Written and Fact-checked by Whereig Editors | Last Updated On: May 22, 2026
Kazakhstan is divided into 14 regions, also known as oblasts, along with three cities with special status. Here is a list of the regions and cities in Kazakhstan as of my knowledge cutoff in September 2021:
Kazakhstan is the largest landlocked country in the world located in Central Asia and partly in Eastern Europe. The country is bordered by Russia, China, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan, and is divided into 17 regions and 3 major cities with special administrative status. Astana is the national capital and one of the country’s major urban centers.
The country includes vast steppes, deserts, mountains, lakes, industrial cities, and oil-producing regions spread across a huge territory. Different regions are known for mining, agriculture, energy production, trade routes, and cultural heritage influenced by both Central Asia and Eurasia.
Key Facts
- National capital: Astana
- Total population: 20,500,000 (Official estimate 2025)
- Total area: 2,724,900 km² (1,052,100 sq miles)
- Currency: Kazakhstani Tenge (₸, KZT)
- Bordering countries: Russia, China, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan
- Total Regions and Special Cities: 20
- Total Districts: 170+
List of Regions and Capitals of Kazakhstan
Total administrative divisions shown: 20 | Combined population: 20,500,000 | Combined area: 2,724,900 km²
| # | Region Name | Capital City | Region Group | Area (km²) | Population (Latest Census) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Abai Region | Semey | Eastern Kazakhstan | 185,500 | 640,000 |
| 2 | Akmola Region | Kokshetau | Northern Kazakhstan | 146,219 | 790,000 |
| 3 | Aktobe Region | Aktobe | Western Kazakhstan | 300,629 | 980,000 |
| 4 | Almaty | Almaty | Special City | 683 | 2,300,000 |
| 5 | Almaty Region | Konayev | Southeastern Kazakhstan | 105,000 | 1,600,000 |
| 6 | Astana | Astana | Special City | 797 | 1,500,000 |
| 7 | Atyrau Region | Atyrau | Caspian Region | 118,631 | 710,000 |
| 8 | East Kazakhstan Region | Oskemen | Eastern Kazakhstan | 97,800 | 720,000 |
| 9 | Jetisu Region | Taldykorgan | Southeastern Kazakhstan | 118,500 | 700,000 |
| 10 | Jambyl Region | Taraz | Southern Kazakhstan | 144,264 | 1,220,000 |
| 11 | Karaganda Region | Karaganda | Central Kazakhstan | 428,000 | 1,130,000 |
| 12 | Kostanay Region | Kostanay | Northern Kazakhstan | 196,001 | 830,000 |
| 13 | Kyzylorda Region | Kyzylorda | Southern Kazakhstan | 226,019 | 850,000 |
| 14 | Mangystau Region | Aktau | Caspian Region | 165,642 | 810,000 |
| 15 | North Kazakhstan Region | Petropavl | Northern Kazakhstan | 97,993 | 530,000 |
| 16 | Pavlodar Region | Pavlodar | Northeastern Kazakhstan | 124,800 | 750,000 |
| 17 | Shymkent | Shymkent | Special City | 1,163 | 1,250,000 |
| 18 | Turkistan Region | Turkistan | Southern Kazakhstan | 116,160 | 2,200,000 |
| 19 | Ulytau Region | Zhezkazgan | Central Kazakhstan | 188,900 | 220,000 |
| 20 | West Kazakhstan Region | Oral | Western Kazakhstan | 151,339 | 700,000 |
Largest Regions by Area
- Karaganda Region - 165,251 sq mi (428,000 km²)
- Aktobe Region - 116,073 sq mi (300,629 km²)
- Kyzylorda Region - 87,266 sq mi (226,019 km²)
- Kostanay Region - 75,676 sq mi (196,001 km²)
- Ulytau Region - 72,935 sq mi (188,900 km²)
- Abai Region - 71,622 sq mi (185,500 km²)
- Mangystau Region - 63,954 sq mi (165,642 km²)
- West Kazakhstan Region - 58,432 sq mi (151,339 km²)
Most Populous Regions
- Almaty - Population: 2,300,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
- Turkistan Region - Population: 2,200,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
- Almaty Region - Population: 1,600,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
- Astana - Population: 1,500,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
- Shymkent - Population: 1,250,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
- Jambyl Region - Population: 1,220,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
- Karaganda Region - Population: 1,130,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
- Aktobe Region - Population: 980,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
Smallest Regions by Area
- Almaty - 264 sq mi (683 km²)
- Astana - 308 sq mi (797 km²)
- Shymkent - 449 sq mi (1,163 km²)
- East Kazakhstan Region - 37,761 sq mi (97,800 km²)
- North Kazakhstan Region - 37,835 sq mi (97,993 km²)
- Almaty Region - 40,541 sq mi (105,000 km²)
Regions by Regional Grouping
- Northern Kazakhstan: Akmola Region, Kostanay Region, North Kazakhstan Region
- Northeastern Kazakhstan: Pavlodar Region
- Eastern Kazakhstan: Abai Region, East Kazakhstan Region
- Western Kazakhstan: Aktobe Region, West Kazakhstan Region
- Caspian Region: Atyrau Region, Mangystau Region
- Central Kazakhstan: Karaganda Region, Ulytau Region
- Southern Kazakhstan: Jambyl Region, Kyzylorda Region, Turkistan Region
- Southeastern Kazakhstan: Almaty Region, Jetisu Region
- Special City: Almaty, Astana, Shymkent
Landlocked Regions
- Abai Region
- Akmola Region
- Aktobe Region
- Almaty
- Almaty Region
- Astana
- East Kazakhstan Region
- Jetisu Region
- Jambyl Region
- Karaganda Region
- Kostanay Region
- Kyzylorda Region
- North Kazakhstan Region
- Pavlodar Region
- Shymkent
- Turkistan Region
- Ulytau Region
- West Kazakhstan Region
Regions with Coastline
- Atyrau Region - Caspian Sea coastline
- Mangystau Region - Caspian Sea coastline
Regions Sharing Borders with Other Countries
- Russia: Abai Region, Aktobe Region, Atyrau Region, East Kazakhstan Region, Kostanay Region, North Kazakhstan Region, Pavlodar Region, West Kazakhstan Region
- China: Abai Region, Almaty Region, East Kazakhstan Region, Jetisu Region
- Kyrgyzstan: Almaty Region, Jambyl Region
- Uzbekistan: Kyzylorda Region, Turkistan Region
- Turkmenistan: Mangystau Region
Sources
- Bureau of National Statistics Kazakhstan
- World Bank - Kazakhstan Data
- CIA World Factbook - Kazakhstan
- Encyclopaedia Britannica - Kazakhstan
- Government of Kazakhstan
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Location Map of Asian Countries
- Where is Afghanistan
- Where is Armenia
- Where is Azerbaijan
- Where is Bahrain
- Where is Bangladesh
- Where is Bhutan
- Where is Brunei
- Where is Cambodia
- Where is China
- Where is Georgia
- Where is Hong Kong
- Where is India
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- Where is Iran
- Where is Iraq
- Where is Israel
- Where is Japan
- Where is Jordan
- Where is Kazakhstan
- Where is Kuwait
- Where is Kyrgyzstan
- Where is Laos
- Where is Lebanon
- Where is Macau
- Where is Malaysia
- Where is Maldives
- Where is Mongolia
- Where is Myanmar
- Where is Nepal
- Where is North Korea
- Where is Oman
- Where is Pakistan
- Where is Philippines
- Where is Qatar
- Where is Russia
- Where is Saudi Arabia
- Where is Singapore
- Where is South Korea
- Where is Sri Lanka
- Where is Syria
- Where is Taiwan
- Where is Tajikistan
- Where is Thailand
- Where is Turkey
- Where is Turkmenistan
- United Arab Emirates
- Where is Uzbekistan
- Where is Vietnam
- Where is Yemen
Location of Asian Cities
- Where is Abu Dhabi
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- Where is Ankara
- Where is Baghdad
- Where is Baku
- Where is Bangkok
- Where is Bangalore
- Where is Beijing
- Where is Bishkek
- Where is Damascus
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- Where is Jakarta
- Where is Jerusalem
- Where is Kabul
- Where is Kathmandu
- Where is Kuala Lumpur
- Where is Kuwait City
- Where is Manila
- Where is Moscow
- Where is Mumbai
- Where is Muscat
- Where is New Delhi
- Where is Riyadh
- Where is Sanaa
- Where is Shanghai
- Where is Seoul
- Where is Taipei
- Where is Tehran
- Where is Tokyo