegate its representatives to the Parliament of Kazakhstan according to the established quota. 40 Friendship Houses are multifunctional resource centers of the Assembly of Peoples of Kazakhstan.
Kazakhs are Sunni Muslims. The spread of Islam in the territory of modern Kazakhstan was a process that lasted for several centuries. At first, Islam penetrated into the southern regions. Christianity successfully competed with Islam in some areas. The spread of Islam was slowed down by the Mongol conquest, which brought new groups of the population (Turks and Mongols) with their traditional religion to Central Asia and Kazakhstan. The purposeful propaganda of Islam among nomads in the Middle Ages began under the Golden Horde Khan Berk and intensified under the Uzbek (1312-40). A great contribution to the spread of Islam among the nomadic Turkic population of Southern Kazakhstan was made by the founder of the Yasavia Sufi order, a native of the city of Sairam (Isfijaba), Khoja Akhmet Yasawi. The mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi, located in the city of Turkestan, is considered the second Mecca for Muslims.
The most traditional religions for the local population are Sunni Islam and Russian Orthodox Christianity, which account for almost 60% of all religious associations registered in the Republic and the dominant number of believers. In 1990, the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Kazakhstan was established in the Republic. A Congress of leaders of world and traditional Religions is regularly held in Kazakhstan. The Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions is held once every three years in Astana. The Congress attempts to foster mutual recognition among religious leaders and facilitate their constructive cooperation in addressing social, cultural, and religious issues. The Congress is regularly attended by representatives of the clergy from Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, Shintoism, Taoism, and other traditional religions.
- Hazret Sultan National Mosque
- Holy Ascension Cathedral
- Beit Rachel Chabad Lubavitch Synagogue
The Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan guarantees freedom of conscience and freedom of religious worship. According to statistics, there are 1,503 religious associations and communities belonging to 30 denominations and dominations in the country. Among the believers there are followers of almost all world religions: Islam, Christianity (Orthodoxy, Catholicism, Protestant movements), Buddhism, as well as Judaism, Hinduism, ancient polytheistic cults and modern neoplasms. In addition to traditional religions, Kazakhstan has a large number of organizations representing exotic religious beliefs of a mystical nature.
Among the main tasks for the participants of the congress – world spiritual leaders - is now active joint assistance in solving global problems of the modern world. Among them: poverty, environmental problems, wars, conflicts, the fight against radicalism. The Palace of Peace and Accord was built especially for the Congress in the capital of the country. The Palace of Peace and Accord is a pyramid-shaped building created by the famous British architect Norman Foster, which is a center for religious studies and religious tolerance. The area of the Pyramid is 28 thousand m2. The Palace of Peace and Accord includes conference halls and exhibition areas equipped with modern equipment, art galleries, presentation complexes and much more, including an opera hall with 1,302 seats. The Presidential Park is located around the building.
Another characteristic plant of Kazakhstan is the Sivers apple tree. This wild apple tree grows in the Dzungarian Alatau and, according to an examination conducted by Professor of Oxford University, geneticist Barry Juniper, is the ancestor of all currently existing 10 and a half thousand cultivated varieties of apples growing in various parts of the world. Archaeologists admit the possibility that these apple trees existed on the territory of modern Kazakhstan back in the age of dinosaurs, which means that prehistoric herbivorous monsters probably ate them.
Turanga is a tree, by the presence of which it is possible to judge the existence of moisture in the soil. Perhaps that is why Kazakhs have long revered as sacred places where turanga grows. In ancient times, it was believed that this tree had a soul, and even hitting it with an arrow was a great blasphemy. Turanga is considered the most tenacious plant on the planet. Scientists claim that turanga survived the Ice Age and still adorns the deserted Kazakh expanses.
In Kazakhstan, you can observe a fairly large variety of representatives of plants and animals. Due to the large extent of the country, the flora and fauna here are diverse and vary depending on the zone.
The flora of Kazakhstan includes 68 species of tree species, 266 species of shrubs, 433 species of semi-shrubs and semi-grasses, 2598 species of perennial grasses, 849 species of annual grasses. In total, there are over six thousand plant species in Kazakhstan, 515 of them are endemic.
Another characteristic plant of Kazakhstan is the Sivers apple tree. This wild apple tree grows in the Dzungarian Alatau and, according to an examination conducted by Professor of Oxford University, geneticist Barry Juniper, is the ancestor of all currently existing 10 and a half thousand cultivated varieties of apples growing in various parts of the world. Archaeologists admit the possibility that these apple trees existed on the territory of modern Kazakhstan back in the age of dinosaurs, which means that prehistoric herbivorous monsters probably ate them.
Turanga is a tree, by the presence of which it is possible to judge the existence of moisture in the soil. Perhaps that is why Kazakhs have long revered as sacred places where turanga grows. In ancient times, it was believed that this tree had a soul, and even hitting it with an arrow was a great blasphemy. Turanga is considered the most tenacious plant on the planet. Scientists claim that turanga survived the Ice Age and still adorns the deserted Kazakh expanses.
Tien Shan spruce is endemic to the flora of the Tien Shan Mountains.
In Kazakhstan it is found in the mountains of the Eastern Tien Shan and Dzungarian Alatau at an altitude of 1300 to 3600 meters. This tree has long been highly valued In Central Asia as a source of valuable wood. During the initial construction of Almaty, the wood of the Tien Shan spruce was used to create houses. But later this tree was forbidden to be used for buildings. However, after the devastating earthquake of 1887, it turned out that the ancient buildings made of Tien Shan spruce were the least damaged.
Once upon a time, the expanses of Kazakhstan were covered with vast relict forests of Sogdian ash. Now all that remains of them is a picturesque grove on the coast of the Charyn River. The height of these trees reaches 25 meters, and their trunk diameter is up to 1 and a half meter. Scientists believe that the age of the Sogdian ash in the relict grove of the Charyn Canyon is about 25 million years old. These trees were able to survive the ice Age, but almost disappeared due to the destructive activities of humans.
Kazakhstan, which is also the birthplace of tulips, has 35 wild species of these plants. It is proved that these flowers grew on the territory of modern Kazakhstan more than 10 million years ago. Formerly, whole fields of tulips decorated all the steppe zones of the country. Now, to enjoy this colorful view, you need to drive several tens of kilometers from the city. One of the types of tulips has become a symbol of the Baikonur cosmodrome.
There are 180 species of mammals, 500 species of birds, 52 species of reptiles, 12 species of amphibians, and over 100 species of fish in the modern fauna of Kazakhstan. More than 50 thousand species of invertebrates (insects, crustaceans, mollusks, worms).
More than 30,000 species of insects have been recorded alone. Selevinia, Altai gray mouse, Zhitkov's thick-tailed jerboa, black lark and others are not found anywhere outside Kazakhstan.
Many species of animals and birds that now inhabit the territory of the republic migrated there from China and the Mediterranean. There are many fish in the river waters, which are of commercial importance. The Aral Sea has 20 species of fish, the Caspian Sea has 50. The Caspian seal also lives here. Kazakhstan is the northernmost place in the world where pink flamingos fly.
- Snow LeopardMany representatives of the animal world of Kazakhstan have become real symbols of Kazakhstan and are under special protection. One of them is the snow leopard, or irbis, a rare species from the felidae family that mainly lives in the mountainous areas of Central Asia. According to scientists, this species has existed on Earth for more than one and a half million years. The animal has a very secretive nature and avoids meeting with humans. In Kazakhstan, leopards are found in the Dzungarian mountains, the Trans-Ili Alatau, as well as on the spurs of the Central Tan Shan.
- Golden EagleThe golden eagle is the most popular bird in Kazakhstan, and the main symbol of the country. It is a very powerful bird, its wingspan reaches two and a half meters, the body length is more than half a meter, the mass in natural habitat is up to six kilograms. Despite its impressive size, this eagle is very fast. When diving for prey, its speed can reach 250, and sometimes 300 kilometers per hour. Golden eagles are prone to learning, and can be a very loyal friend to humans. In Kazakhstan and other Central Asian countries, golden eagle hunting is a national sport. It takes from two to three years to prepare a bird for hunting.
- SaigaSaigas are perhaps the most ancient mammals included in the Red Book of Kazakhstan. Saiga lived in the vastness of the planet back in the ice age and has been preserved to this day almost in its original form. Saigas live in the steppe regions of South Kazakhstan, Karaganda, Kostanay, Akmola and Aktobe regions. They are gregarious animals that migrate depending on the time of year, from the northern parts of the country to the southern regions. These animals can travel a hundred of kilometers per day. Saigas are very hardy and fast animals, during mass migration they can move at a speed of 30-40 kilometers per hour, and when feeling threatened they can accelerate up to 75 kilometers per hour.
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https://www.gov.kz/?lang=en
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https://www.thoughtco.com/kazahkstan-facts-and-history-195057
