Kazakhstan has remained close to Russia since the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991. However, the Soviets left a legacy of serious environmental problems, including nuclear and toxic waste, widespread industrial pollution, a shrinking Aral Sea, and an expanding desert. The people of Kazakhstan face other challenges as well: The government is nominally democratic, but elections are widely believed to be rigged in favor of the party in power. While a few people have become extremely wealthy through government corruption, common citizens have seen little material improvement in their lives since independence. This book examines the economic and political issues facing Kazakhstan today. It provides up-to-date information about the country's geography and climate, history, society, important cities and communities, and relations with other countries. Book jacket.