10 interesting facts about Kazakhstan

Literally out of this world

10 interesting facts about Kazakhstan

Ever wondered where horses were first domesticated, or even knew there has been a talking elephant? It turns out Kazakhstan has a lot of records to boast that you probably never would have expected.

Kazakhstan is home to about 120 ethnic groups and nationalities living in peace and harmony. Be careful in expressions about other nationalities; it is likely that you are talking to a representative.

The first artificial satellite and the first man was sent into space from Kazakhstan, from the Baikonur Cosmodrome.

Horses were first domesticated in the territory that is now modern Kazakhstan (about 5000 years ago).

Kazakhstan is the largest landlocked country in the world. While it does have a shoreline on the Caspian Sea, it does not have access to the ocean.

Kazakhstan has three time zones, so you keep careful track of the time when traveling.

On your travels, make sure to stop by lake Balkhash, the world's only half salt- and half fresh-water lake.  

It’s argued that Kazakhstan is the homeland of the Amazons. Excavations of the Scythian tombs led to the discovery of women buried with weapons, armour and horse harnesses, leading to the belief that the female warriors originated in the area.

Kazakhstan is the birthplace of tulips and apples.

Batyr, the first talking elephant in the world, was from Kazakhstan. It’s claimed Batyr had the ability to learn and use human speech in communication, and is attributed with contributing to a new trend in scientific research.

The country has a peaceful ideology. Kazakhstan voluntarily renounced the use of nuclear weapons on its territory, despite having had the fourth largest arsenal of nuclear weapons.

This article was contributed by Optimum Translation Agency, offering language services in Kazakh, Russian and English.

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