Overview of Kyrgyzstan

Profile

The Kyrgyz Republic is located near the center of Central Asia, with about 90% of its territory occupied by mountains over 1,000m in elevation, making it the "roof country." Rich grasslands and alpine lakes have long nurtured nomadic culture. After gaining independence from the former Soviet Union, it adopted a presidential system and aims to become a tourism destination through a relatively open political system and visa relaxation policies. While blessed with gold mines and hydroelectric resources, the economic scale is small, and challenges include dependence on remittances and delayed infrastructure development.

Official name: Kyrgyz Republic
Common name: Kyrgyzstan
Numeric code: 417
Alpha-3 code: KGZ
Alpha-2 code: KG
Population: 7.4 million (2024)
Population density: 38 people/km2
Primary languages: Kyrgyz, Russian
Major religions: Islam (Sunni)
National anthem: Кыргыз Республикасынын Мамлекеттик Гимни (National Anthem of the Kyrgyz Republic)
Calling code: +996
Internet TLD: .kg

History

Inheriting Turkic nomadic traditions, it became a young independent nation with the collapse of the USSR in 1991.

Since ancient times, numerous nomadic empires such as the Göktürks, Uyghurs, and Mongols rose and fell, thriving as a key point on the Silk Road. It was incorporated into the Russian Empire in the 19th century and reorganized as the Kyrgyz Soviet Socialist Republic during the Soviet era. Independence was declared on August 31, 1991. After independence, two political upheavals (the 2005 Tulip Revolution and the 2010 unrest) led to constitutional amendments and ongoing democratization and adjustment of presidential powers.

Geography & climate

The nation is covered by sharp peaks and glacier-carved valleys of the Tian Shan and Pamir ranges, with alpine lakes and grasslands above 1,600m elevation.

Continental climate (alpine climate in highlands), some lowlands have steppe climate

Area: Asia / 199951 km²
Capital: Bishkek
Largest city: Bishkek
Coastal status: No
Major lakes: Issyk-Kul Lake, Song-Kol Lake, Chatyr-Kul Lake
Bordering countries: Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, People's Republic of China

Natural resources

Gold, Mercury, Coal, Antimony, Uranium, Hydroelectric energy, Wool, Alpine medicinal herbs, Walnut forests, Marble, Rare earth elements, Glacier water, Tourism resources, Natural gas (small scale), Petroleum (small scale)

Politics

Government: Presidential Republic

Economy

Currency: Som (KGS)

GDP (nominal): 13.9 billion USD (2023)

GDP (PPP): 41.8 billion USD (2023)

Language & timezone

Primary languages: Kyrgyz, Russian

Time zone: Kyrgyzstan Time

Culture & customs

Ethnic groups

Kyrgyz, Uzbek, Russian, Tajik, Uyghur, Dungan, Kazakh, Tatar, Turkish

Life expectancy

71.2 years

Literacy rate

99.0%

National sports

Kok-boru (horse ball game), Wrestling (Kresh), Soccer, Bandy, Mounted archery, Ice hockey, Basketball