Kazakhstan is the ninth biggest country in the world, about the size of Western Europe or half the size of mainland USA. It borders Russia to the north, the Caspian Sea to the west, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan to the south and China to the east. Kazakhstan is mainly dry and flat except for its alpine southeast and eastern fringes which lie along the northern edge of the mighty Tian Shan range. Mt Khan Tengri at 6995m (22,950ft), on the Kazakhstan-Kyrgyzstan border, is the country's highest point. Lake Balqash in the central east is huge but shallow - the eastern half is salty, the western half fresh. Continental, cold winters and hot summers, arid and semiarid. Summer is sizzingly hot with desert temperatures topping 40ºC (105ºF) during the day, but often dropping to less than half that at night. Snow starts to fall around November and the mountain passes fill with snow until April, sometimes-even May. Winters are bitterly cold, even in the desert.
Population
17.1m (1995)
Area
2,717,300 sq.km
Ethnicity/ Race
Kazakh & Russian
Major Languages
Kazakh & Russian
Religion
Muslim 47%, Russian Orthodox 44%, Protestant 2%, other 7%
Air Astana Upgrades Airport Lounge Access Around the World
Air Astana continues to upgrade airport lounge access around the world in order to further enhance the overall travel experience for its Business Class passengers and frequent flyer Nomad Club Gold members.
Air Astana's Business Class passengers and Nomad Club Gold members can now enjoy the comforts of code share partner Etihad Airways’ lounges in Abu Dhabi and London Heathrow. Similar arrangements with code share partner Asiana Airlines come into effect on 1st October 2011, with access being available to the state-of-the-art Asiana lounge at Seoul Incheon Airport.
Located near gate 119, the lounge provides passengers with many amenities. Business Class passengers and Nomad Club Gold members can take advantage of free phone calls, wireless internet connection, printer and fax, and a wide selection of drinks and magazines. There are also restrooms, shower rooms, modern massagers and other amenities in the lounge.
