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
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
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