Kyrgyzstan
Formal name: The Republic of Kyrgyzstan. Short name: Kyrgyzstan.
Term for Citizens: Kyrgyzstani.
Capital: Bishkek.
Date of Independence: August 31, 1991.
Area: 198,500 square kilometres.
Time: GMT+5 (GMT+6 from March to October).
Topography: The Tian Shan, Pamir and Alay Mountain Ranges dominate the territory; average elevation is about 2,750 meters; the mountains are separated by deep valleys and glaciers; there are lakes and fast-flowing rivers draining from mountains.
Climate: Continental, chiefly determined by mountains with hot summer, bitterly cold winter.
Population: 5.508 million people by 2011; population density is 22.6; growth rate is 1.43% a year; 52.4% of population are Kyrgyz, 18% Russians, 13% Uzbeks, 16.6% others.
Languages: Kyrgyz, Russian are official languages.
Religion: 75% are Muslims (mostly Sunni) with heavy influence of tribal religions, 20% are Russian Orthodox, other 5%.
Education: Compulsory 9 years education. There are 26 universities.
Health: Health care is free of charge. Some private practices have been developed recently.
Culture: The country has rich culture based on nomadic traditions.
Major industries: Gold and rare earth metals mining, metallurgy, small machinery, electronics, agriculture and food processing.
Major trading partners: countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), China, Turkey, UK, Germany, the USA, and Cuba.
Ecology: Kyrgyzstan is a country remarkable for its natural beauty. Nevertheless there are some serious problems because of inefficient use and pollution of water resources, land degradation.
Money: Som (KGS).
Popular tourist destinations: Ala-Archa Canyon, Issyk-Kul Lake, trekking around Issyk-Kul, Bishkek, Osh city, Torugart Pass (border with China), horse trekking, winter sports (peaks Pobedy, Lenin, Khan-Tengry).
Situated in the lap of Tien Shan mountain range, Kyrgyz Republic occupies mountainous territory in Central Asia with Chui river valley playing a vital role in the emergence of a settled nomadic life. Kyrgyz are a group of sedentary nomadic tribes who once came from the north. It was the legendary Manas who united these tribes into a confederation to form a Kyrgyz nation. The history of Kyrgystan goes back to the bronze age and the first settlers are believed to be the Scythians as it is evident from various burial sites. After Turkic speaking tribal groups, there are signs of Chinese and Tibetan inroads in the country. In 7th century AD we hear about Buddhist rulers of Chinese and Tibetan origin, replaced by the Kara Khanids making Balashgun as the seat of governance. Kara Khanids followed by the Mongols, then governed by Khans of Kokand till the rapid rise of Manchu Dynasty in early 19th century. The spreading arm of imperial Russia established Tsarist authority in 1876. Like other Central Asian nations Kyrgyzstan became Soviet SSR till the breakup the union and declaration of independence in 1991.
Term for Citizens: Kyrgyzstani.
Capital: Bishkek.
Date of Independence: August 31, 1991.
Area: 198,500 square kilometres.
Time: GMT+5 (GMT+6 from March to October).
Topography: The Tian Shan, Pamir and Alay Mountain Ranges dominate the territory; average elevation is about 2,750 meters; the mountains are separated by deep valleys and glaciers; there are lakes and fast-flowing rivers draining from mountains.
Climate: Continental, chiefly determined by mountains with hot summer, bitterly cold winter.
Population: 5.508 million people by 2011; population density is 22.6; growth rate is 1.43% a year; 52.4% of population are Kyrgyz, 18% Russians, 13% Uzbeks, 16.6% others.
Languages: Kyrgyz, Russian are official languages.
Religion: 75% are Muslims (mostly Sunni) with heavy influence of tribal religions, 20% are Russian Orthodox, other 5%.
Education: Compulsory 9 years education. There are 26 universities.
Health: Health care is free of charge. Some private practices have been developed recently.
Culture: The country has rich culture based on nomadic traditions.
Major industries: Gold and rare earth metals mining, metallurgy, small machinery, electronics, agriculture and food processing.
Major trading partners: countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), China, Turkey, UK, Germany, the USA, and Cuba.
Ecology: Kyrgyzstan is a country remarkable for its natural beauty. Nevertheless there are some serious problems because of inefficient use and pollution of water resources, land degradation.
Money: Som (KGS).
Popular tourist destinations: Ala-Archa Canyon, Issyk-Kul Lake, trekking around Issyk-Kul, Bishkek, Osh city, Torugart Pass (border with China), horse trekking, winter sports (peaks Pobedy, Lenin, Khan-Tengry).
Situated in the lap of Tien Shan mountain range, Kyrgyz Republic occupies mountainous territory in Central Asia with Chui river valley playing a vital role in the emergence of a settled nomadic life. Kyrgyz are a group of sedentary nomadic tribes who once came from the north. It was the legendary Manas who united these tribes into a confederation to form a Kyrgyz nation. The history of Kyrgystan goes back to the bronze age and the first settlers are believed to be the Scythians as it is evident from various burial sites. After Turkic speaking tribal groups, there are signs of Chinese and Tibetan inroads in the country. In 7th century AD we hear about Buddhist rulers of Chinese and Tibetan origin, replaced by the Kara Khanids making Balashgun as the seat of governance. Kara Khanids followed by the Mongols, then governed by Khans of Kokand till the rapid rise of Manchu Dynasty in early 19th century. The spreading arm of imperial Russia established Tsarist authority in 1876. Like other Central Asian nations Kyrgyzstan became Soviet SSR till the breakup the union and declaration of independence in 1991.