This collection was created in 1999, a few years after Kazakstan declared full independence from the former Soviet Union.  Aral Tobe village near Lake Balkash holds descendants of prisoners from Stalinist times, Russians,  and Muslim Kazaks who spend summer in their yurts. Abandoned structures from nomadic times lie in the desert.

The collection was originally made for Time Life book series.

For license to use any of the photos, contact www.topfoto.co.uk or Bridget direct.