KAZAKHSTAN

Republic of Kazakhstan Kazakstan Respublikasy CAPITAL: Astana (as of December 1997; formerly Almaty) FLAG: Light blue with a yellow sun and soaring eagle in the center and a yellow vertical ornamentation in the hoist. ANTHEM: National Anthem of Kazakhstan. MONETARY UNIT: The tenge (T), issued in 15 November 1993, is the national currency, replacing the ruble (R). There is a coin, the tyin. One hundred tyin equal one tenge. As of May 2003, T1 = $0.00661 (or $1 = T151.2), but exchange rates fluctuate widely. WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: The metric system is in force. HOLIDAYS: New Year, 31 December–1 January; International Women’s Day, 8 March; Nauryz (Kazak New Year), 28 March; Solidarity Day, 1 May; Victory Day, 9 May; Independence Day, 25 October. TIME: 5 PM = noon GMT.