 Definition  Field Listing  Rank
Order
|
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. Learn geography the easy way by playing ZL's Geographycards (www.geographycards.com)
|
|
Location: |
Central
Asia, west of China |
|
Geographic coordinates: |
41 00 N, 75
00 E |
|
Map references: |
Asia
|
|
Area: |
total:
198,500 sq km
land: 191,300 sq km
water: 7,200
sq km |
|
Area - comparative: |
slightly
smaller than South Dakota |
|
Land boundaries: |
total: 3,878 km
border countries: China 858
km, Kazakhstan 1,051 km, Tajikistan 870 km, Uzbekistan 1,099 km
|
|
Coastline: |
0 km
(landlocked) |
|
Maritime claims: |
none
(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
|
|
Elevation extremes: |
lowest
point: Kara-Daryya (Karadar'ya) 132 m
highest point:
Jengish Chokusu (Pik Pobedy) 7,439 m |
|
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 |
|
Land use: |
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: |
10,740 sq km
(1998 est.) |
|
Natural hazards: |
NA |
|
Environment - current 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 |
|
Environment - international agreements: |
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: |
landlocked;
entirely mountainous, dominated by the Tien Shan range; many tall
peaks, glaciers, and high-altitude lakes Learn geography the easy way by playing ZL's Geographycards (www.geographycards.com)
|
|
Population: |
5,081,429
(July 2004 est.) |
|
Age structure: |
0-14
years: 32.3% (male 835,599; female 804,384)
15-64
years: 61.6% (male 1,535,447; female 1,594,972)
65 years
and over: 6.1% (male 120,555; female 190,472) (2004 est.) |
|
Median age: |
total: 23.1 years
male: 22.2 years
female: 24 years (2004 est.) |
|
Population growth rate: |
1.25% (2004
est.) |
|
Birth rate: |
22.13
births/1,000 population (2004 est.) |
|
Death rate: |
7.19
deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.) |
|
Net migration rate: |
-2.45
migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 est.) |
|
Sex ratio: |
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: 0.63 male(s)/female
total population:
0.96 male(s)/female (2004 est.) |
|
Infant mortality rate: |
total:
36.81 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 42.23 deaths/1,000
live births
female: 31.11 deaths/1,000 live births (2004
est.) |
|
Life expectancy at birth: |
total
population: 67.84 years
male: 63.84 years
female: 72.05 years (2004 est.) |
|
Total fertility rate: |
2.71 children
born/woman (2004 est.) |
|
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: |
less than
0.1% (2001 est.) |
|
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: |
over 500
(2001 est.) |
|
HIV/AIDS - deaths: |
less than 100
(2001 est.) |
|
Nationality: |
noun:
Kyrgyzstani(s)
adjective: Kyrgyzstani |
|
Ethnic groups: |
Kyrgyz
64.9%, Uzbek 13.8%, Russian 12.5%, Dungan 1.1%, Ukrainian 1%, Uygur
1%, other 5.7% (1999 census) |
|
Religions: |
Muslim 75%,
Russian Orthodox 20%, other 5% |
|
Languages: |
Kyrgyz -
official language, Russian - official language
note: in
December 2001, the Kyrgyzstani legislature made Russian an official
language, equal in status to Kyrgyz |
|
Literacy: |
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 97%
male: 99%
female: 96% (1989 est.) Learn geography the easy way by playing ZL's Geographycards (www.geographycards.com)
|
|
Country name: |
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: |
republic
|
|
Capital: |
Bishkek
|
|
Administrative divisions: |
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: |
31 August
1991 (from Soviet Union) |
|
National holiday: |
Independence
Day, 31 August (1991) |
|
Constitution: |
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: |
based on
civil law system |
|
Suffrage: |
18 years of
age; universal |
|
Executive branch: |
chief of
state: President Askar AKAYEV (since 28 October 1990)
head of government: Prime Minister Nikolay TANAYEV (since
22 May 2002); note - Prime Minister Kurmanbek BAKIYEV resigned on 22
May 2002 when five demonstrators were killed in a clash with police
in March of 2002; First Deputy Prime Minister Kubanychbek JUMALIYEV
(since 19 March 2004)
cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers
appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime
minister
elections: president reelected by popular vote
for a five-year term; elections last held 29 October 2000 (next to
be held November or December 2005); prime minister appointed by the
president; note - President AKAYEV has publicly stated that he will
not seek reelection when his current term expires in 2005
election results: Askar AKAYEV reelected president;
percent of vote - Askar AKAYEV 74%, Omurbek TEKEBAYEV 14%, other
candidates 12%; note - election marred by serious irregularities
|
|
Legislative branch: |
bicameral
Supreme Council or Zhogorku 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 2005
elections
elections: Assembly of People's Representatives
- last held 20 February and 12 March 2000 (next to be held NA
February 2005); Legislative Assembly - last held 20 February and 12
March 2000 (next to be held NA February 2005)
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: |
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: |
Agrarian
Labor Party of Kyrgyzstan [Uson S. SYDYKOV]; Agrarian Party of
Kyrgyzstan [Arkin ALIYEV]; ar-Namys (Honor) Party [Feliks KULOV];
Ata-Meken or Fatherland [Omurbek TEKEBAYEV]; Banner National Revival
Party or ASABA [Azimbek BEKNAZAROV]; Communist Party of Kyrgyzstan
[Klara ADZHIBEKOVA]; Democratic Movement of Kyrgyzstan or DDK [Jypar
JEKSHEYEV]; Democratic Women's Party of Kyrgyzstan [Tokon
SHAILIYEVA]; El Muras (People's Heritage) [Toktokan BOROMBAYEVA];
Erkin Kyrgyzstan Progressive and Democratic Party [B. ASANOV];
Erkindik (Freedom) Party [Topchubek TURGUNALIYEV]; Justice Party
[Chingiz AYTMATOV]; Movement for the People's Salvation [Jumgalbek
AMAMBAYEV]; Mutual Help Movement or Ashar [Jumagazy USUPOV]; My
Country Party of Action [Almazbek ISMANKULOV]; National Unity
Democratic Movement or DDNE [Yury RAZGULYAYEV]; Novoe Vremya [leader
NA]; Party of Communists of Kyrgyzstan or KCP [Absamat M.
MASALIYEV]; Party of Justice and Progress [Muratbek IMANALIEV];
Party of the Veterans of the War in Afghanistan [leader NA]; Peasant
Party [leader NA]; People's Party [Melis ESHIMKANOV]; Republican
Popular Party of Kyrgyzstan [J. SHARSHENALIYEV]; Social Democratic
Party or PSD [J. IBRAMOV]; Union of Democratic Forces (composed of
Social Democratic Party of Kyrgyzstan or PSD [J. IBRAMOV], Economic
Revival Party, and Birimdik Party) |
|
Political pressure groups and leaders: |
Council of
Free Trade Unions; Kyrgyz Committee on Human Rights [Ramazan
DYRYLDAYEV]; National Unity Democratic Movement; Union of
Entrepreneurs |
|
International organization participation: |
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, NAM (observer), OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP,
SCO, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIK, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO,
WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO |
|
Diplomatic representation in the US: |
chief of
mission: Ambassador Bakyt ABDRISAYEV
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: |
chief of
mission: Ambassador Stephen M. YOUNG
embassy: 171
Prospect Mira, 720016 Bishkek
mailing address: use
embassy street address
telephone: [996] (312) 551-241,
(517) 777-217
FAX: [996] (312) 551-264 |
|
Flag description: |
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 Learn geography the easy way by playing ZL's Geographycards (www.geographycards.com)
|
|
Economy - overview: |
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,
and 4.0% in 2003. 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.
The government has made steady strides in controlling its
substantial fiscal deficit and aims to reduce the deficit to 4.4
percent 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 - $7.808 billion (2003 est.) |
|
GDP - real growth rate: |
6.7% (2003
est.) |
|
GDP - per capita: |
purchasing
power parity - $1,600 (2003 est.) |
|
GDP - composition by sector: |
agriculture: 38.7%
industry: 22.9%
services: 38.4% (2003 est.) |
|
Investment (gross fixed): |
17.6% of GDP
(2003) |
|
Population below poverty line: |
50% (2003
est.) |
|
Household income or consumption by percentage
share: |
lowest
10%: 3.2%
highest 10%: 27.7% (1999) |
|
Distribution of family income - Gini
index: |
34.6 (1999)
|
|
Inflation rate (consumer prices): |
3.5% (2003
est.) |
|
Labor force: |
2.7 million
(2000) |
|
Labor force - by occupation: |
agriculture
55%, industry 15%, services 30% (2000 est.) |
|
Unemployment rate: |
7.2% (1999
est.) |
|
Budget: |
revenues: $371.5 million
expenditures: $387.1
million, including capital expenditures of NA (2003 est.) |
|
Agriculture - products: |
tobacco,
cotton, potatoes, vegetables, grapes, fruits and berries; sheep,
goats, cattle, wool |
|
Industries: |
small
machinery, textiles, food processing, cement, shoes, sawn logs,
refrigerators, furniture, electric motors, gold, rare earth metals
|
|
Industrial production growth rate: |
6% (2000
est.) |
|
Electricity - production: |
13.45 billion
kWh (2001) |
|
Electricity - consumption: |
10.46 billion
kWh (2001) |
|
Electricity - exports: |
2.25 billion
kWh (2001) |
|
Electricity - imports: |
200 million
kWh (2001) |
|
Oil - production: |
2,000 bbl/day
(2001 est.) |
|
Oil - consumption: |
20,000
bbl/day (2001 est.) |
|
Oil - exports: |
NA (2001)
|
|
Oil - imports: |
NA (2001)
|
|
Natural gas - production: |
16 million cu
m (2001 est.) |
|
Natural gas - consumption: |
2.016 billion
cu m (2001 est.) |
|
Natural gas - exports: |
0 cu m (2001
est.) |
|
Natural gas - imports: |
2 billion cu
m (2001 est.) |
|
Current account balance: |
$-108 million
(2003) |
|
Exports: |
$548 million
f.o.b. (2003 est.) |
|
Exports - commodities: |
cotton,
wool, meat, tobacco; gold, mercury, uranium, natural gas,
hydropower; machinery; shoes |
|
Exports - partners: |
UAE 24.7%,
Switzerland 20.3%, Russia 16.7%, Kazakhstan 9.8%, Canada 5.3%, China
4% (2003 est.) |
|
Imports: |
$601 million
f.o.b. (2003 est.) |
|
Imports - commodities: |
oil and gas,
machinery and equipment, chemicals, foodstuffs |
|
Imports - partners: |
Russia
24.7%, Kazakhstan 24%, China 10.3%, US 6.7%, Uzbekistan 5.5%,
Germany 5.3% (2003 est.) |
|
Reserves of foreign exchange & gold: |
$399.3
million (2003) |
|
Debt - external: |
$1.5 billion
(2002 est.) |
|
Economic aid - recipient: |
$50 million
from the US (2001) |
|
Currency: |
Kyrgyzstani
som (KGS) |
|
Currency code: |
KGS |
|
Exchange rates: |
soms per US
dollar - 43.6484 (2003), 46.9371 (2002), 48.378 (2001), 47.7038
(2000), 39.0077 (1999) |
|
Fiscal year: |
calendar
year Learn geography the easy way by playing ZL's Geographycards (www.geographycards.com)
|
|
Telephones - main lines in use: |
394,800
(2002) |
|
Telephones - mobile cellular: |
53,100 (2002)
|
|
Telephone system: |
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: |
AM 12 (plus
10 repeater stations), FM 14, shortwave 2 (1998) |
|
Television broadcast stations: |
NA (repeater
stations throughout the country relay programs from Russia,
Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Turkey) (1997) |
|
Internet country code: |
.kg |
|
Internet hosts: |
12,299 (2004)
|
|
Internet users: |
152,000
(2002) Learn geography the easy way by playing ZL's Geographycards (www.geographycards.com)
|
|
Railways: |
total:
470 km
broad gauge: 470 km 1.520-m gauge (2003) |
|
Highways: |
total:
18,500 km
paved: 16,854 km (including 140 km of
expressways)
unpaved: 1,646 km (1999 est.) |
|
Waterways: |
600 km
|
|
Pipelines: |
gas 367 km;
oil 13 km (2003) |
|
Ports and harbors: |
Balykchy
(Ysyk-Kol or Rybach'ye) |
|
Airports: |
61 (2003
est.) |
|
Airports - with paved runways: |
total: 17
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to
3,047 m: 3
1,524 to 2,437 m: 11
under 914
m: 2 (2003 est.) |
|
Airports - with unpaved runways: |
total: 44
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3
914 to
1,523 m: 4
under 914 m: 37 (2003 est.)
|
Large portions of this information is from the US government open source publication "The World Factbook", other content copyright © Stratus-Pikpuk, Inc. You may use this information without permission for educational or other non-profit purposes if you refer to us as the source, contact us if you want to use this commercially.
|
