republic; authoritarian presidential rule, with little power outside the executive branch
constitutional monarchy
Independence date
16 December 1991 (from Soviet Union)
15 August 1971 (from UK)
Religions
Muslim 47%, Russian Orthodox 44%, Protestant 2%, other 7%
Muslim (Shia and Sunni) 81.2%, Christian 9%, other 9.8% (2001 census)
Languages
Kazakh (Qazaq, state language) 64.4%, Russian (official, used in everyday business, designated the "language of interethnic communication") 95% (2001 est.)
