Regions of Kazakhstan
| Regions of Kazakhstan Қазақстан облыстары (Kazakh) Области Казахстана (Russian) | |
|---|---|
| |
| Category | Unitary state |
| Location | Republic of Kazakhstan |
| Number | 17 regions and 4 cities (Almaty, Astana, Baikonur and Shymkent) |
| Populations | 36,175 (Baikonur) – 2,685,009 (Turkistan) |
| Areas | 680 km2 (263 sq mi) (Almaty) – 427,980 km2 (165,245 sq mi) (Karaganda) |
| Government |
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| Subdivisions | |
Kazakhstan is divided into 17 regions (Kazakh: облыстар, romanized: oblystar; sg. облыс, oblys; Russian: области, romanized: oblasti; sg. область, oblast) and 4 cities. The regions are further subdivided into districts (Kazakh: аудандар, romanized: audandar; sg. аудан, audan; Russian: районы, romanized: rayony; sg. район, rayon). The four cities, Almaty, Baikonur, Shymkent, and the capital city Astana, do not belong to their surrounding regions.
Initially there were 14 regions. On 16 March 2022, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev announced that three new regions would be created. Abai Region was created from East Kazakhstan Region with its capital in Semey. Ulytau Region was created from Karaganda Region with its capital in Jezkazgan. Jetisu Region was created from Almaty Region with its capital in Taldykorgan; Almaty Region's capital was moved from Taldykorgan to Qonayev.