About Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan, officially the Kyrgyz Republic, is a state in the northeast of Central Asia, mainly within the western and central part of the Tien Shan.

It borders Kazakhstan in the north, Uzbekistan in the west, Tajikistan in the southwest, China in the southeast and east. Kyrgyzstan has no access to the sea. More than three quarters of the territory of Kyrgyzstan is occupied by mountains. Victory Peak, 7439 m high, is the highest point of the country (the northernmost seven-thousandth on earth / from the Chinese side, Victory Peak is called Mount Tomur)

Population: 4.7 million people (2000).

Official language: Kyrgyz.

The official language of communication is Russian.

Capital: Bishkek.

Monetary unit: som.

Member of the UN and OSCE since 1992.

The territory of Kyrgyzstan is located within two mountain systems. The north-eastern part of it, the largest in area, lies within the Tien Shan, the south-western part lies within the Pamir-Alai. The state borders of Kyrgyzstan run mainly along the crests of mountain ranges. Only in the north and southwest, in the densely populated Chui and Ferghana valleys, along the foothills of the mountains and foothill plains.

Kyrgyzstan is a multinational republic. The most significant part of the population is Kyrgyz (about 50%). Until the mid-20s of the XX century they were called Karakirgiz or wild-stone (mountain) Kirghiz, and up to the 90s — Kirghiz. Quite large groups of Kyrgyz live in Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, as well as in the western regions of China and the eastern regions of Afghanistan. According to their anthropological appearance, the Kyrgyz, like their Kazakh neighbors, belong to the South Siberian type. They are characterized by medium height, dark, often black, straight hair, brown eyes, a flat, wide face and a Mongoloid eye section. The Kyrgyz language belongs to the Kyrgyz-Kipchak group of the eastern branch of the Turkic languages. Modern Kyrgyz writing is based on the Cyrillic alphabet.

In addition to the Kyrgyz, Kyrgyzstan has a large community of Uzbeks (about 13%), who settled mainly in the south of the republic. A significant part of the population is made up of Russians and Russian-speaking peoples living in the north (about 25%). From other peoples, Uighurs, Kazakhs, Tajiks, Dungans, Tatars, Germans, Jews, etc. live here.

Bishkek is the capital of the Republic of Kyrgyzstan. The city is located in the north of the republic, in the Chui Valley. It is an important cultural and economic area.

Kyrgyzstan is a republic. The President is the head of state and the executive branch. Legislative power belongs to the Parliament — the Supreme Council (Jokorku Kenesh).

On August 31, 1991, during the collapse of the USSR, the independence of Kyrgyzstan was proclaimed. On May 5, 1993, the first Constitution of the Kyrgyz Republic as an independent sovereign state was adopted, the official name of the country was changed: the Kyrgyz Republic instead of Kyrgyzstan. On May 10, 1993, Kyrgyzstan introduced its own national currency — som.

Kyrgyzstan is a country in which 94% of the territory is occupied by mountains. So what can attract this modest little-known country? Of course, by its nature. Stunning gorges, where the bright greenery of grass and firs is combined with crystal clear mountain air and the roar of stormy rivers and waterfalls. Such a picture can be seen in any mountain gorge, but each of them is beautiful in its own way and unique.