+996 is the dialing code for Kyrgyzstan.
Kyrgyzstan is located in eastern Central Asia and became an independent country in 1991, when the Soviet Union disbanded. The policy is characterized by contradictions between clans in the south-west and the north country. Tensions between the Kyrgyz and the Uzbek in the Fergana Valley culminated in 2010 in violence that demanded hundreds of deaths. Later that year, Kyrgyzstan gained a new democratic constitution and was able to hold its first free and fair elections. Livestock management and gold mining are important industries for the economy.
- Abbreviationfinder: Brief profiles of Kyrgyzstan, including geography, history, politics, economics as well as common acronyms about this country.
Geography and climate
Kyrgyzstan is a mountainous country in eastern Central Asia. On the surface it is slightly smaller than Norrland. The country has a pronounced inland climate with large temperature differences between seasons.
Kyrgyzstan is sandwiched between China to the east and south, Tajikistan to the south, Kazakhstan to the north and Uzbekistan to the west. The border with Uzbekistan and Tajikistan is very flexible. Both of these neighboring countries have enclaves within Kyrgyz territory.
About one third of the land area is higher than 3,000 meters above sea level. To the northeast, the Tien Shan mountain range runs, while the Pamir Mountains (on Kyrgyz Barm-i-Dunjah – the roofs of the world) form a border with Tajikistan in the southwest. Both Tien Shan and Pamir have peaks that reach over 7,000 meters. Earthquakes often occur in mountain areas.
In northeastern Kyrgyzstan lies the large brackish lake Issyk-Kul (also Issikköl) in an old crater surrounded by high mountain peaks. The lake, whose greatest depth is about 700 meters, never freezes because it is heated by water from hot springs.
Country Facts
Geography
| Cultivated land | 55.4 % |
| Land area | 199951 km 2 |
Population and health
| Population development | 1.11 ‰ |
| Urban population (Urbanization) | 37.7 % |
| Death rate | 6.65 per 1000 residents |
| Life expectancy: Women | 74.8 years |
| Life expectancy: Men | 66.19 years |
| Birth rate | 22.98 births per 1000 residents |
| HDI index | 0.655 |
| Population | 5664939 |
| Infant mortality | 27.73 deaths / 1000 births |
Population Graph Source: Countryaah.com
Energy
| Electricity, production | 14970 million kWh |
| Energy consumption per resident | kg. oil per resident |
| Natural gas, production | 32 million cubic meters |
| Crude oil, production | million tons |
Infrastructure
| Internet users | 24.2 per 100 residents |
| Mobile subscriptions | 135 per 100 residents |
| Passenger cars | 59 per 1000 residents |
Business and economics
| Unemployment | 8% of the workforce |
| GDP | 3400 per resident |
| Primary occupations | 48 % |
| Secondary profession | 12.5 % |
| Tertiary professions | 39.5 % |
The Naryn River flows up into the mountains to the east and continues west into Uzbekistan, where it flows into the Syr-Darja River. The rivers of Kyrgyzstan often originate in glaciers and are important for the irrigation of agriculture. Cultivable areas can only be found in the Fergana Valley in the west and on the high plateau around the capital Bishkek in the north.
Summer in Kyrgyzstan is long and hot, while winter is short and cold. In winter time it can be below 30 minus degrees in Bishkek. The temperature changes between day and night can also be large.
In the plains in the north and in the Fergana valley comes spring early. Western and northwesterly winds bring precipitation that can be plentiful, up to 1,000 mm annually in the Fergana Valley. In the eastern Tien Shan mountains on the border with China, however, no more than 100 mm of precipitation falls annually.
FACTS – GEOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE
Surface
198,500 km2 (2018)
Time
Swedish +4 hours
Adjacent country (s)
Kazakhstan, China, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan
Capital with number of residents
Bishkek 1,001,500
Other major cities
Osj 270 300, Jalalabad 119 100, Karakol 76 500, Tokmak 64 500 (official estimate 2019)
Highest mountain
Jengish Chokusu (in the Tien Shan Mountains) (7,439 m asl)
Important rivers
Naryn
Largest lake
Issyk Fun
Average Precipitation / month
Bishkek 800 mm (Nov), 10 mm (June)
Average / day
Bishkek 24 °C (July), –15 °C (Jan)
2013
December
Mayor is deposed
The disputed Kyrgyz nationalist mayor Melis Myrzakmatov in Osh is dismissed. The government has previously tried to oust Myrzakmatov, who has ties to ex-President Bakiev, but has been hampered by his supporters.
Claws after arrest
Thousands of supporters of opposition politician Keldibekov storm the regional government office in Osh and demand his release (see November 2013). Many of the protesters are on horseback. Police manage to prevent the crowd from taking over the building, but a number of police officers are injured.
November
Oppositionist top politicians are arrested
Leading opposition politician and former President Achmatbek Keldibekov is arrested on charges of abuse of power and economic irregularities. Keldibekov claims that the charges are politically motivated. Protesters block a major road outside the city of Osh demanding that he be released, and in Bishkek a protest with the same demands is held outside Parliament.
Well-known lawyer is abused
Attorney Ikramiddin Aitkulov – known for defending opposition politicians and activists – is badly beaten by unknown perpetrators outside his home. He is taken to hospital unconscious with severe concussion and broken bones. Aitkulov was a defense lawyer for the three opposition leaders who were sentenced to prison for coup attempt (see August 2013).
October
Prosecution for bad mining contract
The prosecutor prosecuted three previous ministers for the mining agreement concluded with Canadian Centerra Gold in 2003, which gave the state only 17 percent of the Kumtor mine and the company 83 percent. The charges relate to corruption. The agreement was renegotiated in 2009, when the state gained 33 percent.
Political conflict about mining
After further demonstrations demanding the nationalization of the country’s largest gold mine Kumtor (see May 2013), Parliament votes down the government’s proposal for state cooperation with the Canadian mining company Centerra Gold, where both parties would own 50 percent each. Parliament requires state ownership of the mine to 67 percent, while the company requires at least 50 percent for its part.
August
HD refuses free judgment
The Supreme Court cancels the acquittal against the three opposition leaders accused of coup attempts (see June 2013). They lose their seats in Parliament and must serve their prison sentences of between one year and 18 months. The verdict is considered politically motivated by the opposition.
July
Hard punishment for Islamists
Nine members of an Islamist extremist group are sentenced to long prison sentences for armed assaults in Bishkek at the end of 2010 and early 2011. Three men are sentenced to life imprisonment, four each to 23 years and two men to 22 years.
HD looks over liberating judgment against oppositionists
The Supreme Court decides to raise the cases with the three opposition leaders (see March 2013 and June 2013) for a new trial. The chief prosecutor in Bishkek has appealed against the acquittal verdict.
June
Sentenced opposition politicians are freed
The three opposition leaders are acquitted after the appeal by the prison judges for alleged coup attempt (see March 2013). The three judges who acquit them go underground. Decides that the US use of the Manas military base should cease in July 2014. The decision must be signed by President Atambayev in order to be valid;
Exiled leader is sentenced
Former Prime Minister Danijar Usenov, who fled the country, is sentenced in his absence to 15 years in prison for corruption during his time as mayor of Bishkek.
Revolt in the south
The protests in the Issyk-Kul region spread to Jalalabad in the south, where hundreds of people storm the governor’s office, appoint a “people’s governor” and demand the release of incarcerated opposition leaders. The “People’s Governor” is being seized by the authorities.
May
State of emergency after protests
Following violent protests at a gold mine, followed by police action with tear gas, rubber bullets and shock grenades, President Atambayev announces a state of emergency in a district in the Issyk-Kul region. At least 55 people are injured and 80 are arrested by police. The protesters demand that the Canadian majority-owned mine be nationalized.
Cooperation with the United States is terminated
The government decides to terminate the agreement with the US that NATO has the right to use Mana’s airfields as a transit center for military operations in Afghanistan. When the NATO troops left Afghanistan in 2014, there should be no military installations at Manas, according to the government whose decision must be approved by Parliament. Manas houses approximately 1,000 American soldiers and several military tankers.
March
Opposition politicians are imprisoned
The three arrested MPs from Fäderneslandet are sentenced to prison for leading a violent protest action (see October 2012) with demands for the nationalization of the Kumtor gold mine. They are charged with attempted coup and the penalty is between one year and 18 months.
Ex-minister jailed for corruption
Former Minister of Social Affairs Ravshan Sabirov is sentenced to five years in prison for corruption, and his Deputy Minister is sentenced to three years in prison. Both are convicted of receiving bribes in connection with the adoption of Kyrgyz children abroad.
February
The president is doomed
The downed President Bakijev is sentenced in his absence to 24 years in prison for abuse of power during his term of office 2005-2010. Bakijev’s brother and former security chief is sentenced to life imprisonment for murder and other crimes. Two sons of Bakijev also receive long prison sentences.
January
Oppositionists demonstrate
Hundreds of opposition supporters demonstrate in Jalalabad. They demand a fair trial for the three arrested opposition leaders (see October 2012).
Strict punishment for bridesmaids
President Atambayev signs a law that raises the maximum penalty for bridesmaids from three to seven years in prison. If the kidnapped bride is younger than 17, the minimum age for marriage, the sentence can be up to ten years in prison.