KAZAKHSTAN

(KZT) Currency News >>

CURRENCY:

Kazakh Tenge - KZT

DENOMINATIONS:

NOTE: KZT10,000, 5,000, 2,000, 1,000, 500 and 200.

COIN: KZT100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1.

US DOLLAR ACCEPTED?

N/A

CREDIT/DEBIT CARDS AND ATMS:

Major credit cards will be accepted in larger hotels in Almaty.

CURRENCY EXCHANGE:

You can only obtain the Tenge within Kazakhstan, and it can be hard to exchange back to another currency. The best option for tourists is to carry cash in US dollars and exchange where necessary. Note: only exchange currency with authorised dealers and retain all proof of exchange.

TRAVELLER'S CHEQUES:

These are best in US dollars.

BANKING HOURS:

Mon-Fri 0900-1800. Note banks are closed for an hour over lunch.

CURRENCY RESTRICTIONS:

See currency section, above.

COUNTRY OVERVIEW:

Full name Republic of Kazakhstan, this country is the largest in Eurasia and lies on the Caspian Sea. Kazakhstan is a very large country and has a diverse landscape, with hills and mountains as well as flatlands and steppes. In contrast to its large size, the population is small. The capital is Astana though the largest city is Almaty. The official languages are Kazakh and Russian. The main religions practised in Kazakhstan are Islam and Orthodox Christianity.

POPULATION:

Around 15 million.

ECONOMY:

The main sector of the Kazakhstan economy is energy. There are high levels of production of crude oil and natural gas which are exported. Another major contributor to GDP is agriculture with grain and livestock at the forefront.