The Government of Kazakhstan
Overview
- Capital: Astana
- Administrative regions: 17 regions plus 3 cities of republican significance (Astana, Almaty, Shymkent)
- Government & legal system: Presidential republic; civil law system. (government site)
- Head of state / government: Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President (official page)
- Official language(s): Kazakh (state language); Russian (official language of interethnic communication)
- National Day: December 16 (Independence Day, 1991)
- Independence: December 16, 1991 (from the USSR)
- Other official holidays: Nauryz (Mar 22), Capital Day (Jul 6), Republic Day (Oct 25)
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs (official site)
- Regional / international memberships: United Nations/ UN, Commonwealth of Independent States/ CIS, Eurasian Economic Union, Collective Security Treaty Organization/ CSTO, Shanghai Cooperation Organization/ SCO, OSCE, Organization of Turkic States
- Visa / entry requirements: E-visa applications go through Kazakhstan’s Visa and Migration Portal (note: e-visa entry/exit is limited to Almaty and Astana international airports only). (visa info)
- Currency: Kazakhstani tenge (KZT) — recent series favor national landmarks and abstract/cultural motifs (e.g. the Baiterek monument) rather than portraits.
- Flag symbolism: Sky-blue field with a golden sun (32 rays) above a soaring steppe eagle, and a golden ornamental strip at the hoist — blue represents unity and the sky, sun and eagle symbolize freedom and aspiration.
