Economy
About two-fifths of the value of the country’s economic production is provided by agriculture. Crop production has increased since the late 20th century owing to the growth of cultivable land and irrigation of arid lands. Cereals, especially wheat, are the most important agricultural products. Wheat is grown mainly in the north and northeast. Other crops include sugar beets, rice, barley, cotton, potatoes, and fruits and vegetables. Kazakhstan has long been noted for raising livestock, especially Karakul sheep, from which high-quality wool is obtained. Cattle, hogs, and goats are also raised. Livestock products like dairy goods, leather, meat, and wool are produced on a large scale.
Kazakhstan is very rich in mineral resources. A variety of metals, including copper, manganese, lead, and chromium, are mined in the east. Coal is produced mainly near Qaraghandy and Ekibastuz. In the west are major oil and natural gas fields. Much of oil and gas is carried across the Russian region to the Black Sea by the pipelines. Especially important is the Tengiz Field, southeast of Atyrau, on the Caspian coast. Other minerals produced include bauxite, borax, silver, tin, tungsten, uranium, copper, zinc, iron ore, lead, nickel, and gold.
Much of Kazakhstan's industry is based on the processing of its mineral wealth. The metallurgical industry is of great importance. Petroleum refining and the manufacturing of machines, chemicals, fertilizers, processed foods, and textiles are also important. Around one-third of the country’s economic production is provided by industry. The major industrial centers are Almaty, Pavlodar, Qaraghandy, and Shymkent. Russia and Ukraine are the main trading partners of Kazakhstan. Russia uses its main space-launch facility called the Baykonur Cosmodrome near Baygongyr under a lease agreement with Kazakhstan.
Kazakhstan does not have an extensive road system. About two-thirds of the country's roads are paved. Buses and trains are the common modes of transportation. The railways link the cities to urban regions of Russia, China, and other neighboring countries. The main rail hub and site of Kazakhstan's main airport is Almaty. Kazakhstan has two ports on the Caspian Sea, Aqtau and Atyrau. Cities within Kazakhstan are linked by airlines, and there are many airports that handle international flights.
Newspapers in various languages are published, including Kazakh and Russian. Some of the cities have radio broadcasting stations. The national television station broadcasts from Almaty and Astana.
