Batyr the Talking Elephant – The first known case of an elephant learning and using human speech occurred in the Kazakh SSR, changing how scientists worldwide viewed these animals and sparking new scientific fields. Batyr, whose name means “hero” in Kazakh, astonished zoo staff and witnesses with his ability to mimic human speech, barking dogs, and other sounds. Raised in captivity, this Indian elephant began imitating noises at the Karaganda Zoo in 1977. To get what he wanted from zoo personnel, Batyr could articulate words and phrases, including “Batyr,” “Good,” “Water,” “Fool,” and even a famous profanity. His abilities gained global fame through media coverage. Batyr passed away in 1993 at the age of 23.
The Kazakhstan-Russia Border – Stretching 7,512.8 kilometers, this is the longest continuous land border in the world.
The World’s Tallest Chimney – The Ekibastuz GRES-2 power plant in Kazakhstan is home to the tallest chimney on Earth.
9th Largest Country Without an Ocean – Kazakhstan is the ninth-largest country globally and the largest landlocked nation, without access to an ocean.
Kazakhstan: The Birthplace of Tulips and Apples – The name of the city “Almaty” translates to “Father of Apples.” Genetic studies conducted by Oxford University professor Barry Juniper revealed that the wild apple species, Malus sieversii, native to southern Kazakhstan, is the ancestor of all modern apples. First described in 1793, these wild Kazakh apples were brought to Europe centuries ago by conquerors and gradually domesticated. Today, the wild “mother” of all apples still grows in Kazakhstan, known for its resilience and hardiness.
The First Horse Riders and Horse Domestication – Modern-day Kazakhstan is where humans first domesticated horses and became riders over 5,500 years ago. This rewrites the history of global horse breeding, pushing it back by at least 1,000 years.
Medeo Ice Rink – The highest-altitude ice rink in the world is Medeo, situated in Kazakhstan. This sports complex for winter events holds the largest area of artificial ice, spanning 10,500 square meters. The high elevation and pure mountain water used for the ice contribute to many speed skating world records, with 170 world records set here over time.
The First Artificial Satellite and Human in Space – Both the first artificial satellite, Sputnik-1, and the first human in space, Yuri Gagarin, were launched from Kazakhstan’s Baikonur Cosmodrome.
The Russian Word “Dengi” (Money) Has Turkic Origins – The Russian word for “money,” “dengi,” derives from the Turkic word “tenge,” which is also the name of Kazakhstan’s currency today.
World Record in Train Transportation – On February 20, 1986, Kazakhstan set a world record by transporting a train with 440 wagons, weighing a total of 43.4 thousand tons and stretching 6.5 kilometers, along the “Tselinny Railway.”
Almaty’s TV Tower – Measured from sea level, Almaty’s TV tower, situated on Kok-Tyube, is the highest in the world. Built between 1978 and 1982, and operational since 1984, this structure is known for its seismic resilience. It is Kazakhstan’s second-tallest structure and ranks 32nd globally.
Kazakhstan’s Contribution to WWII – One-third of all bullets used by Soviet troops during World War II were made from Kazakh lead.
Lake Balkhash: A Unique Natural Phenomenon – Lake Balkhash in Kazakhstan is a unique body of water, where half of the lake contains fresh water and the other half salty. This natural phenomenon, visible at the point of separation, continues to puzzle scientists.
Kazakhstan: The Northernmost Stop for Flamingos – Every year, pink flamingos migrate to the Korgalzhyn Nature Reserve in Kazakhstan, the northernmost place in the world for these birds, with their numbers reaching up to 36,000.
Turkestan: A Center of Kazakh Culture – The city of Turkestan, founded 1,500 years ago, is a cultural and spiritual hub for Kazakhstan. Pilgrims believe that three trips to Turkestan are equal to one lesser Hajj to Mecca.
The World’s Largest Natural Cannabis Growth – The Chu Valley in Kazakhstan is home to the largest natural cannabis growth area, covering 150,000 hectares. Despite various attempts to eradicate the plants through burning, mowing, and chemical treatments, this psychotropic plant persists due to its deep-rooted system. The only effective method would involve digging it up, but the area is simply too vast.
Wild Camels and Horses – Wild camels and horses still roam Kazakhstan’s deserts and steppes.
The Stunning Charyn Canyon – Located 200 kilometers east of Almaty, the Charyn Canyon stretches 154 kilometers along the Charyn River. Its beauty and uniqueness are often compared to the Grand Canyon in Colorado, USA.
Kazakhstan: A Global Leader in Loofah Sponges – Kazakhstan is the world’s leading exporter of bath sponges made from the loofah plant, especially to Russia and Europe. Known from Soviet times, these sponges, made from the dried fruits of the loofah plant (which resemble large cucumbers), were a common sight in many bathrooms.
Visit the Baikonur Cosmodrome
Explore historic launch pads
Tour the Space Museum
See iconic space artifacts
Witness rocket assembly facilities
Visit the Gagarin Start Pad