ITM Publications

International Travel Maps: Kazakhstan ITM Publications 3rd edition

Kazakhstan is one of the many breakaway countries that split off from the Soviet empire when it spectacularly imploded in 1989/90. It is a very large country, and it shares a long border with Russia Thus far, relations between the two countries seem to be fairly cordial, but Putin is an unstable leader, so the Kazaks have to play a softly-softly foreign policy so as not to arouse the Russian bear. That said, it is a friendly country and well worth visiting. Side one shows the western portion of the country from the Caspian Sea to Zhezqazghan, including the remaining portions of the Aral Sea, which it shares with neighbouring Uzbekistan. This side also includes a very good inset map of Almaty, the capital. The second side covers the eastern portion of the country, including Almaty, which is strategically placed on the ancient Silk Road joining China to Europe and is fairly close to Bishkek, a former trading fortress, now in Uzbekistan. Todays border with China is only a short distance from the capital. This is a country best seen on a group tour, but that may just be my old bones talking! As an aside, this edition is the 3rd one for Kazakhstan, not the 4th as printed on the map.