Kazakhstan

A country larger than Western Europe, Kazakhstan's vast expanse encompasses the Great Steppe, across which Genghis Khan's Mongol hordes galloped; the heights of the Tien Shan in the south, through whose foothills Silk Road travellers journeyed; the exquisite lakes and valleys of the mystical Altai mountains in the northeast, and in the far west the archaeologically rich desert coast of the Caspian Sea. With independence and the discovery of oil has come huge change and rapid modernization, yet Kazakhstan remained one of the least known of Asian countries until out of the blue the "Borat" movie took the world by storm in 2006. Now, this land of rich history, inspirational landscapes and welcoming people shares its wonders with a curious world.This is the first international English language guide to Kazakhstan - a huge and diverse country. It covers: the "Borat" phenomenon and its double-edged effect; Baikonur, Genghis Khan, Tamerlane and the Silk Road; the future of Kazakhstan's energy resources; investment potential for business travellers; Kazakhstan's archaeological wealth; and, architecture from Astana to Almaty to Aktau.It also includes superb photography from the grandeur of the Tien Shan and Altai mountains across the Great Steppe to the Caspian Sea.