About Kyrgyzstan
Location and territory
Kyrgyzstan (official name: the Kyrgyz Republic) is a land-locked mountainous country in Central Asia, bordering Kazakhstan in the north, China in the east, Tajikistan in the southwest and Uzbekistan in the west. It lies between latitudes 39º and 44º N, and longitudes 69º and 81º E. The mountainous region of the Tian –Shan covers over 80 percent of the country.
Issyk-Kul Lake in the north-eastern Tian-Shan is the largest lake in Kyrgyzstan and the second largest mountain lake on the world after Titicaca. The highest peaks are in the Kakshaal-Too range, forming the Chinese border. Peak Jengish Chokusu – 7, 439 meters (24, 406 feet), is the highest point and is considers by geologist to be the northern- most peak over 7, 000 meters ( 22, 966 feet) in the world.
Kyrgyzstan has significant deposits of metals including gold and rare earth metals. Due to the country’s predominantly mountainous terrain, less than eight percent of the land is cultivated, and this is concentrated in the northern lowlands and the fringes of the Fergana Valley.
Bishkek in the north is the capital and largest city with the population of over one million. The second largest city is an ancient town of Osh, located in the Fergana Valley near the border with Uzbekistan. The principal river is the Kara –Dariya, which flows west through the Fergana Valley into Uzbekistan. Across the border in Uzbekistan it meets another major Kyrgyz river – the Naryn.
Climate
Kyrgyzstan has a continental climate with sharp local variations. In January the average lowland temperature is – 5C, a little warmer in Osh and around the Issyk-Kul Lake (“Warm Lake”) which does not freeze in winter. Mountain valley temperatures typically fall to -30C, or lower, the record being - 53.6 C. In winter, Bishkek temperatures range between +4 C during the day and -20C at night. Freezing fog sometimes closes the airport and makes roads perilous. In the lowlands, thaw begins in February or March. The period from May to September is the best time for trekking, although in the mountains rains and snow are possible at any time. The average lowland temperature for July and August is 26-30C, although it can rise up to 40C. Highland temperature average at 8-12C. Higher valleys see sub-zero temperatures at night even in summer. Weather in the mountains changes constantly, taking you through the extremes of winter and summer in one day. Kyrgyzstan is generally sunny with an average of 247 sunny days per year. Snow usually falls by September in the mountains, and by November in the lowlands. By October, the average temperature in Bishkek drops to about 10C.
Population, alphabet, language and religion
Kyrgyzstan’s population is estimated at around five and a half million in 2011. The average population density is 29 people per one square kilometer.
The nation’s largest ethnic group in Kyrgyz, a Turkic people, who comprise about 80% of the population. Other ethnic groups include Russians (0.9 %) concentrated in the north and Uzbeks (14.5 %) living in the south. Small but noticeable minorities include Tatars (1.9 %), Uyghurs (1.1 %), Tajiks (1.1 %), Kazakhs (0.7 %), Ukrainians (0.5 %), and other smaller ethnic minorities (1.7 %). Kyrgyzstan has over 80 distinct ethnic groups in the country.
Kyrgyzstan is a bilingual country: Kyrgyz is the state language and Russian is an official language. The Kyrgyz was originally written in the Arabic alphabet until the 20th century. Latin script was introduced and adopted in 1928, and was subsequently replaced by Cyrillic script in 1941. People understand and speak Russian all over the country, except for some remote mountain areas.
Russian is the mother tongue of the majority of Bishkek residents, and most business and political affairs are carried out in this language.
Islam is the dominant religion in Kyrgyzstan, as 86.3 % of the populations are Muslims, while 17 percent follow Russian Orthodoxy and three percent other religions. Kyrgyzstan Muslims are mostly following the Sunni Islam and are known to be very tolerant. The southern part of the country (Osh, Batken, Jalal-Abad oblasts) is more conservative than the North.
Currency, banking, money exchange.
There are numerous exchange booths in the center of Bishkek, taking all the main currencies including U.S. dollars, Euros, Chinese yuans, Russian rubles, Uzbek sums and Kazakh tenge. All banks have exchange service but it is possible to find more attractive rates at private exchange booths (booths between Moskovskaya and Bokonbaeva Streets just in the center of the city usually have the highest exchange rates). Make sure the notes you are changing are new (post - 1995) and unblemished. If you try to exchange a torn note, you’ll probably have it refused. Several banks with cash travelers cheques, especially American Express, provide credit card advances; several also offer Western Union Money Transfer services. There is a growing number of ATMs offering international withdrawals located at various commercial centers.
Trade centers and bazaars
A wide trade network, which includes trade centers, boutiques, and shops offer a wide range of fresh foods products, home appliances, furniture, clothes, souvenirs and gifts. For a list of trade centers see a section below. Bazaars are the real blood of Kyrgyzstan and in Bishkek there are many of them. Osh Bazaar is mainly food and vegetable but it offers something for everybody. Dordoi Bazaar is probably the largest container bazaar in Central Asia and sells everything, although garments, shoes, and electronics are the main attraction. Thousands of containers display goods from different part of the world but Chinese good are the largest. Here you will find the European section, the Turkish section, the Chinese, the Kyrgyz section. Also if you do not need to buy anything a visit to Dordoi is always an experience. In moving through the hundreds of shopping alleys beware of pickpockets. Other markets include the Voenno-Antonovka car bazaar, Alamedin bazaar, Comfort bazaar for building materials, Orto-Sai bazaar, and Taatan bazaar for building materials and furniture.
Bishkek entertainment
In Bishkek there is something for everybody from morning to late evening. Stroll along the beautiful avenue of Erkindik or Molodaya Gvardia, or visit museums and hundreds of small restaurants and cafés. In evenings the Opera and Ballet Theater, the Philarmonia and the Russian Drama Theatre always offer quality shows. There are many places where you can take the children but in the evening the city becomes wild, with saunas, casinos, gambling houses, discos with music and a lot of good food. See the appropriate section for a selection of the best places. In general prices are much lower than in Kazakhstan, Russia and the other CIS countries, not to mention Europe, America and Japan. In any case everything will depend on the quality of service and the level of the establishment.
Bishkek sightseeing
There are many leisure places in the city and interesting parks. Start your tour of the city from the main square of Alatoo and design your own walking tours using a map, just ask friends and the hotel. Soviet memorabilia are one attraction but there are many local places to visit. We suggest to visit the Frunze Memorial House Museum, the National Museum of Fine Arts, the National Museum of History ( the former Lenin Museum), the Parliament (Jogorku Kenesh), and the White House. Move on to the Maldybaev Kyrgyz State Theatre of Opera and Ballet, the Russian Drama Theatre, the Bishkek City Drama Theatre, the Oak Park, the Kyrgyz National Philarmonic Society, and Victory Square. The Osh Bazaar is worth a special visit. That’s the place where you can buy some national souvenirs.
Public Holidays
Please note that the borders at Torugart and Irkeshtam passes are closed on public holidays and at weekends, and also during the Chinese New Year and also during some time in the wintertime due to show.
Kyrgyz official holidays are as follows:
January 1 – New Year’s Day
January 7 – Russian Orthodox Christmas
February 23 – Army Day
March 8 - Women’s Day
March 21 – Nooruz (Muslim Spring Festival)
March 24 - People’s Revolution Day
May 1 – Labour Day
May 5 – Constitution Day
May 9 – Victory Day (World War ІІ)
August 31 – Independence Day
November 7 – October 1917 Revolution Day
The dates for the Muslim Festivals for Orozo Ait (end of Ramadan) and Kurban Ait (Feast of the Sacrifice) depend on phases of the moon and change each year. Ait occurs 70 days after Orozo Ait.
