Kazakhstan is large. :^)
The 9th largest in the world by area in fact at 2,724,900 square kilometres.
Arguably one of the more successful post-Soviet states, their PPP per capita is relatively high all things considered, beating out countries such as Turkey, Romania and Croatia. They also rank highly in terms of mineral and natural resource abundance.
But few know about Kazakhstan in the West, barring those with roots in the former USSR sphere of influence. Outside, they’re just known as “one of those stan countries”, or “BORAT”. The first time I met a Kazakh friend of mine through a mutual friend, she was surprised that I recognised the names of the different CA countries when we talked about where we were from (I already knew some friends from the area).
Kazakhstan also has a long and illustrious history being home to various nomadic cultures, even forming a Khanate of their own in the 15th century.
In fairness to those who don’t know or think about it, neither Kazakhstan nor the other Central Asian countries are often reported about in mainstream news, being overshadowed by the giants they have as neighbours, notably China, Russia and Iran.