Old Map of Kazakhstan, 1967: Almaty, Karaganda, Shymkent, Lake Balkhash, Aral Sea

This 1967 map of the northern and eastern regions of the USSR in Kazakhstan, published by the Polish Army Topography Service, is a detailed political and physical map that provides a comprehensive overview of the region's geography and political landscape. The map covers almost all of modern-day Kazakhstan, excluding only the westernmost parts of the country.

The map features a wealth of information, including the locations of cities, towns, villages, rivers, lakes, mountains, and other geographical features. It also includes political boundaries, such as international borders and administrative divisions within Kazakhstan. The map's scale is 1:2,500,000, which allows for a high level of detail while still providing a broad overview of the region.

One of the most striking features of the map is the vast expanse of the Kazakh Steppe, which dominates the central and eastern parts of the country. This vast, flat grassland is interrupted by occasional mountain ranges, such as the Tien Shan Mountains in the southeast and the Ural Mountains in the west. The map also shows the Aral Sea to the southwest and Lake Balkhash in the southeast, two of the largest bodies of water in Central Asia.

The map also highlights the region's rich history and cultural heritage. Numerous ancient cities and towns are marked on the map, including Almaty, the former capital of Kazakhstan, and Shymkent, one of the country's largest cities. The map also shows the locations of several important historical events, such as the site of the first Soviet nuclear test in 1949 and the Baikonur Cosmodrome, the launch site for the first human spaceflight in 1961.

Overall, this map is a valuable resource for anyone interested in the geography, history, and culture of Kazakhstan. Its detailed and accurate depiction of the region makes it an essential tool for researchers, educators, and travelers alike.

Towns and Cities (ordered by modern day population)

• Almaty (1,958,000)
• Karaganda (497,000)
• Shymkent (1,002,000)
• Taraz (330,000)
• Pavlodar (329,000)
• Semey (307,000)
• Ust-Kamenogorsk (303,000)
• Aktobe (494,000)
• Atyrau (291,000)
• Kyzylorda (250,000)
• Petropavl (211,000)
• Kostanay (210,000)
• Rudny (109,000)
• Temirtau (179,000)
• Zhezkazgan (86,000)
• Balkhash (78,000)
• Saran (49,000)
• Ekibastuz (127,000)
• Lisakovsk (34,000)
• Stepnogorsk (47,000)
• Taldykorgan (123,000)
• Shakhtersk (46,000)
• Aksay (32,000)
• Arys (42,000)
• Ayagoz (38,000)
• Kapchagay (41,000)
• Lenger (25,000)
• Makat (23,000)
• Satpayev (45,000)
• Shchuchinsk (48,000)
• Zyryanovsk (39,000)

National Parks

• Bayanaul National Park
• Burabay National Park
• Ile-Alatau National Park
• Karkaraly National Park
• Katon-Karagay National Park

Geographical Features and Natural Landmarks

• Lake Balkhash
• Caspian Sea
• Ili River
• Irtysh River
• Kazakh Uplands
• Mangyshlak Peninsula
• Saryarka Steppe
• Tien Shan Mountains
• Turgai Depression
• Ustyurt Plateau

Historical Events (that occurred in the 20 years prior to the original publishing date of this map)

• 1957: Launch of Sputnik, the first artificial satellite to orbit the Earth, from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.
• 1960: A powerful earthquake strikes the city of Tashkent in neighboring Uzbekistan, causing widespread damage and loss of life.
• 1961: Yuri Gagarin becomes the first human to travel into space, launching from the Baikonur Cosmodrome.
• 1963: The Limited Nuclear Test Ban Treaty is signed, prohibiting nuclear weapons tests in the atmosphere, outer space, and underwater.
• 1965: The Soviet Union launches the Voskhod 2 spacecraft, carrying the first multi-person crew into space.

Please double check the images to make sure that a specific town or place is shown on this map. You can also get in touch and ask us to check the map for you.

This map looks great at every size, but I always recommend going for a larger size if you have space. That way you can easily make out all of the details.

This map looks amazing at sizes all the way up to 50in (125cm). If you are looking for a larger map, please get in touch.

The model in the listing images is holding the 18x24in (45x60cm) version of this map.

The fifth listing image shows an example of my map personalisation service.

If you’re looking for something slightly different, check out my collection of the best old maps to see if something else catches your eye.

Please contact me to check if a certain location, landmark or feature is shown on this map.

This would make a wonderful birthday, Christmas, Father's Day, work leaving, anniversary or housewarming gift for someone from the areas covered by this map.

This map is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or you can buy it framed. The frame is a nice, simple black frame that suits most aesthetics. Please get in touch if you'd like a different frame colour or material. My frames are glazed with super-clear museum-grade acrylic (perspex/acrylite), which is significantly less reflective than glass, safer, and will always arrive in perfect condition.

My standard frame is a gallery style black ash hardwood frame. It is simple and quite modern looking. On maps up to 36 inches (91cm) the frame is 1.5-3cm (0.6in to 1in) wide. I use thicker frames on larger maps - usually between 35 and 60mm (1.4in to 2.4in).

In all cases I use super-clear acrylic (perspex/acrylite) for the frame glass. It's lighter and safer than glass - and it looks better, as the reflectivity is lower.

All frames are provided "ready to hang", with either a string or brackets on the back. Very large frames will have heavy duty hanging plates and/or a mounting baton. If you have any questions, please get in touch.

See some examples of my framed maps and framed canvas maps.

A few different frame colours are available for free (black, brown, white, oak and antique gold). Custom framing and mounting/matting is available if you're looking for something else.

Alternatively, I can also supply old maps on canvas, foam board, cotton rag and other materials.

If you want to frame your map yourself, please read my map size guide first.

For most orders, delivery time is about 3 working days. Personalised and custom made maps take longer, as I have to do the personalisation and send it to you for approval, which usually takes a day or two.

Please note that for larger framed orders (over 40in/100cm), and some other framed sizes, the delivery time will be closer to 7-10 days.

If you need your order to arrive by a certain date, please contact me before you order so that we can find the best way of making sure you get your order in time.

I have specialist printing and framing facilities in 17 countries around the world. This means your map will be made locally, which cuts down on delivery time and reduces the chance of your map being damaged during delivery. There won't be any extra taxes or duties to pay, and we'll put less CO2 into the air.

All of my maps are well packaged and sent in a rugged tube if unframed, or surrounded by foam if framed.

I try to send out all maps within 1 or 2 days of receiving your order, though some products (like face masks or mugs) can take longer to make.

If you select Express Delivery at checkout your order we will prioritise your order and send it out by 1-day courier (Fedex, DHL, UPS, Parcelforce).

We can sometimes do next-day delivery if you order before 10am. But usually it's best to contact me first before you order.

Read my full delivery and local production guide

My maps are extremely high quality reproductions of original maps.

I source original, extremely rare maps from libraries, auction houses and private collections around the world, restore them at my London workshop, and then use specialist giclée inks and printers to create beautiful maps that look even better than the original.

My maps are printed on acid-free archival matte (not glossy) paper that feels very high quality and almost like card. In technical terms the paper weight/thickness is 10mil/200gsm. It's perfect for framing.

I print with Epson ultrachrome giclée UV fade resistant pigment inks - some of the best inks you can find.

I can also make maps on canvas, cotton rag and other exotic materials.

Learn more about how the Unique Maps Co. sources and restores old maps

Map personalisation

If you're looking for the perfect anniversary or housewarming gift, I can personalise your map to make it truly unique. For example, I can add a short message, or highlight an important location, or add your family's coat of arms.

The options are almost infinite. Please see my map personalisation page for some wonderful examples of what's possible.

To order a personalised map, select "personalise your map" before adding it to your basket.

Get in touch if you're looking for more complex customisations and personalisations.

If you are not happy with your unique map for any reason, contact me for a no-quibble refund.

I am very confident you will like your old map. I have been doing this since 1984. I'm a 5-star Etsy seller. I have sold tens of thousands of maps and have over 1,500 real 5-star reviews.

I use a unique process to restore my maps that is massively time consuming and labour intensive. Hunting down the original maps can take months. I use state of the art and eye-wateringly expensive technology to scan and restore the maps. As a result, I guarantee my maps are a cut above the rest - that's why I can offer a no-quibble refund.

Almost all of my maps look amazing at large sizes (200cm, 6.5ft+) and I can frame and deliver them to you as well, via special oversized courier. Contact me to discuss your specific needs.