CIA - The World Factbook

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.

Central Asia, west of China

slightly smaller than South Dakota

dry continental to polar in high Tien Shan Mountains; subtropical in southwest (Fergana Valley); temperate in northern foothill zone

peaks of Tien Shan and associated valleys and basins encompass entire nation

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

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

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

5,508,626 (July 2010 est.)

23.58 births/1,000 population (2010 est.)

6.85 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.)

-2.58 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.)

2.64 children born/woman (2010 est.)

less than 0.1% (2007 est.)

fewer than 200 (2007 est.)

Kyrgyz 64.9%, Uzbek 13.8%, Russian 12.5%, Dungan 1.1%, Ukrainian 1%, Uyghur 1%, other 5.7% (1999 census)

Muslim 75%, Russian Orthodox 20%, other 5%

Kyrgyz 64.7% (official), Uzbek 13.6%, Russian 12.5% (official), Dungun 1%, other 8.2% (1999 census)

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)

31 August 1991 (from the Soviet Union)

Independence Day, 31 August (1991)

based on French and Russian laws; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

18 years of age; universal

unicameral Supreme Council or Jogorku Kengesh (90 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)

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)

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]

Adilet Legal Clinic [Cholpon JAKUPOVA]; Coalition for Democracy and Civil Society [Dinara OSHURAKHUNOVA]; Interbilim [Asiya SASYKBAEVA]

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

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

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.

$11.66 billion (2009 est.)

$11.78 billion (2008 est.)

$10.95 billion (2007 est.)

$4.736 billion (2009 est.)

2.344 million (2007)

20.7% of GDP (2009 est.)

19.86% (31 December 2008)

25.32% (31 December 2007)

$NA (31 December 2008)

$911.1 million (31 December 2007)

$NA (31 December 2008)

$303.7 million (31 December 2007)

$NA (31 December 2008)

$558.3 million (31 December 2007)

$NA (31 December 2008)

$121 million (31 December 2007)

$92.69 million (31 December 2006)

tobacco, cotton, potatoes, vegetables, grapes, fruits and berries; sheep, goats, cattle, wool

small machinery, textiles, food processing, cement, shoes, sawn logs, refrigerators, furniture, electric motors, gold, rare earth metals

15.96 billion kWh (2007 est.)

9 billion kWh (2007 est.)

2.379 billion kWh (2007 est.)

958 bbl/day (2008 est.)

15,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)

1,890 bbl/day (2007 est.)

12,850 bbl/day (2007 est.)

40 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.)

30 million cu m (2008 est.)

750 million cu m (2008 est.)

720 million cu m (2008 est.)

5.663 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.)

-$39 million (2009 est.)

-$680 million (2008 est.)

$1.334 billion (2009 est.)

$1.847 billion (2008 est.)

cotton, wool, meat, tobacco; gold, mercury, uranium, natural gas, hydropower; machinery; shoes

Switzerland 27.2%, Russia 19.2%, Uzbekistan 14.3%, Kazakhstan 11.4%, France 6.7% (2008)

$2.379 billion (2009 est.)

$3.754 billion (2008 est.)

oil and gas, machinery and equipment, chemicals, foodstuffs

Russia 36.6%, China 17.9%, Kazakhstan 9.2%, Germany 8.2% (2008)

$1.51 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

$1.225 billion (31 December 2008 est.)

$NA (31 December 2009)

$3.467 billion (31 December 2008)

$NA (31 December 2009 est.)

soms (KGS) per US dollar - 43.069 (2009), 36.108 (2008), 37.746 (2007), 40.149 (2006), 41.012 (2005)

3.394 million (2008)

AM 3 (plus 10 repeater stations), FM 23, shortwave 2 (2009)

8 (2 countrywide and 6 regional stations; state-owned); note - there are about 20 private TV stations, most of which rebroadcast other channels (2007)

gas 254 km; oil 16 km (2009)

Balykchy (Ysyk-Kol or Rybach'ye)

Ground Forces, Air Force (includes Air Defense Forces), National Guard (2010)

18 years of age for compulsory military service (2001)

1.4% of GDP (2005 est.)

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

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