republic; authoritarian presidential rule, with little power outside the executive branch
Independence date
15 September 1821 (from Spain)
16 December 1991 (from Soviet Union)
Religions
Roman Catholic 76.3%, Evangelical 13.7%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.3%, other Protestant 0.7%, other 4.8%, none 3.2%
Muslim 47%, Russian Orthodox 44%, Protestant 2%, other 7%
Languages
Spanish (official), English
Kazakh (Qazaq, state language) 64.4%, Russian (official, used in everyday business, designated the "language of interethnic communication") 95% (2001 est.)
