Britannica
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Which landforms cover most of Kazakhstan?
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The landscape of Kazakhstan is primarily defined by vast plains and plateaus, which together account for nearly half of the country's total area.1
The distribution of the country's major landforms is as follows:
- Hilly plateaus and plains: These cover nearly 50% of the republic.1
- Lowlands: These make up approximately one-third of the country's expanse, including the low-lying Caspian Depression in the west.1
- Low mountainous regions: These account for about one-fifth of the territory.1
Central and eastern Kazakhstan are characterized by the Kazakh Uplands, an undulating peneplain featuring low hills and salt-lake depressions. While the majority of the terrain is flat or rolling, the country also contains significant desert regions, such as the Aral Karakum and Kyzylkum, and high mountain ranges along its borders, including the Tien Shan and the Altai complex.12