The Republic of Kazakhstan is the largest of the states of the former USSR. It is the world's ninth biggest country by size - bigger than Western Europe and more than twice the size of the other Central Asian states combined. Stretching over a vast expanse of northern and central Eurasia, it is bordered by Russia to the north, the People's Republic of China to the east, and the Central Asian countries Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan to its south. It has a coastline to the west with the Caspian Sea.

The lack of significant historical sites and endless featureless steppe (semi-desert) may put many travellers off Kazakhstan, but others are drawn by the emptiness and mystery of this massive state. If you look past the stereotypes there is much for the intrepid traveller to enjoy.