Kazakhstan is the largest country in Central Asia and one of the most sparsely populated in the world. The people known as Kazakhs, a mix of Turkic and Mongol nomadic tribes, have inhabited the region since the 16th century. The area was conquered by Russia in the 18th century, and Kazakhstan became a Soviet Republic in 1936. The country became independent in 1991 with the collapse of the Soviet Union. Kazakhstan is endowed with considerable mineral resources, including significant oil and natural gas reserves, as well as vast areas of arable land. The country has made significant progress in transforming its economy since its independence in 1991, and its economic performance has been impressive since the late 1990s.