Key Facts about Kyrgyzstan

Official Name: The Kyrgyz Republic

Geographical Location: Kyrgyzstan, nestled in the heart of Central Asia, shares its borders with Kazakhstan to the north, Uzbekistan to the west, Tajikistan to the southwest, and China to the southeast. The country is predominantly mountainous, with the towering Tian Shan range covering much of the central region. These mountains provide a stunning backdrop, making Kyrgyzstan an ideal destination for hiking enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. Although it is landlocked and far from any ocean, the pristine shores of Lake Issyk-Kul offer visitors a perfect setting for a beach getaway. The country’s climate is continental, meaning summers can be quite hot, with average temperatures reaching around 30°C (86°F) in urban areas. This makes mountain escapes and swimming in alpine lakes an attractive option. Winters are colder, often dipping to freezing temperatures, making Kyrgyzstan an excellent destination for winter sports like skiing. Visitors to the country can also enjoy the famous Central Asian hospitality and immerse themselves in the rich Kyrgyz culture. The epic poem «Manas,» the longest of its kind in the world, holds a special place in Kyrgyz heritage and is commemorated at various landmarks and monuments.

Size and Dimensions: The Kyrgyz Republic spans about 900 kilometers from east to west and 410 kilometers from north to south. It lies between 39°N and 43°N latitude, covering an area of nearly 200,000 square kilometers.

Land Borders: Kyrgyzstan shares a total of 4,573 kilometers of land borders with neighboring countries, including China (1,063 km), Kazakhstan (1,212 km), Tajikistan (984 km), and Uzbekistan (1,314 km).

Population: Approximately 6 million people live in Kyrgyzstan.

• Bishkek: 900,000
• Osh: 210,000
• Jalal-Abad: 70,000
• Karakol: 65,000
• Tokmok: 60,000 Read more >>>

Capital City: Bishkek, the capital and largest city, is Kyrgyzstan’s political, economic, and administrative hub. It also holds great historical and cultural significance. Founded in 1878 and serving as the capital since 1926, Bishkek is home to government offices, embassies, and international organizations. With its parks, cafes, museums, and shopping centers, Bishkek is a vibrant city that balances its rich history with modern conveniences. As of 2015, the city’s population reached around one million. Read more >>>

Languages: The official language of Kyrgyzstan is Kyrgyz, though Russian also holds official status and is commonly used in business and politics. While Kyrgyz is widely spoken across the country and is now the language of parliament, Russian remains a critical language for many affairs. Uzbek is also spoken, particularly in the southern regions. Kyrgyz is written using a modified Cyrillic alphabet, and students can choose to attend schools taught in Kyrgyz, Russian, or Uzbek. Kyrgyz belongs to the Turkic language family and is closely related to Kazakh and Karakalpak. It shares more distant ties with other Turkic languages such as Turkish, Uzbek, Turkmen, and Uighur. Bilingualism and multilingualism are common throughout Kyrgyzstan.

Religion: About 80% of the population identifies as non-denominational Muslim, with 15% adhering to Russian Orthodoxy, and the remainder following various other religions. Though religion plays an important role in Kyrgyz culture and is often tied to ethnicity and tradition, it does not dominate daily life. Since gaining independence from the atheist Soviet Union, interest in religion and spirituality has grown, with Islam starting to exert a greater influence on public and political life. Despite this, Kyrgyzstan maintains a secular government that closely monitors and regulates religious organizations. Read more >>>

Government: Kyrgyzstan operates as a unitary parliamentary republic, with a president serving as the head of state and a prime minister leading the government. The country’s parliament, called the Jogorku Kenesh, plays a central role in legislative affairs.

Provinces and Districts: The country is divided into seven provinces, alongside two independent cities with the same status as provinces. The provinces are Batken, Osh, Jalal-Abad, Naryn, Issyk-Kul, Chuy, and Talas. The two independent cities are Bishkek and Osh.

Currency: The official currency of Kyrgyzstan is the Kyrgyz som (KGS), which is subdivided into 100 tyiyn. Banknotes in circulation include denominations of 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000, and 5000 som. Coins are available in 1, 3, 5, and 10 som, though tyiyn coins are rarely used. Read more >>>

State Symbols:

• Flag: Kyrgyzstan’s flag features a yellow tunduk, the traditional circular top of a yurt, set against a red background. The tunduk represents both home and the universe, while the 40 sun rays radiating from it symbolize the 40 tribes of Kyrgyzstan. Read more >>>
• Emblem: The Kyrgyz emblem showcases a hawk soaring in front of a breathtaking panorama of the Tian Shan mountains and a rising sun. Light blue dominates the emblem, representing courage and generosity, qualities highly valued in Kyrgyz tradition. Read more >>>