KYRGYZSTAN

President of Kyrgyz Republic Bakiev Kurmanbek Salievich

Kyrgyzstan is located in the North East of the Central Asia. The borders pass mainly through natural edges - ridges of the high mountain ranges and rivers, only in some places they come down to the plains of Chui, Talas and Ferghana valleys.  
 
Kyrgyzstan borders with Kazakhstan on the North, with Uzbekistan in the West, with Tajikistan on the South West, and with China on the South East.  
 
The territory of the Kyrgyz Republic stretches 900 kilometers from the West to the East, 410 kilometers from the North to the South and is situated between 39 and 43 of the North latitude. The area of Kyrgyzstan is 199.9 square kilometers. 
 
The average altitude of the territory above the sea level is 2,750 meters, the highest point is 7,439 meters (Pobeda Peak), the lowest - 394 meters (on the South West of the country). The landscape of Kyrgyzstan is mainly mountainous. The country is rich with ores of non-ferrous and less-common metals, coal and other minerals. 
 
The climate is continental. The rivers mainly belong to the Syrdaria system (the main among them is Naryn), are used for irrigation. There are many lakes, the biggest one is Issyk-Kul. 
 
The flora in the pediments is deserted and semi-deserted, in the mountains - mountainous steppes, forests, alpine and sub-alpine meadows. 
 
The population of the republic is 5 million people. 
 
Kyrgyzs make 66.9%, Uzbeks - 14.14%, Russians - 10.65%. Representatives of more than 80 nationalities live in Kyrgyzstan.  
 
Population density in the republic in average makes about 22 people on 1 square kilometer. More than 80 percent of the population live in lowlands, in basins and foothills. The developed industrial districts as Chu valley, Ferghana plains of Osh and Jalal-Abad regions, are the most populous. 
 
The state language is Kyrgyz; official language is Russian. 
 
Among the permanent population the children under age of 14 make 32.8%, people of working age - 56.1%, elders - 8.7%. The average age of Kyrgyzstan people is 26.62 years. 
 
Level of education of the republic’s population at the age of 15 and older: higher and not completed higher education - 12%; high specialized education - 10.8%, high general and basic general - 68.3%, elementary general - 6.3%. 
 
The Kyrgyz Republic is situated in the center of Eurasian continent at the intersection of air communications between East and West, North and South. Moscow (Russia), Beijing (China), Istanbul (Turkey), Deli (India) are situated in the zone of flight through time zone from "Manas" airport. 
 
The population of the countries of the mentioned region is about 2.5 billion people. 
 
The construction of the Bishkek-Osh highway will be finished by 2004. 
 
The project of the construction of railroad to China is in the study stage by the Chinese side. It will connect Kashgar (China) and Djalal-Abad (KR). 
 
Kyrgyzstan is on the crossroads of Central Asian civilization. It is a link on the trade-caravan way between West and East. Historical and cultural archeological museum "Sulaiman-too", Uzgen historical complex, petroglyphs of Saimaly-Tash plato, Manas Kumbez (Manas tomb), etc. make the cognitive tourism on the Great Silk Road more attractive. 
 
The capital of the Kyrgyz Republic is Bishkek, and it is the most important economic, political, scientific, industrial, cultural and transport center of the country. 
 
Date of foundation: 1878. 
 
Territory: 127,3 square kilometers. 
 
Population of Bishkek is about 1 million people. 

   International "Manas" airport, railroads and highways and general infrastructure allow the city to integrate into regional and world economy. 
Bishkek is situated in the center of Chu valley at the foot of Kyrgyz Ala-Too on the attitude of 700-850 meters above see level. The summer in Bishkekis hot and dry. The Temperature in July sometimes rises up to 42°C. Average temperature of the winter is 7°C. In winter snow cover does not exceed 15 cm. Average year temperature is about 10°C. Annually Bishkek has up to 400 mm of precipitation. The number of sunny days reaches up to 322. Average RH in July is 38%, in January is 68%. 
 
Appearance of the human on the territory of modern city dates back to antiquity. The findings of stone labor weapons on Alamedin Hydro-Electro Station testify the existence of primitive people in the area of the capital in V-IV milleniums B.C. In the end of II millenium B.C. on the territory of modern location of the city was inhabited by the tribes of the Bronze epoch. They did pastoral cattle-breeding, agriculture, pottery and metallurgy. 
 
Bishkek, as a city, was formed in Pishpek fortress, which was built on the ancient trade road from Central Asia to China at the intersection with Vernen Route, which was the part of caravan Silk Road. 
 
Over the Soviet period a great number of buildings, including industrial facilities, have been built. During these years the Kyrgyz architecture school was formed. Considerable part of public buildings is situated in historically formed center of the city limited by Ibraimova, Jibek Jolu, Gandi avenues and the railroad. 
 
Ala-Too Square is considered to be the heart of the city. The modern image has formed in the first half of 80s, when the architectural ensemble, including the Government House and Lenin Museum Building, was built. Today Kyrgyz State Historical Museum occupies this building. Ala-Too Square hosts public events and nation-wide celebrations.  
 
The capital has a lot of parks, public gardens, boulevards and squares with big number of monuments and memorials, beautiful fountains and big flower beds.  
 
The city has a lot of museums. The largest of them are Kyrgyz State Historical Museum, G. Aitiev National Museum of Fine Arts, Frunze Memorial Museum House and Cultural-ethnographic complex "Manas Ayily" ("Manas village"). 
 
Bishkek is a scientific and educational center of the republic. The majority of the Kyrgyz National Academy of Sciences institutions are concentrated in the city, as well as the branches scientific-research institutes. Many works of Kyrgyz scientists are actual and known abroad. The largest higher and secondary-specialized educational institutions are situated in the capital. These are the National University, Technical University, Medical Academy, Mining and Smelting Academy, Agrarian Academy, Humanities University, Conservatory, Pedagogical University, Kyrgyz-Russian Slavic University, Kyrgyz-Turkish Manas University, Construction and Architecture University, University of Physical Education and others. Besides the numerous small libraries, Bishkek has the largest libraries: Kyrgyz National Library and K. Bayalinov Republican Children and Youth Library. 
 
Bishkek is a cultural center of Kyrgyzstan. Kyrgyz Maldybaev Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet, Russian Drama Theater, T. Satylganov State Philharmonic Society, Republican Puppet Theater, circus and a lot of small private theaters. The capital has a number of large and small movie-theaters, the largest of them are "Russia", "Manas", "Ala-Too", "October" movie-theaters. 
 
Among the sports facilities of the city the largest are the 25-thousand-seat Central Stadium, 3-thousand-seat Kojomkul Sports Palace, and racetrack. 
 
Air transport links the capital of Kyrgyzstan to foreign cities. The largest air companies have opened their representative offices in Bishkek. "Manas" airport is an air gate of Kyrgyzstan, it provides for takes-offs and landing of modern liners. Airport is situated 35 km away from the capital. 
 
The enterprises of services and leisure recently have had a rapid development in the capital. A lot of small and a number of large hotels were built lately. Tourists will find many different shops, cafes, bars, restaurants, disco- and billiards-clubs, night and sport clubs, weight-rooms, internet-cafes, swimming pools and saunas.  
 
A lot of tourist agencies work in the capital, and they arrange the hosting of foreign tourists as well as sending the tourists abroad. Tourist agencies render services in the area of hotel booking and air-tickets selling, transportation, organizing vacations on lakes, mountain climbing, horse, automobile, bicycle, water and mountain ski tours, etc. 
 
Over the last decade the enterprises of mobile, paging and satellite communications, internet-providers, world express deliveries, private television and radio station are being actively developed. 
 
Osh city is an administrative center of Osh region and the second largest city of Kyrgyzstan, "South capital". The city is situated on the East of Ferghana valley, on the height of more than 1,000 meters above the sea level. Osh is surrounded by hills and not high rocky spurs of Alay mountain range. One of those spurs has a shape of a rock of 100 meters height; it stands in the center of the city and is called Sulaiman-Too. The city is divided in two parts by tumultuous mountain Ak-Bura River. Osh is connected with the capital by the airline and mountain highway of 600 kilometers length. 
 
The population is about 239.5 thousand people, population density is 16.0 thousand people per 1 square kilometer, area of Osh is about 15.0 square kilometers. 

The climate here is continental. The summer is hot and droughty. The average temperature in July is 26 °C. The absolute summer maximum reaches up to 42°C. The winter is not stable, warm and humid. The average temperature of January is -4°C. Snow cover is not stable. Osh has up to 600 mm of precipitation annually. Maximal rainfall takes place in spring and beginning of summer. Second half of summer is draughty. 
 
Osh is one of the most ancient cities of the Central Asia. In 2000 Osh has celebrated its 3000 years anniversary. Legends relate its foundation to the name of Alexander the Great and even Solomon (Suleiman), the prophet.  
 
Osh was mentioned in Arabian sources of IX century.  
 
There is almost nothing left from ancient Osh. According to the archeologists’ information Osh in antiquity was walled, had three gates, inside of it there was a citadel surrounded by shahristan. Mosque was situated near the bazaar, not far from Ak-Bura River. It is possible to highlight three major historical stages of the city and Osh oasis. The most ancient settlement of farmers has appeared in the epoch of late bronze. On the slopes of Sulaiman-Too in the center of modern Osh there was quite big settlement. According to researches the Osh settlement was formed 3000 years ago. 
 
In the beginning 80s of XIX, after Kyrgyzstan joined Russia, new city was formed to the south of the the old Osh. New Osh began to be rapidly built over by Russian settlers. Building of streets and blocks of the new part of the city had straight and green streets. Rectangular blocks were divided into sections. 
 
After the victory of October Revolution the textile industry was greatly developed in Osh. In 1931 the railroad from Kara-Suu to Osh was built. In following years a lot of industrial enterprises of different specialization were built in Osh.  
 
Modern Osh has one of the largest cotton industrial complex in Central Asia, silk industrial complex, building industry enterprises, metal-working, mechanical engineering, and enterprises of light, food, woodworking industry, and airport.  
 
Osh city is an industrial and cultural center of South Kyrgyzstan. Osh is also called a south capital of Kyrgyzstan. The city has 2 drama theaters, 8 national theaters, 14 public and 62 school museums, culture and recreation parks. Osh regional and city library unite more than 10 city libraries. 
 
There are a lot of trade outlets and public cafes in the city, there are more than 25 clinics, regional hospital, children’s regional hospital, Osh central city hospital, and two maternity houses, post and communications offices, Osh airport, and 2 bus stations. 
 
Osh has its television station and 2 private television channels, 3 radio stations and etc. There are different educational institutions, including higher education institutions. Region has 702 schools, Osh State University, Osh Technological University, Kyrgyz-Uzbek University, Osh Higher Teachers College, Trade College and a lot of branches of republican higher educational institutions. 
 
The main sights of the city are the Osh United History and Culture Museum-Reserve, where you can enjoy the view from the height of the mountain, and a lot of different beautiful exhibits and materials of Regional Studies Museum, petroglyphs and inscriptions on Sulaiman-Too; Ak-Bura Fortress (I-XII), memorials of architecture: Asaf-ibn-Burhiya Mausoleum (XI-XVII), the mosque of Ravat-Abdullahan (XVII-XVIII), and the mosque of Muhammed Yusuf Baihodji-Ogly (1909). 
 
There are a lot of parks and historic-cultural memorial such as Michael Archangel’s Temple, the Mosque of Sadykbai, the Mosque of Takht-i-Suleiman, the Mosque of Shahid-Tep, medieval baths, "Evening fire" memorial complex, monuments of Lenin, Toktogul Satylganov, Abdykadyrov, Sultan Ibraimov, Orozbek, Kurmanjan-Datka, Alisher Navoi; Osh settlement: "Loves echo" cave, "Swallows nest" grotto; the most beautiful places Kyl-Kuprik, Beshik-Tash, Chakki-Tamar, Kol-Tash, Sylyk-Tash, as well as age-old cemetery and petroglyphs. 
 
Very colorful Osh bazaar could also be included into the sights of the city. 
 
Osh also has "Great Silk Road" Museum. Unique exhibits tell us about milestones in the development of material world of the people of the region - from the Stone Age to modernity. Mainly it is the findings of archeologists, historians and ethnographers.

Administrative-territorial division of Kyrgyzstan