Imagine standing alone on an open plain under a clear blue sky. A grass ocean stretches for miles as far as the eye can see and there isnot another person in sight. This is the stunning view of the mostrecognisable landscape of Kazakhstan - the steppe.The Kazakh steppe covers almost 804, 500 square kilometres and makes upone third of the country. One of the most extreme environments in the world, this wild, harsh grassland has no natural shelter from the strong winds andbitter cold that come from the north. Temperatures in the winter drop to afreezing -35° C and in the summer it can get as hot as 35º C.Despite the difficult climate, the steppe is a treasure of agricultural products andnatural resources. From meat, milk, grain and vegetables to the raw materialsfor industry such as coal, zinc and lead, it provides everything necessary forKazakhstan's cities.The steppe is also the habitat of a lot of different unique species of wildlife, from the steppe pika to the critically endangered Saiga antelope. The steppewinds even bring fresh clean air that clears away the pollution in the cities.The steppe is the birthplace of Kazakh culture. The difficulties people facedthroughout the years living on the steppe and adapting to its environment andtemperatures shaped their deep respect for nature. But like a lot of places inthe world, the steppe now faces the challenge of climate change. However, the importance of the steppe to their identity continues to inspire the Kazakhsto preserve it for future generations.ЭТО ТЕКСТ