The Kyrgyz Republic (Russian: Кыргызская Республика, English: Kyrgyz Republic), abbreviated as "Kyrgyzstan" (Russian: Кыргызстан, English: Kyrgyzstan), is a landlocked country located in Central Asia. It is bordered by Kazakhstan to the north, Uzbekistan to the west, Tajikistan to the southwest, and China to the east. It covers an area of 199,900 square kilometers. As of January 2024, Kyrgyzstan has a population of 7.2 million. Bishkek is the capital and largest city of Kyrgyzstan.
It is already written in the 3rd century BC. In the 6th-13th centuries, the Kyrgyz Khanate was established. In the 16th century, he was forced to move from the upper reaches of the Yenisei River to his current place of residence. It was annexed by the Russian Empire in 1876. In 1936, the Kyrgyz Soviet Socialist Republic was established and joined the Soviet Union, becoming one of the Soviet republics. It became independent on 31 August 1991 and became the Kyrgyz Republic.
Kyrgyzstan is a member of the CIS, the Eurasian Economic Union and the Collective Security Treaty Organization; It is also a member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the Organization of Turkic-Speaking Countries and the International Organization of Turkic Culture. For the whole of 2021, Kyrgyzstan's GDP was about 7.95 billion US dollars, a year-on-year increase of 3.6%, and the inflation rate was 11.2%. In 2022, the GDP will be about 10.66 billion US dollars, a year-on-year increase of 7%, and the per capita GDP will be 1522.86 US dollars.
The Kyrgyz are the majority ethnic group of Kyrgyzstan and are a mixture of and Europa races. It is also translated as "Kyrgyz" (translated as "Kirgiz" in China). Kirghiz means "Oghuz people in the mountains", and it is also believed to mean "nomads in the mountains", "crimson", etc.
Kyrgyzstan is known as the "country of mountains", with 93% of the country's land area being mountainous, with an average altitude of 2,750 kilometers, and 54% of the country's land area suitable for the development of agriculture and animal husbandry, with a total of 10.8 million hectares. Among them, 9.34 million hectares of pastures and natural mowing land, accounting for 86.5% of agricultural and animal husbandry land; The cultivated area is 1.27 million hectares, accounting for only 11.8% of the agricultural and animal husbandry land.
Kyrgyzstan is known as the "Water Tower of Central Asia" with mountains and glaciers, abundant water resources, 4.4% of the country's land area is covered by waters, which also provides convenient conditions for the development of agriculture in Kyrgyzstan.
Kyrgyzstan is rich in arable land resources, large area of natural pastures, showing an industrial organization dominated by agriculture and animal husbandry, agriculture occupies a pivotal position in the national economy, the development of planting and animal husbandry go hand in hand, corn, wheat, oats, cotton, tobacco and vegetables are its main crops, and more than 62% of the country's personnel are engaged in agricultural production and agricultural services.
In Kyrgyzstan, land-intensive products should be the main crops, and food crops and cash crops should become the main body of the agricultural economy. The Government of Kyrgyzstan attaches great importance to food production, but its overall agricultural production capacity is weak and it is facing the problem of food security. In recent years, the government has actively introduced policies to benefit the people to stimulate the development of the planting industry, and the initial results have been achieved, especially the yield and total output of cereals have been greatly improved, but there is still a lot of room for growth.
Kyrgyzstan is a large country in Central Asia, with a long history and relatively developed animal husbandry, with more than 9 million hectares of pastures and natural mowing pastures, as well as sufficient sunshine to become unique conditions for the development of animal husbandry. In recent years, the animal husbandry industry has developed rapidly, mainly beef and mutton, skin, wool, eggs, dairy products, etc., and live animal products have shown strong export advantages. While the amount of livestock and poultry has increased, the number of related products has also shown a steady growth.
geographical location
Kyrgyzstan is located in the heart of the Eurasian continent, which is not only a key point connecting the Eurasian continent and the Middle East, but also a necessary place for major powers to enter and exit the east and west, and to the south and north. With an area of 199,900 square kilometers, it is located in the northeast of Central Asia, with a total length of about 4,503 kilometers, bordering Kazakhstan to the north and northeast, Tajikistan to the south, Uzbekistan to the southwest, and China to the southeast and east.
Kyrgyzstan is mountainous, with an average altitude of 2,750 meters, and 90% of the territory is above 1,500 meters above sea level. The Tien Shan Mountains and the Pamir-Alai Mountains stretch along the border between China and Kyrgyzstan. Among them, the western section of the Tianshan Mountains is entrenched in the northeast of the territory, and the Pamir-Alai Mountains are located in the southwest. Among them, Tomur Peak on the border between China and Kyrgyzstan is the highest peak, with an altitude of 7,443 meters, located at the eastern end of the country.
The high mountains are covered with snow all year round and have many glaciers. Between the mountains, there are the Issyk-Kul Lake basin, the Chu River valley, etc. The lowlands occupy only 15% of the land area and are mainly found in the Ferghana Basin in the southwest and the Talas River valley in the north. Pastures make up 43% of the total area.
Kyrgyzstan has a continental climate, with an average temperature of -6°C in January and 27°C in July.
Kyrgyzstan mainly has the Naryn River, the Chatkal River, the Sarechas River, the Chu River, the Talas River, the Karadarya River, the Kyzylsu River, etc. Issyk-Kul is the main lake and an important tourist destination in Kyrgyzstan, with a length of 178,000 meters, a width of 60,000 meters and an average depth of 278 meters, making it the fourth deepest lake in the world. The Naryn River in the upper reaches of the Syr Darya River runs through the entire territory of Kyrgyzstan.
Kyrgyzstan is rich in hydro resources. The Toktogul Hydropower Station (1.2 million kilowatts) was built. Coal, mercury and antimony ore reserves are abundant.
Kyrgyzstan is rich in mineral resources. In terms of its total volume, although it is inferior to neighboring Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, it still has certain advantages. More than 2,000 mineral fields of various types have been found in Kyrgyzstan, and most of the elements of the periodic table of chemical elements are possessed. Only some of the mineral resources have been industrially exploited, and the reserves and distribution of many resources need to be further explored and studied to determine the development prospects. As of September 2014, the dominant minerals with proven reserves include gold, tungsten, tin, mercury, antimony, iron, etc. Kyrgyzstan has many intermediary lakes and abundant water resources, ranking third among the CIS countries, second only to Russia and Tajikistan, with a potential hydropower capacity of 145 billion kilowatt hours, of which only about 10% has been exploited.
Kyrgyzstan has 3,786 species of plants, including 3,175 species of herbaceous plants, about 1,600 species of economic value, including licorice, ephedra, sea buckthorn, etc., which have medicinal value, and has the world's largest wild walnut and wild apple forests.
national flag
The flag of Kyrgyzstan is a horizontal rectangle with a ratio of length to width of about 5:3. The flag is red. In the center of the flag is a golden sun with 40 rays, representing the Kyrgyz (Kyrgyz) tribe composed of 40 tribes, with the rays facing counterclockwise on the front and clockwise on the reverse, and in the middle of the sun are two sets of three lines that cross each other, from the roof of the traditional Kyrgyz dwelling (Tjundjuk). The red color symbolizes victory, the sun symbolizes light and warmth, and the circular pattern represents the independence and unity of the country and the unity and friendship of the nation.
national emblem
The national emblem of Kyrgyzstan was launched on June 2, 1992, and is round with blue and gold as the main colors. At the top of the middle is the sun rising over the Tien Shan Mountains, and below is an eagle with wings spread. The outer part is written "Kyrgyz Republic" and decorated with ears of wheat and cotton.
Administrative divisions
Kyrgyzstan is divided into 7 regions (provinces) and 2 municipalities: Chu River Oblast, Talas Oblast, Osh Oblast, Jalalabad Oblast, Naryn Oblast, Issyk-Kul Oblast, Batken Oblast, Bishkek City, Osh City. Prefectures and cities are divided into districts, and the district administrative office is a grass-roots government agency.
The capital, Bishkek (Бишкек), has a population of 1,071,300 (April 2023). The average temperature in January is -4.7°C, and the average temperature in July is 24.5°C.
Bishkek (founded in 1878, then called "Bishkek", renamed "Frunze" in 1926, reverted to its current name on February 7, 1991), has a population of about 1.25 million (2007). Bishkek is the name given to the city by the Kyrgyz people since ancient times, and its Kyrgyz language means "stick that stirs mare's milk". The average temperature in January is -6°C, and in July the average temperature is 27°C.
It is the economic, political, cultural and sustainable center of the country, and the main transportation hub. It covers an area of 130 square kilometers. On November 15, 2016, Bishkek and Wuhan established a sister city relationship. On December 26, 2019, it ranked 395th in the 2019 Global Top 500 Cities.
tourism
Known as Kyrgyzstan's hideaway, the Semenov Gorge in Issyk-Kul Oblast, a tourist destination in Kyrgyzstan, is where local herders still live a traditional herding life.
1. Buronata (Branata)
Located in the valley of the Chu River, the ancient capital of Kyrgyzstan, it is one of the oldest buildings in the country, known for its exquisite carvings and unique architectural style, and is also scattered around many ancient stone monuments and statues, forming an open-air museum.
2. Ara Acha National Park
Located in the Tien Shan Mountains of Kyrgyzstan, the national park is known for its magnificent natural scenery and abundant wildlife resources, and is a paradise for trekking and mountaineering enthusiasts.
3. Broken Leaf City
Also known as the ruins of Ak-Behim, it was an important city on the ancient Silk Road, located near the border between Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan, and was once the center of ancient trade and cultural exchanges, as well as the birthplace of the Tang Dynasty poet Li Bai.
4. Chilchat Gorge
Located in the south of Kyrgyzstan, it is a breathtaking place with magnificent peaks and streams in the gorge for mountaineering and hiking.
5. Issyk-Kul Lake
One of the largest lakes in Kyrgyzstan, known as the "Pearl of Central Asia", has crystal clear waters and beautiful sandy beaches for swimming, sand grilling and outdoor activities, as well as many health resorts around the lake.
delicacies
Kyrgyzstan's culinary culture is heavily influenced by its geographical location and historical context, blending culinary traditions from Central Asia and the Middle East. The country's cuisine features an abundance of spices and fresh ingredients, showcasing the country's rich variety of ingredients and unique culinary techniques.
1. Plov
This is one of the most popular traditional dishes in Kyrgyzstan, similar to pilaf in Central Asia. It is made from ingredients like rice, carrots, lamb, onions, and more, and its unique seasoning makes it a delicious dish with a tangy aroma.
2、肉馅饼(Manti)
It is a dish with a meat filling wrapped in a dough and is usually served with yogurt. The production process is relatively cumbersome, but it is delicious and is a common food for festivals and special occasions.
3、马肉饺子(Chuchuk)
This is a type of dumpling with horse meat as the main ingredient and is usually eaten with a chili sauce. Horse meat is considered a precious ingredient in Kyrgyzstan and is used to make a variety of cuisines.
4、糊涂汤(Disfigured)
It is a soup with lamb, noodles, and vegetables as the main ingredients. In Kyrgyzstan, mud soup is regarded as a traditional delicacy and represents friendship and reunion.
5、拉格曼(Lagman)
It is a noodle soup dish that consists of noodles, vegetables, and meat. The soup base is usually made from tomatoes and is a nourishing delicacy loved by Kyrgyzstanis.
To sum up, Kyrgyzstan is a country with beautiful natural scenery, diverse cultures, a thriving economy, and in-depth educational cooperation. With the in-depth implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative, the cooperation between China and Kyrgyzstan will become closer and bring more benefits to the people of the two countries.