This is an orbital view of the southwest region of Kazakhstan from the ESA's Envisat.. You can see the province of Mangistau, and the Caspian Sea. The waters of the Mangyshlak Peninsula hold some of the nation's most important mineral deposits, like iron, zinc, copper, coal, uranium, and, of course, gold. As well, the sea floor contains a wealth of oil and gas deposits. Kazakhstan is 2.7 million square kilometres, making it one of the largest countries on the planet.

Image Credit: ESA/MERIS

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