
Kyrgyzstan Guide
Kyrgyzstan – country information
Country name | Kyrgyzstan |
Official name | Republic of Kyrgyzstan |
Capital | Bishkek |
Continent | Asia |
Area | 199,900 km2 |
Population | 5,663,133 (2013) |
Foundation of a state | 31/8/1991 |
The highest mountains | Pik Pobeda 7439 m |
Longest rivers | Naryn 535 km |
The largest lakes | Issy-Kul’ 6236 km 2 |
State system | a republic with a unicameral parliament |
The biggest cities | Bishkek (capital) 675,000, Osh 230,000, Jalal-Abad 80,000 |
Official language | Kyrgyz language |
Ethnicity/National Composition | Kyrgyz 56%, Russians 18%, Uzbeks 12.5%, Ukrainians 2%, Tatars 1.5%, Germans 1.5%, others 8.5% |
Religious affiliation | mostly Sunni Muslims |
Currency | 1 am |
gross domestic product (GDP) | US$2,351 (2012) |
Average life expectancy of the population | 68.49 years (2006) |
Structure of GDP | agriculture and fishing 26%, mining and industry 35%, construction 4%, services 35% |
Kyrgyzstan – neighboring states
State | Capital | Area | Population |
China | Peking | 9,640,820 km2 | 1,363,350,000 |
Kazakhstan | Astana | 2,724,900 km2 | 17,186,000 |
Tajikistan | Dushanbe | 143,100 km2 | 8,160,000 |
Uzbekistan | Tashkent | 447,400 km2 | 30,183,400 |
Country overview
According to Abbreviationfinder, Kyrgyzstan is a mountainous republic in Central Asia, the furthest of all countries in the world from the sea (1,700 km). It borders Kazakhstan to the north, Uzbekistan to the west, Tajikistan to the southwest, and a long border with China to the southeast.
Country data
Location: Central Asia
Time zone: CET + 5 (during summer time CET + 4)
Total area: 199,951 km²
Land area: 191,801 km²
Water area: 8,150 km²
Length of the state border: 3,051 km
Bordering countries:
China: 858 km
Kazakhstan: 1,224 km
Tajikistan: 870 km
Uzbekistan: 1,099 km
Coastline: 0 km
Capital: Bishkek
Regions: 7
Shaary, Chuy Oblasty, Jalal-Abad Oblasty, Naryn Oblasty, Osh Oblasty, Talas Oblasty, Ysyk-Kol Oblasty
Electric current: 220 V / 50 Hz
Telephone code: 00 996 (Source: Allcitycodes)
Highest point: Jengish Chokusu 7,439 m
Population
Population: approx. 5.6 million residents (Countryaah, 2021)
Population growth: 1% per year
Population density (residents per km²): 28
Life expectancy: 66 (male), 75 (female)
Official language: Kyrgyz, Russian
Religions:
- 75% Muslim
- 20% Russian Orthodox
- 5% other
Climate
Kyrgyzstan is located in a continental climate zone where the summer months are very warm and the winter months are cold with frequent snowfalls.
Overall, precipitation is very rare.
Currency / finance
Currency unit: Kyrgyz Som (KGS)
Classification: 1 Som = 100 Tyiyn
ATMs: There are a few ATMs in Bishkek.
International credit cards: These are accepted by a few larger hotels and shops in the capital. Cash is usually used.
Regulations: Foreign currencies can be imported and exported in unlimited amounts. The local currency may not be imported or exported.
Since there is almost always a lack of change, you should carry enough US dollars with you in small notations.
Customs regulations
The following may be carried duty-free:
- 400 cigarettes or 500 g tobacco
- 1 liter of alcoholic beverages
- small amounts of perfume
(Information applies to people aged 18 and over)
Tourists and people in transit can bring items of personal use with them duty-free.
All customs forms must be kept well until departure. All valuable objects and pieces of jewelery are to be entered in these in order to avoid problems with re-export.
Travel advice
Travel to the border regions to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan should be avoided as the situation is not safe here.
In some areas there are minefields that have not yet been cleared.
Behavioral advice
Pickpockets, extortion and robbery often occur after dark. You should therefore exercise particular caution.
Medical care does not necessarily correspond to European standards. You should attach importance to a good first aid kit.
You should only travel outside the big cities with a local guide.
Economy
In agriculture, the main industry, sheep, yaks and goats are mainly raised.
For a few years now, foreign aid has been promoting the development of further branches of industry.
Industries: building materials, electronics, agriculture, mechanical engineering, textiles, livestock
Natural resources: antimony, lead, natural gas, petroleum, gold, coal, mercury, hydropower, zinc
Land use:
- Usable land: 7%
- Grain cultivation: 0%
- Pasture area: 44%
- Forests: 4%
- other: 45%
Plants
Most of the flora consists of steppe areas overgrown with grasses and small bushes.
Fruit trees were planted in the lower regions. There are also isolated small forests of birch, spruce and fir trees.
Animals
The animal world is represented in Kyrgyzstan with only a few species.
These have adapted to the mostly unfavorable living conditions.