Geography & environment — Kazakhstan
Location, land area, terrain, climate, and natural resources.
Profile updated 2026-06-02
⚡ Geography & environment at a glance
Location, land area, terrain, climate, and natural resources. Key figure for Kazakhstan: Asia
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Location & size
- Geographic Location
Asia
- Geographic Coordinates
48 00 N, 68 00 E
- Total Area
1,052,084 Square Miles 2,724,900 Square Kilometers
- Land Area
1,042,354 Square Miles 2,699,700 Square Kilometers
- Water Area
9,730 Square Miles 25,200 Square Kilometers
- Land Boundaries
7,571 Miles 12,185 Kilometers
- Border Countries
China 1,533 km, Kyrgyzstan 1,051 km, Russia 6,846 km, Turkmenistan 379 km, Uzbekistan 2,203 km
Physical geography
- Terrain
extends from the Volga to the Altai Mountains and from the plains in western Siberia to oases and desert in Central Asia
- Highest Point
6,995 Meters
- Highest Point Location
Khan Tangiri Shyngy (Pik Khan-Tengri) 6,995 m
- Lowest Point
-132 Meters
- Lowest Point Location
Vpadina Kaundy -132 m
- Natural Resources
major deposits of petroleum, natural gas, coal, iron ore, manganese, chrome ore, nickel, cobalt, copper, molybdenum, lead, zinc, bauxite, gold, uranium
- Irrigated Land
7,977 Square Miles 20,660 Square Kilometers
Climate & time
- Time Zone
UTC+6 (11 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) time zone note: Kazakhstan has two time zones
Climate
- Climate
The climate throughout Kazakhstan is continental and dry, and there are four distinct seasons. The weather in Almaty is very moderate, and consecutive rainy days are rare. Winter temperatures and snowfall are rarely extreme (i.e., rarely below 0°F), and the wind is light. During the 4-5-month summer average high temperatures are usually in the low to mid-80's F. "Golden Fall," is perhaps the most pleasant season, particularly in Almaty, with brilliantly clear, dry days, colorful autumn leaves, and pleasant temperatures. In Astana strong winds, long winters, and December-January temperatures periodically fall below 0°F. The summers are generally dry and sunny, but the weather changes rapidly and it is not uncommon to have a rainy morning followed by a sunny afternoon. Average summer highs in Astana are in the low 80's.
- Terrain
extends from the Volga to the Altai Mountains and from the plains in western Siberia to oases and desert in Central Asia
- Location
Central Asia, northwest of China; a small portion west of the Ural (Zhayyq) River in eastern-most Europe
- Total Area
1,052,084 Square Miles 2,724,900 Square Kilometers
- Border Countries
China 1,533 km, Kyrgyzstan 1,051 km, Russia 6,846 km, Turkmenistan 379 km, Uzbekistan 2,203 km
Environment
- Environment - Current Issues
radioactive or toxic chemical sites associated with former defense industries and test ranges scattered throughout the country pose health risks for humans and animals
industrial pollution is severe in some cities
because the two main rivers which flowed into the Aral Sea have been diverted for irrigation, it is drying up and leaving behind a harmful layer of chemical pesticides and natural salts
these substances are then picked up by the wind and blown into noxious dust storms
pollution in the Caspian Sea
soil pollution from overuse of agricultural chemicals and salination from poor infrastructure and wasteful irrigation practices
- Environment - International Agreements
party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol