Kazakhstan: History

Mongol tribes invade Kazakhstan, led by Gengis Khan.

With the formation of the Kazakh khanate, the Kazakhs emerge as a distinct ethnic group.

Kazakhstan becomes a full union republic of the USSR after being initiated as an autonomous republic of the USSR in 1920.

Kazakhstan declares independence from the Soviet Union and joins the Commonwealth of Independent States. 

Kazakhstan is admitted into the United Nations and the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe. 

A pact is signed with Russia for economic and military cooperation.

The Kazakh capital is moved from Almaty to Akmola, which is renamed Astana in 1998. Also major oil agreements with China are secured. 

Kazakhstan joins China, Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan in launching the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) to help promote trade and fight ethnic and religious militancy.

A deal is signed with China for the construction of a 620 mile (1,000 km) oil pipeline on the Chinese border which begins construction in 2005.

France and Kazakhstan sign energy and business deals worth $6 billion.

Kazakhstan becomes the first former Soviet state to chair the Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) security and rights group.

Kazakhstan signs an agreement with Russia and Belarus to create the Eurasian Economic Union to create a shared market and integrate their economic policies. 

President Nazarbayev steps down, but retains a role as chairman of the National Security Council. 

President Tokayev removes Nazarbayev from his remaining posts.