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A virtual guide to Kyrgyzstan. Get an overview of Kyrgyzstan's art, culture, people, environment, geography, history, economy and its government.
Beside a country profile with facts and figures, this page offers maps, statistics, weather information, and links to sources that provide you with information about this Central Asian nation, e.g.: official web sites of Kyrgyzstan, addresses of Kyrgyz and foreign embassies, domestic airlines, local news, country guides with extensive travel and tourism information on accommodation, tourist attractions, events and more.

 

Kyrgyz Republic | Кыргыз Республикасы | Kyrgyz Respublikasy

Country Profile



Kyrgyzstan Flag
Flag of Kyrgyzstan

Background:
A Central Asian country of incredible natural beauty and proud nomadic traditions, Kyrgyzstan was annexed by Russia in 1864; it achieved independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.
Current concerns include: privatization of state-owned enterprises, expansion of democracy and political freedoms, inter-ethnic relations, and terrorism.
(Source: CIA - The World Factbook)

border countries: China, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan
 
Where in Central Asia is Kyrgyzstan?

Official Name:
Kyrgyz Respublikasy
short form: Кыргызстан
int'l long form: Kyrgyz Republic
int'l short form: Kyrgyzstan
formerly: Kirghizia

ISO Country Code: kg

Time:
Local Time = UTC +6h (Bishkek)
Actual Time: Sat-Apr-20  17:53

Country Calling Code: +996

Capital City: Bishkek (formerly Frunze, 825,000)

Other Cities: Osh, Cholpon Ata, Karakol.


Government:
Type: Republic; Bicameral parliament with 60 deputies in upper (legislative) chamber, 45 in lower (representative) chamber.
Administrative divisions: 7 oblasts (singular - oblast): Batken oblast (Batken), Chui oblast (Bishkek), Jalalabad oblast (Jalalabad), Naryn oblast (Naryn), Osh oblast (Osh), Talas oblast (Talas), Yssyk-Kul oblast (Karakol).
Independence: 31 August 1991 (from the Soviet Union).
Constitution: 5 May 1993.

Geography:
Location: Central Asia, landlocked, west of China south of Kazakhstan.
Area: 200,000 km² (77,220 sq. mi.)
Terrain: Mountainous, Tien Shan mountain range covering approximately 95%; some desert regions.
Lowest point: Kara-Daryya (Karadar'ya) 132 m.
Highest point: Jengish Chokusu (Pik Pobedy) 7,439 m.

Climate: Dry continental to polar in high Tien Shan; subtropical in southwest (Fergana Valley); temperate in northern foothill zone.

People:
Nationality: Kyrgyzstani.
Population: 5.5 million (2012)
Ethnic groups: Kyrgyz 52.4%, Russian 18%, Uzbek 12.9%, Ukrainian 2.5%, German 2.4%, other 11.8%.
Main religions:Islam, 75%; Russian Orthodox, 20%; other, 5%.
Languages: Kyrgyz (official); Russian is de facto second language of communication.
Literacy: 97%

Natural resources: Abundant hydropower; significant deposits of gold and rare earth metals; locally exploitable coal, oil, and natural gas; other deposits of nepheline, mercury, bismuth, lead, and zinc.

Agriculture products: Tobacco, cotton, potatoes, vegetables, grapes, fruits and berries; sheep, goats, cattle, wool.

Industries: Small machinery, textiles, food processing, cement, shoes, sawn logs, refrigerators, furniture, electric motors, gold, rare earth metals.


Currency: Som (KGS)
 
Source: Government of the Kyrgyz Republic and other.

Kyrgyzstan in Figures
Kyrgyzstan key statistical data.

Note: External links will open in a new browser window.

Due to the political situation in the Kyrgyz Republic some official links are suspended.

Official Sites of Kyrgyzstan

Interim government of Kyrgyz Republic
Government of the Kyrgyz Republic (in Kyrgyz and Russian).

President of the Kyrghyz Republic
The Presiden's office.

Ministry of Economic Development, Industry and Trade
Official website with general information about the Ministry


Diplomatic Missions
The Permanent Mission of the Kyrgyz Republic to UN
Site of the UN office/Embassy of the Kyrgyz Republic in Geneva.
Kyrgyz Republic Embassy to the USA
Official website of the Embassy of the Kyrgyz Republic in the USA.

Statistics
National Statistical Committee
Provides statistical information and services.


Maps


Map of Kyrgyzstan
Political Map of Kyrgyzstan.
Administrative Map of Kyrgyzstan
Map showing the provinces or regions (oblasttar (областтар) of Kyrgyzstan.

Google Earth Google Earth Kyrgyzstan
Searchable map and satellite view of Kyrgyzstan.
Google Earth Google Earth Bishkek
Searchable map and satellite view of Kyrgyzstan's capital city.
Google Earth Google Earth Osh
Searchable map and satellite view of Kyrgyzstan's second largest city.


profile Caucasus and Central Asia Map
Map of Central Asia and the Caucasus region.
profile Map of Asia
Reference Map of Asia.

 

Kyrgyzstan News

AKI press
Kyrgyzstan News Agency.
Kabar News Agency
Kyrgyz National Agency of Telecommunication and Information.
Moia Stolitsa Novaia MSN
Private daily (in Russian).
Res Publica
Kyrgyz News (in Kyrgyz).
Vecherniy Bishkek
Bishkek, daily (in Russian).
 
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Arts & Culture

Arts & Crafts
Images of of traditional Kyrgyz Arts and Crafts.

KyrgyzMusic.com
The site celebrates the traditional music of the Kyrgyz people of Central Asia, vocal and instrumental music, including audio samples (MP3 format).

Manas: The Kyrgyz Epic
Article about the Kyrgyz epic. Manas, is born out of the heroic efforts of Kyrgyz tribal lords who, in AD 840, successfully fight the Uigurs and destroy their capital of Bei-tin.

Manas
Site about the "Illiad" of steppe tribes, the epos "Manas", and the special skilled Manaschis its narrators, main keeper and spreader.

 
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Instagram

Business & Economy

Ministry of Economic Development, Industry and Trade
Official website with general information about the Ministry.


National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic
Central Bank of Kyrgyzstan.

Kyrgyz Stock Exchange
Official website (in Russian)

Kyrgyzstan Development Gateway
Information and forum for the economic development of Kyrgyzstan.

Transportation
AltynAir
The official carrier of the government of the Kyrgyz Republic.
 
 

Destination Kyrgyzstan - Travel and Tour Guides

Discover Kyrgyzstan: accommodation, hotels, attractions, festivals, events, tourist boards, biking, skiing, hiking, climbing, cruising, diving, tours and much more.

Kyrgyz Community Based Tourism (CBT)
Site of Kyrgyz Community Based Tourism Association "Hospitality Kyrgyzstan" with information about the country and Community Based Tourism.

Travel
CAT Corporation
Central Asian Tourism Corporation (Kyrghyzstan).
Dostuck Trekking
Site of the Kyrgyz-British Joint Company.
The Celestial Mountains Tour Company
Presents Kyrgyzstan and the Silk Road.
Tien-Shan Travel
Travel agency in Kyrgyzstan.

Images of Kyrgyzstan
Photos by Jonathan Barth.


Hotels
Hotels in Kyrgyzstan
Find a Hotel in Kyrgyzstan.
 

Travel and Tour Consumer Information
 

Education


Bishkek Humanities University
Information on the University by IATP
International University of Kyrgyzstan
Homepage of the University (Russian)
Kyrgyz-Russian Slavic University
Established in 1992
Kyrgyz-Turkish Manas University
Founded by Kyrgyzstan and Turkey in 1995
The National Library of the Kyrgyz Republic
A description of the library.by IATP
 
 

Environment & Nature

EKOIS
The Dutch NGO Milieukontakt International supported EKOIS project, which focuses on the development of long-term cooperation between environmental NGOs in Kyrgyzstan (in Russian).

Eurasia Foundation of Central Asia (EFCA)
NGO for the support of local initiatives in civic engagement, private enterprise, education and public administration.

NIS Environmental Organizations by Country
Information about environmental NGOs in the Newly Independent States (former Soviet republic).
 
 

History

Kyrgyz Republic: History & Government
Page about History and Government of the Kyrgyz Republic.
History of Kyrgyzstan and the Great Silk Road
Article by CBT Kyrgyzstan.
History of Kyrgyzstan
Wikipedia entry for history of Kyrgyzstan.

 
 

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Countries in Central Asia:
Afghanistan | Iran | Kazakhstan | Tajikistan | Turkmenistan | Uzbekistan

Countries in South Central Asia:
 Bangladesh | Bhutan | India | Maldives | Nepal | Pakistan | Sri Lanka
 
 
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