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This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005


Map of Kyrgyzstan



Legend: DefinitionDefinition Field ListingField Listing Rank OrderRank Order
   Introduction    Kyrgyzstan Top of Page
Background:
Definition Field Listing
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. Nation-wide demonstrations in the spring of 2005 resulted in the ouster of President Askar AKAYEV, who had run the country since 1990. Subsequent presidential elections in July of 2005 were won overwhelmingly by former prime minister Kurmanbek BAKIYEV. Current concerns include: privatization of state-owned enterprises, expansion of democracy and political freedoms, interethnic relations, and combating terrorism.
   Geography    Kyrgyzstan Top of Page
Location:
Definition Field Listing
Central Asia, west of China
Geographic coordinates:
Definition Field Listing
41 00 N, 75 00 E
Map references:
Definition Field Listing
Asia
Area:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
total: 198,500 sq km
land: 191,300 sq km
water: 7,200 sq km
Area - comparative:
Definition Field Listing
slightly smaller than South Dakota
Land boundaries:
Definition Field Listing
total: 3,878 km
border countries: China 858 km, Kazakhstan 1,051 km, Tajikistan 870 km, Uzbekistan 1,099 km
Coastline:
Definition Field Listing
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:
Definition Field Listing
none (landlocked)
Climate:
Definition Field Listing
dry continental to polar in high Tien Shan; subtropical in southwest (Fergana Valley); temperate in northern foothill zone
Terrain:
Definition Field Listing
peaks of Tien Shan and associated valleys and basins encompass entire nation
Elevation extremes:
Definition Field Listing
lowest point: Kara-Daryya (Karadar'ya) 132 m
highest point: Jengish Chokusu (Pik Pobedy) 7,439 m
Natural resources:
Definition Field Listing
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
Land use:
Definition Field Listing
arable land: 7.3%
permanent crops: 0.35%
other: 92.35%
note: Kyrgyzstan has the world's largest natural growth walnut forest (2001)
Irrigated land:
Definition Field Listing
10,740 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:
Definition Field Listing
NA
Environment - current issues:
Definition Field Listing
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
Environment - international agreements:
Definition Field Listing
party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
Definition Field Listing
landlocked; entirely mountainous, dominated by the Tien Shan range; many tall peaks, glaciers, and high-altitude lakes
   People    Kyrgyzstan Top of Page
Population:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
5,146,281 (July 2005 est.)
Age structure:
Definition Field Listing
0-14 years: 31.6% (male 827,751/female 796,029)
15-64 years: 62.3% (male 1,571,476/female 1,632,506)
65 years and over: 6.2% (male 123,992/female 194,527) (2005 est.)
Median age:
Definition Field Listing
total: 23.39 years
male: 22.52 years
female: 24.27 years (2005 est.)
Population growth rate:
Definition Field Listing
1.29% (2005 est.)
Birth rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
22.48 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Death rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
7.13 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Net migration rate:
Definition Field Listing
-2.47 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Sex ratio:
Definition Field Listing
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.64 male(s)/female
total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2005 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
total: 35.64 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 40.97 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 30.03 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
total population: 68.16 years
male: 64.16 years
female: 72.38 years (2005 est.)
Total fertility rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
2.7 children born/woman (2005 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
less than 0.1% (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
3,900 (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
less than 200 (2003 est.)
Nationality:
Definition Field Listing
noun: Kyrgyzstani(s)
adjective: Kyrgyzstani
Ethnic groups:
Definition Field Listing
Kyrgyz 64.9%, Uzbek 13.8%, Russian 12.5%, Dungan 1.1%, Ukrainian 1%, Uygur 1%, other 5.7% (1999 census)
Religions:
Definition Field Listing
Muslim 75%, Russian Orthodox 20%, other 5%
Languages:
Definition Field Listing
Kyrgyz (official), Russian (official)
Literacy:
Definition Field Listing
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 98.7%
male: 99.3%
female: 98.1% (1999 est.)
   Government    Kyrgyzstan Top of Page
Country name:
Definition Field Listing
conventional long form: Kyrgyz Republic
conventional short form: Kyrgyzstan
local long form: Kyrgyz Respublikasy
local short form: none
former: Kirghiz Soviet Socialist Republic
Government type:
Definition Field Listing
republic
Capital:
Definition Field Listing
Bishkek
Administrative divisions:
Definition Field Listing
7 provinces (oblastlar, singular - oblasty) and 1 city* (shaar); Batken Oblasty, Bishkek Shaary*, Chuy Oblasty (Bishkek), Jalal-Abad Oblasty, Naryn Oblasty, Osh Oblasty, Talas Oblasty, Ysyk-Kol Oblasty (Karakol)
note: administrative divisions have the same names as their administrative centers (exceptions have the administrative center name following in parentheses)
Independence:
Definition Field Listing
31 August 1991 (from Soviet Union)
National holiday:
Definition Field Listing
Independence Day, 31 August (1991)
Constitution:
Definition Field Listing
adopted 5 May 1993; note - amendment proposed by President AKAYEV and passed in a national referendum on 2 February 2003 significantly expands the powers of the president at the expense of the legislature
Legal system:
Definition Field Listing
based on civil law system
Suffrage:
Definition Field Listing
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
Definition Field Listing
chief of state: President Kurmanbek BAKIYEV (since 14 August 2005); note - former President Askar AKAYEV resigned effective 11 April 2005 following widespread protests that forced him to flee the country on 24 March 2005
head of government: Prime Minister Feliks KULOV (since 1 September 2005)
cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister
elections: Kurmanbek BAKIYEV elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 10 July 2005 (next scheduled for NA 2010); prime minister nominated by the president for approval by Parliament
election results: Kurmanbek BAKIYEV elected president; percent of vote - Kurmanbek BAKIYEV 88.6%, Tursunbai BAKIR-UULU 3.9%, other candidates 7.5%; Feliks KULOV approved as prime minister 55-8
Legislative branch:
Definition Field Listing
bicameral Supreme Council or Jorgorku Kenesh consists of the Assembly of People's Representatives (70 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) and the Legislative Assembly (35 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms); note - in accordance with a 2003 referendum, the Parliament is slated to become unicameral with 75 deputies after the 27 February 2005 elections
elections: Assembly of People's Representatives - last held 20 February and 12 March 2000; Legislative Assembly - last held 20 February and 12 March 2000; elections for the new unicameral body or Jorgorku Kenesh were held 27 February 2005, but the vast majority of positions remained undecided and were to be contested in a runoff election scheduled for 13 March 2005; election irregularities caused widespread protests that resulted in the president being forced to flee the country; new legislative elections have not yet been rescheduled
election results: Assembly of People's Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NA; and Legislative Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NA; note - total seats by party in the Supreme Council were as follows: Union of Democratic Forces 12, Communists 6, My Country Party of Action 4, independents 73, other 10
note: the legislature became bicameral for the 5 February 1995 elections; the 2000 election results include both the Assembly of People's Representatives and the Legislative Assembly
Judicial branch:
Definition Field Listing
Supreme Court (judges are appointed for 10-year terms by the Supreme Council on the recommendation of the president); Constitutional Court; Higher Court of Arbitration
Political parties and leaders:
Definition Field Listing
Adilet (Justice) Party [Toychubek KASYMOV]; Agrarian Labor Party of Kyrgyzstan [Uson SYDYKOV]; Agrarian Party of Kyrgyzstan [Erkin ALIYEV]; Alga, Kyrgyzstan (Forward, Kyrgyzstan) [Bolot BEGALIYEV]; Ar-Namys (Dignity) Party [Emil ALIYEV]; Asaba (Banner National Revival Party) [Azimbek BEKNAZAROV]; Ata-Meken (Fatherland) [Omurbek TEKEBAYEV]; Communist Party of Kyrgyzstan [Klara ADZHIBEKOVA]; Democratic Movement of Kyrgyzstan or DDK [Jypar JEKSHEYEV]; Erkin Kyrgyzstan Progressive and Democratic Party [Bektur ASANOV]; Erkindik (Freedom) Party [Topchubek TURGUNALIYEV]; Future of Kyrgyzstan [Balbak TULEBAYEV]; Jany Kyrgyzstan (New Kyrgyzstan) [Dosbol NUR UULU]; Kairan El [Dooronbek SADYKOV]; Kyrgyz National Party [Bakyt BESHIMOV]; Kyrgyzstan Kelechegi [Ruslan CHYNYBAYEV]; Manas El (Party of Spiritual Restoration) [Chingiz AITMATOV]; Moya Strana (My Country Party of Action) [Joomart OTORBAYEV]; Party of Communists of Kyrgyzstan or KCP [Bakytbek BEKBOYEV]; Party of Justice and Progress [Muratbek IMANALIEV]; Party of Peasants [Esengul ISAKOV]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Definition Field Listing
Council of Free Trade Unions; Kyrgyz Committee on Human Rights [Ramazan DYRYLDAYEV]; National Unity Democratic Movement; Union of Entrepreneurs
International organization participation:
Definition Field Listing
AsDB, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, ECO, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, NAM (observer), OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, SCO, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIK, UNMIL, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
Definition Field Listing
chief of mission: Ambassador Zamira SYDYKOVA
chancery: 1732 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007
telephone: [1] (202) 338-5141
FAX: [1] (202) 338-5139
consulate(s): New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
Definition Field Listing
chief of mission: Ambassador Stephen M. YOUNG
embassy: 171 Prospect Mira, Bishkek 720016
mailing address: use embassy street address
telephone: [996] (312) 551-241, (517) 777-217
FAX: [996] (312) 551-264
Flag description:
Definition Field Listing
red field with a yellow sun in the center having 40 rays representing the 40 Kyrgyz tribes; on the obverse side the rays run counterclockwise, on the reverse, clockwise; in the center of the sun is a red ring crossed by two sets of three lines, a stylized representation of the roof of the traditional Kyrgyz yurt
   Economy    Kyrgyzstan Top of Page
Economy - overview:
Definition Field Listing
Kyrgyzstan is a poor, mountainous country with a predominantly agricultural economy. Cotton, tobacco, wool, and meat are the main agricultural products, although only tobacco and cotton are exported in any quantity. Industrial exports include gold, mercury, uranium, and natural gas and electricity. Kyrgyzstan has been fairly progressive in carrying out market reforms, such as an improved regulatory system and land reform. Kyrgyzstan was the first CIS country to be accepted into the World Trade Organization. With fits and starts, inflation has been lowered to an estimated 7% in 2001, 2.1% in 2002, 4% in 2003, and 3.2% in 2004. Much of the government's stock in enterprises has been sold. Drops in production had been severe after the breakup of the Soviet Union in December 1991, but by mid-1995 production began to recover and exports began to increase. Kyrgyzstan has distinguished itself by adopting relatively liberal economic policies. The drop in output at the Kumtor gold mine sparked a 0.5% decline in GDP in 2002, but GDP growth bounced back to 6% in 2003 and 2004. The government has made steady strides in controlling its substantial fiscal deficit and aims to reduce the deficit to 3% of GDP in 2004. The government and the international financial institutions have been engaged in a comprehensive medium-term poverty reduction and economic growth strategy. Further restructuring of domestic industry and success in attracting foreign investment are keys to future growth.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$8.495 billion (2004 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
6% (2004 est.)
GDP - per capita:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
purchasing power parity - $1,700 (2004 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:
Definition Field Listing
agriculture: 38.5%
industry: 22.8%
services: 38.7% (2004 est.)
Labor force:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
2.7 million (2000)
Labor force - by occupation:
Definition Field Listing
agriculture 55%, industry 15%, services 30% (2000 est.)
Unemployment rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
18% (2004 est.)
Population below poverty line:
Definition Field Listing
40% (2004 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
Definition Field Listing
lowest 10%: 3.9%
highest 10%: 23.3% (2001)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
Definition Field Listing
29 (2001)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
3.2% (2004 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
17% of GDP (2004 est.)
Budget:
Definition Field Listing
revenues: $431.3 million
expenditures: $445.4 million, including capital expenditures of NA (2004 est.)
Agriculture - products:
Definition Field Listing
tobacco, cotton, potatoes, vegetables, grapes, fruits and berries; sheep, goats, cattle, wool
Industries:
Definition Field Listing
small machinery, textiles, food processing, cement, shoes, sawn logs, refrigerators, furniture, electric motors, gold, rare earth metals
Industrial production growth rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
6% (2000 est.)
Electricity - production:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
11.72 billion kWh (2002)
Electricity - consumption:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
10.21 billion kWh (2002)
Electricity - exports:
Definition Field Listing
1.062 billion kWh (2002)
Electricity - imports:
Definition Field Listing
375 million kWh (2002)
Oil - production:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
2,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - consumption:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
20,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - exports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
NA
Oil - imports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
NA
Natural gas - production:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
16 million cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
2.016 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - exports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
0 cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - imports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
2 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Current account balance:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$-87.92 million (2004 est.)
Exports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$646.7 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)
Exports - commodities:
Definition Field Listing
cotton, wool, meat, tobacco; gold, mercury, uranium, natural gas, hydropower; machinery; shoes
Exports - partners:
Definition Field Listing
UAE 28.2%, Russia 19.1%, China 12%, Kazakhstan 11.1%, Switzerland 6.3% (2004)
Imports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$775.1 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)
Imports - commodities:
Definition Field Listing
oil and gas, machinery and equipment, chemicals, foodstuffs
Imports - partners:
Definition Field Listing
China 26.3%, Russia 22.3%, Kazakhstan 17.1%, Turkey 5.4% (2004)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$498.7 million (2004 est.)
Debt - external:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$1.97 billion (2004 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:
Definition Field Listing
$50 million from the US (2001)
Currency (code):
Definition Field Listing
Exchange rates:
Definition Field Listing
soms per US dollar - 42.65 (2004), 43.648 (2003), 46.937 (2002), 48.378 (2001), 47.704 (2000)
Fiscal year:
Definition Field Listing
calendar year
   Communications    Kyrgyzstan Top of Page
Telephones - main lines in use:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
394,800 (2002)
Telephones - mobile cellular:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
53,100 (2002)
Telephone system:
Definition Field Listing
general assessment: poorly developed; about 100,000 unsatisfied applications for household telephones
domestic: principally microwave radio relay; one cellular provider, probably limited to Bishkek region
international: country code - 996; connections with other CIS countries by landline or microwave radio relay and with other countries by leased connections with Moscow international gateway switch and by satellite; satellite earth stations - 1 Intersputnik and 1 Intelsat; connected internationally by the Trans-Asia-Europe (TAE) fiber-optic line
Radio broadcast stations:
Definition Field Listing
AM 12 (plus 10 repeater stations), FM 14, shortwave 2 (1998)
Television broadcast stations:
Definition Field Listing
NA (repeater stations throughout the country relay programs from Russia, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Turkey) (1997)
Internet country code:
Definition Field Listing
.kg
Internet hosts:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
12,299 (2004)
Internet users:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
152,000 (2002)
   Transportation    Kyrgyzstan Top of Page
Railways:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
total: 470 km
broad gauge: 470 km 1.520-m gauge (2004)
Highways:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
total: 18,500 km
paved: 16,854 km (including 140 km of expressways)
unpaved: 1,646 km (1999 est.)
Waterways:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
600 km (2004)
Pipelines:
Definition Field Listing
gas 367 km; oil 13 km (2004)
Ports and harbors:
Definition Field Listing
Balykchy (Ysyk-Kol or Rybach'ye)
Airports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
52 (2004 est.)
Airports - with paved runways:
Definition Field Listing
total: 16
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 3
1,524 to 2,437 m: 10
under 914 m: 2 (2004 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
Definition Field Listing
total: 36
1,524 to 2,437 m: 4
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 31 (2004 est.)
   Military    Kyrgyzstan Top of Page
Military branches:
Definition Field Listing
Army, Air Force, National Guard (2004)
Military service age and obligation:
Definition Field Listing
18 years of age for compulsory military service (2001)
Manpower available for military service:
Definition Field Listing
males age 18-49: 1,193,529 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
Definition Field Listing
males age 18-49: 871,493 (2005 est.)
Manpower reaching military service age annually:
Definition Field Listing
males: 61,091 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$19.2 million (FY01)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
1.4% (FY01)
   Transnational Issues    Kyrgyzstan Top of Page
Disputes - international:
Definition Field Listing
delimitation with Kazakhstan is complete; disputes in Isfara Valley delay completion of delimitation with Tajikistan; delimitation is underway with Uzbekistan but serious disputes around enclaves and elsewhere continue to mar progress for some 130 km of border
Illicit drugs:
Definition Field Listing
limited illicit cultivation of cannabis and opium poppy for CIS markets; limited government eradication of illicit crops; transit point for Southwest Asian narcotics bound for Russia and the rest of Europe

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005


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