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Native Kazakhs, a mix of Turkic and Mongol nomadic tribes who migrated into the region in the 13th century, were rarely united as a single nation. The area was conquered by Russia in the 18th century, and Kazakhstan became a Soviet Republic in 1936.

During the 1950s and 1960s agricultural "Virgin Lands" program, Soviet citizens were encouraged to help cultivate Kazakhstan's northern pastures. This influx of immigrants (mostly Russians, but also some other deported nationalities) skewed the ethnic mixture and enabled non-Kazakhs to outnumber natives.

Independence in 1991 caused many of these newcomers to emigrate. Kazakhstan's economy is larger than those of all the other Central Asian states combined, largely due to the country's vast natural resources and a recent history of political stability. Current issues include: developing a cohesive national identity; expanding the development of the country's vast energy resources and exporting them to world markets; achieving a sustainable economic growth; diversifying the economy outside the oil, gas, and mining sectors; enhancing Kazakhstan's competitiveness; and strengthening relations with neighboring states and other foreign powers.

The Kazakh president is Nursultan A. Nazarbayev, who won a third six-year term in December 2005, with 91 percent of the vote in an election that international observers said was flawed. Two opposition politicians were murdered at that time.

Kazakhstan is an oil rich country that intends to produce 3 million barrels a day. The US is pushing for a land pipeline across Kazakhstan that would reduce Russia's influence in the region.

With Russia's recent incursion in Georgia, uncertainty is a part of daily life in Kazakhstan today.