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Native Kazaks, 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 Kazakstan became a
Soviet Republic in 1936. During the 1950s and 1960s agricultural
"Virgin Lands" program, Soviet citizens were encouraged to help
cultivate Kazakstan's northern pastures. This influx of immigrants (mostly
Russians, but also some other deported nationalities) skewed the ethnic
mixture and enabled non-Kazaks to outnumber natives. Independence has
caused many of these newcomers to emigrate. Current issues include:
developing a cohesive national identity; expanding the development of the
country's vast energy resources and exporting them to world markets; and
continuing to strengthen relations with neighbouring states and other
foreign powers. |
