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Central Asia :: Kyrgyzstan
page last updated on May 6, 2010
Flag of Kyrgyzstan
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Location of Kyrgyzstan
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Introduction ::Kyrgyzstan
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A Central Asian country of incredible natural beauty and proud nomadic traditions, most of Kyrgyzstan was formally annexed to Russia in 1876. The Kyrgyz staged a major revolt against the Tsarist Empire in 1916 in which almost one-sixth of the Kyrgyz population was killed. Kyrgyzstan became a Soviet republic in 1936 and achieved independence in 1991 when the USSR dissolved. Nationwide demonstrations in the spring of 2005 resulted in the ouster of President Askar AKAEV, who had run the country since 1990. Subsequent presidential elections in July 2005 were won overwhelmingly by former prime minister Kurmanbek BAKIEV. Over the next few years, the new president manipulated the parliament to accrue new powers for himself. In July 2009, after months of harassment against his opponents and media critics, BAKIEV won re-election in a presidential campaign that the international community deemed flawed. In April 2010, nationwide protests led to the resignation and expulsion of BAKIEV. He was replaced by Acting President Roza OTUNBAYEVA who called for new elections in six months time. Continuing concerns include: endemic corruption, poor interethnic relations, and terrorism.
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Geography ::Kyrgyzstan
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Central Asia, west of China
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41 00 N, 75 00 E
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total: 199,951 sq km
country comparison to the world: 86
land: 191,801 sq km
water: 8,150 sq km
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slightly smaller than South Dakota
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total: 3,051 km
border countries: China 858 km, Kazakhstan 1,224 km, Tajikistan 870 km, Uzbekistan 1,099 km
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0 km (landlocked)
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none (landlocked)
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Current Weather
dry continental to polar in high Tien Shan Mountains; subtropical in southwest (Fergana Valley); temperate in northern foothill zone
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peaks of Tien Shan and associated valleys and basins encompass entire nation
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lowest point: Kara-Daryya (Karadar'ya) 132 m
highest point: Jengish Chokusu (Pik Pobedy) 7,439 m
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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
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arable land: 6.55%
permanent crops: 0.28%
other: 93.17%
note: Kyrgyzstan has the world's largest natural-growth walnut forest (2005)
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10,720 sq km (2003)
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46.5 cu km (1997)
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total: 10.08 cu km/yr (3%/3%/94%)
per capita: 1,916 cu m/yr (2000)
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NA
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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
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party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
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landlocked; entirely mountainous, dominated by the Tien Shan range; 94% of the country is 1,000 m above sea level with an average elevation of 2,750 m; many tall peaks, glaciers, and high-altitude lakes
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People ::Kyrgyzstan
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5,508,626 (July 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 110
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0-14 years: 29.4% (male 827,346/female 794,746)
15-64 years: 65% (male 1,754,681/female 1,827,553)
65 years and over: 5.5% (male 118,215/female 186,085) (2010 est.)
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total: 24.7 years
male: 23.8 years
female: 25.6 years (2010 est.)
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1.414% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 89
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23.58 births/1,000 population (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 71
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6.85 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 145
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-2.58 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 141
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urban population: 36% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 1.6% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
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at birth: 1.053 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 (2010 est.)
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total: 30.25 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 73
male: 35.09 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 25.15 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
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total population: 69.74 years
country comparison to the world: 148
male: 65.74 years
female: 73.94 years (2010 est.)
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2.64 children born/woman (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 83
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less than 0.1% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 119
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4,200 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 125
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fewer than 200 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 111
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noun: Kyrgyzstani(s)
adjective: Kyrgyzstani
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Kyrgyz 64.9%, Uzbek 13.8%, Russian 12.5%, Dungan 1.1%, Ukrainian 1%, Uyghur 1%, other 5.7% (1999 census)
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Muslim 75%, Russian Orthodox 20%, other 5%
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Kyrgyz 64.7% (official), Uzbek 13.6%, Russian 12.5% (official), Dungun 1%, other 8.2% (1999 census)
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definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 98.7%
male: 99.3%
female: 98.1% (1999 census)
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total: 12 years
male: 12 years
female: 13 years (2006)
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4.9% of GDP (2005)
country comparison to the world: 77
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Government ::Kyrgyzstan
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conventional long form: Kyrgyz Republic
conventional short form: Kyrgyzstan
local long form: Kyrgyz Respublikasy
local short form: Kyrgyzstan
former: Kirghiz Soviet Socialist Republic
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republic
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name: Bishkek
geographic coordinates: 42 52 N, 74 36 E
time difference: UTC+6 (11 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
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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)
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31 August 1991 (from the Soviet Union)
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Independence Day, 31 August (1991)
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21 October 2007
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based on French and Russian laws; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
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18 years of age; universal
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chief of state: Acting President Roza OTUNBAYEVA (since 7 April 2010); note - OTUNBAYEVA became acting president following the early April 2010 riots that overthrew President Kurmanbek BAKIEV
head of government: Prime Minister Daniyar USENOV (21 October 2009-7 April 2010); note - USENOV resigned following the riots that overthrew the ruling leadership in early April 2010; no replacement has been named
cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers proposed by the prime minister, appointed by the president; ministers in charge of defense and security, are appointed solely by the president
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elections: Kurmanbek BAKIEV reelected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held on 23 July 2009 (next scheduled for fall 2010); prime minister nominated by the parliamentary party holding more than 50% of the seats; if no such party exists, the president selects the party that will nominate a prime minister
election results: Kurmanbek BAKIEV elected president; percent of vote - Kurmanbek BAKIEV 76.1%, Almaz ATAMBAEV 8.4%, Temir SARIEV 6.7%, other candidates 8.8%
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unicameral Supreme Council or Jogorku Kengesh (90 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: last held on 16 December 2007 (next to be held in 2012)
election results: Supreme Council - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Ak Jol 71, Social Democratic Party 11, KCP 8
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Supreme Court; Constitutional Court (judges of both the Supreme and Constitutional Courts are appointed for 10-year terms by the Jogorku Kengesh on the recommendation of the president; their mandatory retirement age is 70 years); Higher Court of Arbitration; Local Courts (judges appointed by the president on the recommendation of the National Council on Legal Affairs for a probationary period of five years, then 10 years)
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Ak Jol (Good Luck) [Tabyldy OROZALIEV]; Ak Shumkar (Gerfalcon) [Temir SARIEV]; Ar-Namys (Dignity) Party [Feliks KULOV]; Asaba (Banner National Revival Party) [Sovetbek JAMALDINOV]]; Ata-Meken (Fatherland) [Omurbek TEKEBAEV]; Erkindik (Freedom) Party [Topchubek TURGUNALIEV]; For Justice Movement [Alikbek JEKSHENKULOV (imprisoned)]; Party of Communists of Kyrgyzstan or KCP [Iskhak MASALIEV]; Social Democratic Party of Kyrgyzstan [Almaz ATAMBAEV]; United Kyrgyzstan [Amangeldi MURALIEV]; United People's Movement of Kyrgyzstan [Azimbek BEKNAZAROV]; Uluu Birimdik (Solidarity) Party [Emilbek KAPTAGAEV]
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Adilet Legal Clinic [Cholpon JAKUPOVA]; Coalition for Democracy and Civil Society [Dinara OSHURAKHUNOVA]; Interbilim [Asiya SASYKBAEVA]
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ADB, CICA, CIS, CSTO, EAEC, EAPC, EBRD, ECO, FAO, GCTU, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, MIGA, NAM (observer), OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, SCO, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
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chief of mission: Ambassador Zamira SYDYKOVA
chancery: 2360 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 449-9822
FAX: [1] (202) 386-7550
consulate(s): New York
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chief of mission: Ambassador Tatiana C. GFOELLER
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
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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 a "tunduk" - the crown of a traditional Kyrgyz yurt; red symbolizes bravery and valor, the sun evinces peace and wealth
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Economy ::Kyrgyzstan
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Kyrgyzstan is a poor, mountainous country with a dominant agricultural sector. 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, natural gas, and electricity. Following independence, Kyrgyzstan was progressive in carrying out market reforms such as an improved regulatory system and land reform. Kyrgyzstan was the first Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) country to be accepted into the World Trade Organization. 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. The economy is heavily weighted toward gold export and a drop in output at the main Kumtor gold mine can sparks a decline in GDP. The government made steady strides in controlling its substantial fiscal deficit, nearly closing the gap between revenues and expenditures in 2006, before boosting expenditures more than 20% in 2007-08. The government and international financial institutions have been engaged in a comprehensive medium-term poverty reduction and economic growth strategy. In 2005, Bishkek agreed to pursue much needed tax reform and in 2006 became eligible for the heavily indebted poor countries (HIPC) initiative. Progress fighting corruption, further restructuring of domestic industry, and success in attracting foreign investment are keys to future growth. GDP grew about 8% annually in 2007-08, partly due to higher gold prices internationally, but GDP fell 1% in 2009, because of declines in remittances and investment following the global financial crisis and because of lower gold production.
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$11.66 billion (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 144
$11.78 billion (2008 est.)
$10.95 billion (2007 est.)
note: data are in 2009 US dollars
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$4.736 billion (2009 est.)
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-1% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 128
7.6% (2008 est.)
8.5% (2007 est.)
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$2,100 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 184
$2,200 (2008 est.)
$2,100 (2007 est.)
note: data are in 2009 US dollars
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agriculture: 30.7%
industry: 15.9%
services: 53.4% (2009 est.)
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2.344 million (2007)
country comparison to the world: 112
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agriculture: 48%
industry: 12.5%
services: 39.5% (2005 est.)
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18% (2004 est.)
country comparison to the world: 161
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40% (2004 est.)
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lowest 10%: 3.6%
highest 10%: 25.9% (2004)
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30.3 (2003)
country comparison to the world: 111
29 (2001)
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20.7% of GDP (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 80
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revenues: $1.266 billion
expenditures: $1.276 billion (2009 est.)
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7.9% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 177
24.5% (2008 est.)
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NA%
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19.86% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 10
25.32% (31 December 2007)
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$NA (31 December 2008)
$911.1 million (31 December 2007)
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$NA (31 December 2008)
$303.7 million (31 December 2007)
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$NA (31 December 2008)
$558.3 million (31 December 2007)
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$NA (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 110
$121 million (31 December 2007)
$92.69 million (31 December 2006)
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tobacco, cotton, potatoes, vegetables, grapes, fruits and berries; sheep, goats, cattle, wool
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small machinery, textiles, food processing, cement, shoes, sawn logs, refrigerators, furniture, electric motors, gold, rare earth metals
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-20% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 162
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15.96 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 77
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9 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 89
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2.379 billion kWh (2007 est.)
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0 kWh (2008 est.)
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958 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 106
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15,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 136
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1,890 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 117
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12,850 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 134
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40 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 79
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30 million cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 85
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750 million cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 91
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0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 163
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720 million cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 57
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5.663 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 91
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-$39 million (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 65
-$680 million (2008 est.)
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$1.334 billion (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 138
$1.847 billion (2008 est.)
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cotton, wool, meat, tobacco; gold, mercury, uranium, natural gas, hydropower; machinery; shoes
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Switzerland 27.2%, Russia 19.2%, Uzbekistan 14.3%, Kazakhstan 11.4%, France 6.7% (2008)
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$2.379 billion (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 145
$3.754 billion (2008 est.)
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oil and gas, machinery and equipment, chemicals, foodstuffs
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Russia 36.6%, China 17.9%, Kazakhstan 9.2%, Germany 8.2% (2008)
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$1.51 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 100
$1.225 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
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$NA (31 December 2009)
$3.467 billion (31 December 2008)
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$NA (31 December 2009 est.)
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$NA
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soms (KGS) per US dollar - 43.069 (2009), 36.108 (2008), 37.746 (2007), 40.149 (2006), 41.012 (2005)
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Communications ::Kyrgyzstan
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494,500 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 98
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3.394 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 103
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general assessment: telecommunications infrastructure is being upgraded; loans from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) are being used to install a digital network, digital radio-relay stations, and fiber-optic links
domestic: fixed-line penetration remains low and concentrated in urban areas; multiple mobile-cellular service providers with growing coverage; mobile-cellular subscribership exceeded 60 per 100 persons in 2008
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 - 2 (1 Intersputnik, 1 Intelsat); connected internationally by the Trans-Asia-Europe (TAE) fiber-optic line (2008)
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AM 3 (plus 10 repeater stations), FM 23, shortwave 2 (2009)
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8 (2 countrywide and 6 regional stations; state-owned); note - there are about 20 private TV stations, most of which rebroadcast other channels (2007)
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.kg
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82,496 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 76
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850,000 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 95
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Transportation ::Kyrgyzstan
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29 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 116
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total: 18
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 3
1,524 to 2,437 m: 11
under 914 m: 3 (2009)
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total: 11
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 9 (2009)
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gas 254 km; oil 16 km (2009)
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total: 470 km
country comparison to the world: 116
broad gauge: 470 km 1.520-m gauge (2008)
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total: 18,500 km
country comparison to the world: 115
paved: 16,909 km (includes 140 km of expressways)
unpaved: 1,591 km (2003)
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600 km (2008)
country comparison to the world: 79
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Balykchy (Ysyk-Kol or Rybach'ye)
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Military ::Kyrgyzstan
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Ground Forces, Air Force (includes Air Defense Forces), National Guard (2010)
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18 years of age for compulsory military service (2001)
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males age 16-49: 1,439,750
females age 16-49: 1,455,806 (2010 est.)
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males age 16-49: 1,101,709
females age 16-49: 1,243,904 (2010 est.)
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male: 56,269
female: 54,004 (2010 est.)
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1.4% of GDP (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 111
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Transnational Issues ::Kyrgyzstan
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Kyrgyzstan has yet to ratify the 2001 boundary delimitation with Kazakhstan; disputes in Isfara Valley delay completion of delimitation with Tajikistan; delimitation of 130 km of border with Uzbekistan is hampered by serious disputes around enclaves and other areas
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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; major consumer of opiates
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