Kyrgyzstan

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, interethnic relations, and combating terrorism.

Kyrgyzstan Information

• Population: 5,081,429 (July 2004 est.)
• Nationality: noun: Kyrgyzstani(s) adjective: Kyrgyzstani
• Location:: Central Asia, west of China
• Religions:: Muslim 75%, Russian Orthodox 20%, other 5%
• Ethnic Groups:: Kyrgyz 64.9%, Uzbek 13.8%, Russian 12.5%, Dungan 1.1%, Ukrainian 1%, Uygur 1%, other 5.7% (1999 census)
• Land Boundaries:: total: 3,878 km border countries: China 858 km, Kazakhstan 1,051 km, Tajikistan 870 km, Uzbekistan 1,099 km
• Area: total: 198,500 sq km water: 7,200 sq km land: 191,300 sq km
• Coast Line: 0 km (landlocked)
• Climate: dry continental to polar in high Tien Shan; subtropical in southwest (Fergana Valley); temperate in northern foothill zone
• Terrain: peaks of Tien Shan and associated valleys and basins encompass entire nation
• Maritime Claims: none (landlocked)
• Land Use: arable land: 7.3% permanent crops: 0.35% note: Kyrgyzstan has the world's largest natural growth walnut forest (2001) other: 92.35%
• Environmental Issues: water pollution; many people get their water directly from contaminated streams and wells; as a result, water-borne diseases are prevalent; increasing soil salinity from faulty irrigation practices
• 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
• Highways: total: 18,500 km paved: 16,854 km (including 140 km of expressways) unpaved: 1,646 km (1999 est.)
• Railways: total: 470 km broad gauge: 470 km 1.520-m gauge (2003)
• Ports & Harbours: Balykchy (Ysyk-Kol or Rybach'ye)
• Airports: 61 (2003 est.)