The site is massive, with 72 historically-used launch sites spread across it; of course, only a few remain in operation.
Due to the interstate complexities of the site, it is located in Kazakhstan, but leased by the Russian Federation for a price of USD 115M / year to the Kazakh government. This lease will expire in 2050.
Originally organized by the Soviet Ministry of Defense in 1955 to support development of the R-7 (Semyorka) ballistic missile, it would also be the primary launch site of the Russian space program during the Cold War with the United States. A closed city was built nearby to provide living quarters for the many staff who worked at the site.
