republic; authoritarian presidential rule, with little power outside the executive branch
constitutional monarchy
Independence date
16 December 1991 (from Soviet Union)
2 March 1956 (from France)
Religions
Muslim 47%, Russian Orthodox 44%, Protestant 2%, other 7%
Muslim 98.7%, Christian 1.1%, Jewish 0.2%
Languages
Kazakh (Qazaq, state language) 64.4%, Russian (official, used in everyday business, designated the "language of interethnic communication") 95% (2001 est.)
Arabic (official), Berber dialects, French often the language of business, government, and diplomacy
