KSSR

KSSR = Kazakh SSR (1936-1991), 2nd largest USSR republic. Capital Alma-Ata. Area 2.7M km², pop 16.5M in 1989. Created from Kirghiz ASSR (1920) → Kazak ASSR (1925) → union republic 5 Dec 1936. Famine 1930-33 killed 1-2M. Virgin Lands brought Russians, Kazakhs became minority. Home to Baikonur Cosmodrome (Sputnik, Gagarin). Jeltoqsan riots 1986. Sovereignty 25 Oct 1990, independence 16 Dec 1991 - last to leave USSR.