Information about Kyrgyzstan
General information about Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan – is the Central Asian country of an incredible natural beauty nomadic traditions. Unlike its Himalayan or South American counterparts of literary fame, Kyrgyzstan – or The Kyrgyz Republic to give it its official title – is real, but its beauty and untamed wildness are the stuff of oral legends.
It is said that everything in life can be found in Kyrgyzstan both physically and geographically. There are flat steppes, arid deserts, green, rolling foothills, plunging ravines with turbulent, frothing rivers, waterfalls cascading from the sides of sheer mountain faces, wondrous nut and fir forests full of some of the most beautiful – and endangered – species in the world, endless grass-covered high mountain pastures, alpine meadows that make Switzerland’s meadows look like small well-tended parks and staggeringly beautiful snow-covered mountain peaks sitting atop some of the most difficult – and rewarding – climbs in the mountaineering world. This is a land where vultures and eagles soar.
Seeing is believing and the only way you can ever experience the true delights of this small, secluded mountainous country – by Asian standards – is to visit it. Words alone cannot do justice to the variety of sights and sounds – and truly awesome silences – that await you.
It is said that everything in life can be found in Kyrgyzstan both physically and geographically. There are flat steppes, arid deserts, green, rolling foothills, plunging ravines with turbulent, frothing rivers, waterfalls cascading from the sides of sheer mountain faces, wondrous nut and fir forests full of some of the most beautiful – and endangered – species in the world, endless grass-covered high mountain pastures, alpine meadows that make Switzerland’s meadows look like small well-tended parks and staggeringly beautiful snow-covered mountain peaks sitting atop some of the most difficult – and rewarding – climbs in the mountaineering world. This is a land where vultures and eagles soar.
Seeing is believing and the only way you can ever experience the true delights of this small, secluded mountainous country – by Asian standards – is to visit it. Words alone cannot do justice to the variety of sights and sounds – and truly awesome silences – that await you.
Geographical position
Kyrgyzstan is a landlocked country in Central Asia, bordering Kazakhstan, China, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. It lies between latitudes 39° and 44° N, and longitudes 69° and 81° E. It is farther from an ocean than any other country in the world although it does not contain the absolute farthest point from any ocean. That spot lies in the Xinjiang region of Northwestern China. The mountainous region of the Tian Shan covers over 80% of the country (Kyrgyzstan is occasionally referred to as “Switzerland of Central Asia”, as a result) with the remainder made up of valleys and basins.
In Kyrgyzstan there are about 2,000 lakes located at different heights above sea level. The largest lake in Kyrgyzstan and the second largest mountain lake in the world after Lake Titikaki is Lake Issyk-Kul, which is called the “Pearl” of Kyrgyzstan. Crystal clear water, warming up to 24 degrees in the summer, attracts many tourists both inside Kyrgyzstan and from neighboring countries. The maximum depth of Issyk-Kul reaches 702 meters. Issyk-Kul Lake is located in the northeast of the Tien Shan.
The highest peaks are in the Kokshaal-Too ridge, forming the border with China. Victory Peak, at an altitude of 7,439 m (24,406 ft), is the highest point in Kyrgyzstan and is considered by geologists to be the northernmost peak at an altitude of more than 7,000 m (22,966 ft) in the world.
Kyrgyzstan has significant metal reserves, including gold and rare earth metals. Due to the country’s predominantly mountainous terrain, less than 8% of the land is cultivated, and these lands are concentrated in the northern lowlands and outskirts of the Ferghana Valley.
Bishkek is the capital and largest city with a population of more than 1 million people. The second largest city is the ancient city of Osh, located in the Ferghana Valley near the border with Uzbekistan. Osh city is called the southern capital.
In Kyrgyzstan there are about 2,000 lakes located at different heights above sea level. The largest lake in Kyrgyzstan and the second largest mountain lake in the world after Lake Titikaki is Lake Issyk-Kul, which is called the “Pearl” of Kyrgyzstan. Crystal clear water, warming up to 24 degrees in the summer, attracts many tourists both inside Kyrgyzstan and from neighboring countries. The maximum depth of Issyk-Kul reaches 702 meters. Issyk-Kul Lake is located in the northeast of the Tien Shan.
The highest peaks are in the Kokshaal-Too ridge, forming the border with China. Victory Peak, at an altitude of 7,439 m (24,406 ft), is the highest point in Kyrgyzstan and is considered by geologists to be the northernmost peak at an altitude of more than 7,000 m (22,966 ft) in the world.
Kyrgyzstan has significant metal reserves, including gold and rare earth metals. Due to the country’s predominantly mountainous terrain, less than 8% of the land is cultivated, and these lands are concentrated in the northern lowlands and outskirts of the Ferghana Valley.
Bishkek is the capital and largest city with a population of more than 1 million people. The second largest city is the ancient city of Osh, located in the Ferghana Valley near the border with Uzbekistan. Osh city is called the southern capital.
Time
GMT + 6 hours – The country does not follow the Daylight Saving Time.
Climate
The mountainous terrain, distance from the sea and desert outskirts give Kyrgyzstan what can only be described as a harsh continental climate, with a big changes in temperature occuring over short periods of time. The wettest place is the west slope of the Fergana Range with 1,000 mm, whilst the driest is Balykchy on the western tip of Issyk-Kul Lake with 100 mm of precipitation. The average temperature throughout the country in January varies between – 4°C to – 14°C and in July between + 12°C and + 40°C and there is an average of 247 days of sunshine a year.
Landscapes
The fact that 94% of Kyrgyzstan is covered by mountains produces great variations in the geographical, topographical appearance of the country. The lowest valley floor is itself 500 metres above sea level and the highest peaks soar to more than 7,000 metres above sea level in the mighty Tien Shan Range. These mighty peaks are world renowned and are part of the exclusive list of 7,000 metre plus peaks of the world – Pobeda Peak (Victory Peak) 7,439m, Lenin Peak 7,134m and the legendary Khan-Tengry (7010m) – the white/pink marble pyramid held sacred by Kyrgyz through the ages.
Mountain lakes abound and arguably one of the most beautiful series of lakes anywhere in the world can be found at Sary Chelek in a national park. To see this is to behold the true beauty of nature. The ‘Pearl of the Heavenly Mountains’ – or Issyk-Kul Lake – is the second largest high mountain lake in the world, second only to Lake Titicaca in size and is so big it has its own unique biosphere. Although forests cover only a small area of Kyrgyzstan the truly unique indigenous walnut tree forests of Arslan-bob are warrant a visit on their own.
Mountain lakes abound and arguably one of the most beautiful series of lakes anywhere in the world can be found at Sary Chelek in a national park. To see this is to behold the true beauty of nature. The ‘Pearl of the Heavenly Mountains’ – or Issyk-Kul Lake – is the second largest high mountain lake in the world, second only to Lake Titicaca in size and is so big it has its own unique biosphere. Although forests cover only a small area of Kyrgyzstan the truly unique indigenous walnut tree forests of Arslan-bob are warrant a visit on their own.
Population
Official statistics have about 6 million inhabitants. Among them are Kyrgyz, Uzbeks, Russians, Ukrainians, Kazakhs, Koreans, Tatars, Tajiks, Uighurs, Dungans. The average density throughout the country is 21 people per square kilometer.
Language
Kyrgyzstan is one of the former Soviet republics in Central Asia, which has retained Russian as the official language, and Kyrgyz as the state language.
Kyrgyz is a member of the Turkic language group. It was written in the Arabic alphabet until the twentieth century. Latin writing was introduced and adopted in 1928, and then was replaced by Cyrillic in 1941.
Kyrgyz is a member of the Turkic language group. It was written in the Arabic alphabet until the twentieth century. Latin writing was introduced and adopted in 1928, and then was replaced by Cyrillic in 1941.
Religion
Islam is the dominant religion in Kyrgyzstan: 80% of the population are Muslims.
Political system
Kyrgyzstan has its own Constitution, President, Prime Minister, Cabinet of Ministers and Parliament (Jogorku Kenesh).
The President holds the reins of power via the President’s Administration and can dissolve the Cabinet of Ministers at will, while the Prime Minister has very limited, almost token powers.
The President holds the reins of power via the President’s Administration and can dissolve the Cabinet of Ministers at will, while the Prime Minister has very limited, almost token powers.
Administrative divisions
Oblast – Kyrgyzstan is divided into 7 Oblasts (provinces) each with its own Gubernator (Governer) and each oblast is further subdivided into Rayons, (districts), with 40 of them in total. The capital Bishkek is recognised as a separate entity, and has its own independent city administration.
Economy
After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the economy has undergone enormous changes and continues to grow. The centralized economy has been completely replaced by a free market economy. Agriculture has been and remains the largest area in the economy.
Due to the abundance of mountain rivers and water resources, hydropower is developed in Kyrgyzstan. Electricity export continues to grow every year and is limited only by the limited capacity of BT lines from the country. However, unlike other Central Asian countries, Kyrgyzstan does not have large oil and gas reserves. There are large reserves of coal, but at present access to them is very difficult due to their location in mountainous areas, and transportation costs make them impossible to sell. There are also large gold deposits in Kyrgyzstan. Gold is one of the demanded resources, and currently there are more than 130 mining companies in the country.
Tourism is a dynamically developing area of the Kyrgyz economy. Every year, more and more guests and tourists visit Kyrgyzstan.
Due to the abundance of mountain rivers and water resources, hydropower is developed in Kyrgyzstan. Electricity export continues to grow every year and is limited only by the limited capacity of BT lines from the country. However, unlike other Central Asian countries, Kyrgyzstan does not have large oil and gas reserves. There are large reserves of coal, but at present access to them is very difficult due to their location in mountainous areas, and transportation costs make them impossible to sell. There are also large gold deposits in Kyrgyzstan. Gold is one of the demanded resources, and currently there are more than 130 mining companies in the country.
Tourism is a dynamically developing area of the Kyrgyz economy. Every year, more and more guests and tourists visit Kyrgyzstan.