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Kazakhstan: Countries
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Kazakhstan is set apart from many other countries in that families do not actually receive information on a child or children prior to travel. Families are given the benefit of interacting with one or more children before making the decision to proceed with the adoption process. The first trip to Kazakhstan is approximately 3–4 weeks. Upon arrival, families will be taken to the region in which they have been registered. They will then have the opportunity to visit a baby or child house and meet with a child(ren) who matches their request. Once a family has officially accepted a child, they begin the visitation process.
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Under the constitution of 1995, Kazakhstan is headed by a strong executive president, who is elected by popular vote. There is a bicameral parliament, most of whose members are elected, but its powers are limited. The country is divided into 14 administrative units, or oblasts.
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Kazakhstan has undertaken a number of reforms in order to develop its oil potential, including privatizing a number of existing energy concerns. In November 2000, Kazakhstan announced it was considering selling shares in two oil companies: a 30% holding in oil Mangistaumunaigaz and a 25.12% holding in Aktyubinskmunaigaz. Mangistaumunaigaz, in western Kazakhstan, produced 85,000 bbl/d in 2000, up from 60,000 bbl/d in 1999. Indonesia's Central Asia Petroleum owns 60% of the company. Aktyubinskmunaigaz... in the west of the country where most of Kazakhstan's oil is located, is controlled by the China National Petroleum Company (CNPC), which bought 60.3% of the company in June 1997. Aktyubinskmunaigaz produced 50,000 bbl/d in 2000, up from 45,000 bbl/d in 1999.
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While Kazakhstan has enacted significant economic reforms, restructuring remains to be done. In December 1999, the IMF approved a three-year, $453 million loan to Kazakhstan to assist in macroeconomic stabilization, and in August 2003 the IMF closed its offices in Almaty, citing Kazakhstan’s economic progress, and urging government assistance for health care, education, and other social programs. The World Bank has approved over $1.8 billion in loans and aid for various economic projects since 1993. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development has contributed over $449 million in aid during the last decade. The Asian Development Bank and other non-governmental organizations are active in economic and political projects as well. In December 2001, Kazakhstan’s largest bank, Kazcommertsbank, secured a $100 million loan, the largest in the country’s history.
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Kazakhstan is by far the largest of the states of Central Asia of the former USSR. It has borders with Russia, China, and the Central Asian countries Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. It is the world's ninth biggest country by size, and is more than twice the size of the other Central Asian states combined. Its lack of significant historical sites and endless featureless steppe have put many off Kazakhstan, but many are captivated by the emptiness and mystery of this goliath state. It will be many travellers' first port of call on their Central Asian adventure, and there is much for the intrepid traveller to enjoy.
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Kazakhstan is the ninth largest country in the world, more than four times the size of Texas, and one of the world's largest producers of wheat. But mostly, Kazakhstan has land for grazing livestock (sheep, goats, cattle, horses, and camels). Horses are very important livestock in Central Asia. Horse meat is commonly consumed, as is fermented mare's milk (called koumis). Camels are ... milked. Sheep raising has always been of cultural and economic significance to the people of Kazakhstan.
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