republic; authoritarian presidential rule, with little power outside the executive branch
republic
Independence date
16 December 1991 (from Soviet Union)
21 March 1990 (from South African mandate)
Religions
Muslim 47%, Russian Orthodox 44%, Protestant 2%, other 7%
Christian 80% to 90% (Lutheran 50% at least), indigenous beliefs 10% to 20%
Languages
Kazakh (Qazaq, state language) 64.4%, Russian (official, used in everyday business, designated the "language of interethnic communication") 95% (2001 est.)
English 7% (official), Afrikaans common language of most of the population and about 60% of the white population, German 32%, indigenous languages 1% (includes Oshivambo, Herero, Nama)
