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4th October 2009 |
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Population of 16.4 million people with less than 6 people per sq km, Kazakhstan is the world’s largest land locked country and 9th largest country in the world. The adult literacy rate is 99.5%
In December 1991 Kazakhstan was the last Soviet republic to declare itself an independent country. The country has enjoyed significant economic growth since 2000, partly due to its large oil, gas and mineral deposits. However, democracy has not gained much ground since 1991. With parliament passing lifetime powers and privileges to the president in 2007, critics say he has become a defacto ‘president for life’.
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Agricultural practices and defence industries conducted by the Soviet republic have been instrumental in creating toxic chemical sites and industrial pollution. Irrigation from the 2 main rivers is causing the Aral Sea to dry up.
Since independence there has been a huge increase in religious activity. Islam (70% of population) is the largest religion followed by Russian Orthodox Christianity, then Roman Catholic, Greek Orthodox, Baptists and Protestants. Currently there are 258 Orthodox churches, 93 Catholic and over 500 Protestant churches and prayer houses. Pray for these churches, that they may be a witness to God in this troubled country.
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