evidence: Kazakhstan is a country that stretches from Central Asia to Eastern Europe and occupies an area of 2,724,900 sq. km. [...] With an area of 2,724,900 sq. km, Kazakhstan is the world’s largest landlocked country and the ninth largest country in the world. It is also the most economic dominant Nation of Central Asia. Nur-Sultan (known as Astana between 1998 and 2019) is the capital city and is located on the banks of the Ishim River in the country's northern part. With a population of over a million inhabitants, it is the second largest city in Kazakhstan. Almaty located in the mountainous region of southern Kazakhstan, is the largest city in the country, with a population of over two million inhabitants. Almaty is the major commercial and cultural centre, as well as the most populous and cosmopolitan city of Kazakhstan. Kazakhstan is a transcontinental country with major parts in Central Asia and a small part in Eastern Europe. It is located in the Northern and Eastern hemispheres of the Earth (at the junction of Europe and Asia). It is bordered by 5 nations; the Russian Federation in the north and west; China in the east; Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan in the south. The Aral Sea is located along the southern border. The Caspian Sea is situated along the western border.