Kazakhstan

General Information

Location: Asia
Local Time: Eastern GMT+6; Central:GMT+5; Western:GMT+5
Aktau, Atyrau, Aktyubinsk & Uralsk: GMT +5
Almaty, Astana, Karaganda, Kokshetau, Kostanay, Kyzl-Orda, Petropavlovsk, Semipalatinsk, Shimkent, Ust-Kamenogorsk & Zhezkazgan: GMT +6
Capital City: Astana
Population: 16.4 million
Area: 2,724,900357,021 square km, 1,052,085 square miles.

Language(s): Kazakh, Russian
Dialling Code: 7
Emergency: Police: 02. Fire: 01. Ambulance: 03

TV Standard: PAL
Driving: Driving is on the right. National licence with authorised translation or International Driving Permit required
Electricity: 220V AV 50Hz

Business & Currency

Currency: Tenge (KZT 1 = 100 Tiyin)
Notes: KZT: 50, 100, 200, 500, 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000
Coins: Tenge: 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100

Credit Cards/Travellers Cheques: Credit cards and travellers cheques are accepted in shops, restaurants & hotels
Opening Hours

Bank: 0930-1730 Mon-Fri
Office: 0900-1800 Mon-Fri
Shops: 0900-2000 Mon-Sat

Public Holidays

2012

01 Jan : New Year
07 Jan : Russian Orthodox Christmas
08 Mar : International Women’s Day
22 Mar : Nauryz Meyrami (Traditional Spring Holiday)
01 May : Kazakhstan People’s Unity Day
09 May : Victory Day
30 Aug : Constitution Day
25 Oct : Republic Day
26 Oct : Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice)
16 Dec : Independence Day

Note: Muslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon and the date listed are approximate. Eid al-Adha may last anything from 2-10 days, depending on the region.
Business/Social Hints: There are many customs and traditions to be understood. Alcohol is available and smoking is widespread
Tipping: Discretionary