The Kyrgyzstan reference article from the English Wikipedia on 24-Apr-2004
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Kyrgyzstan

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Kyrgyzstan (Кыргызстан) is a country in Central Asia. It has borders with the People's Republic of China, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan. Its capital is Bishkek.

Кыргыз республикакасынын
Кыргызская республика
Kyrgyzskaya respublika
Image:Kyrgyzstan_flag_medium.png 100px
(In Detail) (Full size)
National motto: none
image:LocationKyrgyzstan.png
Official languages Kirghiz, Russian
Capital Bishkek
President Askar Akayev
Prime Minister Nikolay Tanayev
Area
 - Total
 - % water
Ranked 85th
198,500 km²
3.6%
Population
 - Total (2000)
 - Density
Ranked 112th
4,753,003
24/km²
Independence
 - Declared
 - Recognised
From Soviet Union
August 31, 1991
(Year)
Currency Som
Time zone UTC +5
National anthem Xxxxx
Internet TLD.KG
Calling Code996

Table of contents
1 History
2 Politics
3 Oblastlar
4 Geography
5 Economy
6 Demographics
7 Culture
8 Miscellaneous topics
9 External links

History

Main article: History of Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan was annexed by the Russian Empire in 1864; it achieved independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. Under the USSR, its full name was the Kirghiz Soviet Socialist Republic, and was commonly referred to as Kirghizia or Kirghiz SSR.

Politics

Main article: Politics of Kyrgyzstan

Oblastlar

Main article: Oblastlar of Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan is divided into 7 oblasts (singular - oblast) and 2 cities:

Bishkek city, Batken oblast (Batken), Chui oblast (Tokmok), Jalalabad oblast (Jalalabad), Naryn Oblast, Osh Oblast, Osh city,Talas oblast, Yssyk-Kul oblast (Karakol).

Note: administrative divisions have the same names as their administrative centers (exceptions have the administrative center name following in parentheses).

Geography

Main article: Geography of Kyrgyzstan

Map of KyrgyzstanEnlarge

Map of Kyrgyzstan


Places include: Kara-Su

Lake: Issyk Kul

Economy

Main article: Economy of Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan is a small, poor, mountainous country with a predominantly agricultural economy. Cotton, wool, and meat are the main agricultural products and exports. Industrial exports include gold, mercury, uranium, and electricity. Kyrgyzstan has been one of the most progressive countries of the former Soviet Union in carrying out market reforms. Following a successful stabilization program, which lowered inflation from 88% in 1994 to 15% for 1997, attention is turning toward stimulating growth. Much of the government's stock in enterprises has been sold. Drops in production had been severe since the breakup of the Soviet Union in December 1991, but by mid-1995 production began to recover and exports began to increase. Pensioners, unemployed workers, and government workers with salary arrears continue to suffer. Foreign assistance played a substantial role in the country's economic turnaround in 1996-97. The government has adopted a series of measures to combat such severe problems as excessive external debt, inflation, inadequate revenue collection, and the spillover from Russia's economic disorders. Kyrgyzstan has enjoyed moderate growth every year since 1999.

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Kyrgyzstan

Culture

Main article: Culture of Kyrgyzstan

Holidays
DateEnglish NameLocal NameRemarks

Miscellaneous topics

External links


Central Asia
Kazakhstan | Kyrgyzstan | Tajikistan | Turkmenistan | Uzbekistan


Commonwealth of Independent States
Armenia | Azerbaijan | Belarus | Georgia | Kazakhstan | Kyrgyzstan | Moldova | Russia | Tajikistan | Turkmenistan | Ukraine | Uzbekistan