On Kazakhstan

Given Borat's much acclaimed number one weekend opening, I think it's only fair to do some research into Mr Cohen (the Jew)'s adopted home country. Who is this Kazakhstan?


She's a gem of the East, "A bewitching, dream-like landscape for those with a taste for the esoteric." according to LonelyPlanet.com. One could describe Kazakhstan as the meat in a triple decker sandwich of Russia, Uzbekistan and China. It is the ninth-largest country in the world by area which is about the same size as Western Europe (or four times the area of Texas). Its official languages are Russian and Kazakh.

Major cities include Astana (capital since December 1997), Almaty (the former capital and uber-cosmopolitan playground), Karaganda, Shymkent (Chimkent), Semey (Semipalatinsk) and Turkestan.

The country has a rich cultural history, and a diverse economical and physical landscape.

To learn more either:

Go there on a Sayat Tour, they just created two tours, "Kazakhstan vs. Boratistan" and "Jagshemash!!! See the Real Kazakhstan" to counter/capitalize on Borat's antics.

Read the Wikipedia article I plagiarised in this post!

Find someone on facebook who's from Kazakhstan and ask them about the movie

Rent or buy "Nomad", an ambitious take on a Kazakh epic. (See Trailer)