A Guide to Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyz Republic is a landlocked country in the middle of Central Asia; it covers an area of about 200,000 square kilometers (77,220 square miles). The country is bordered by Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and China. The ridges of the Pamir-Alai and the Tien Shan systems are the most obvious features of the country, with the highest point Victory Peak (Pik Pobedy) of 7,439 m/24,406 ft. Kyrgyzstan has a much diversified landscape. The flora and fauna of the Kyrgyz Republic have numerous rare endangered wildlife species like the snow Leopard (Uncia uncia) and the Marco Polo Sheep (Ovis ammon polii).
General Info for Visitors
Climate: The climate of Kyrgyzstan is is distinctly continental, dry. Kyrgyzstan's climate is extremely diverse due largely to its mountainous terrain —dry continental to sub-polar in high Tien Shan, with the northern foothills being a cool temperate zone, subtropical in southwest (Fergana Valley). The ambient air all over the country is dry; the average number of days of sunshine per year is 247.
Population: 5 million (UN estimate 2003). Population of Kyrgyzstan is multi ethnic. More than 90 ethnic groups live in Kyrgyzstan.
Ethnic groups: Kyrgyz 64.9%, Uzbek 13.8%, Russian 12.5%, Dungan 1.1%, Ukrainian 1%, Uygur 1%, other 5.7%
Religions: Muslim 75%, Russian Orthodox 20%, other 5%
Languages: the State language of the country is Kyrgyz language that is a language of Turkic family of languages. Russian language has a status of the country's official language.
Government type: republic
Capital: Bishkek
National currency: Kyrgyz Som. USD 1 = KGS 42.7 (April 2009). Foreign currency in Kyrgyzstan can be changed to local currency at commercial banks and multiple currency exchange offices. Credit cards are accepted and can be encashed at banks and some major hotels. Banks work Monday through Friday and are open between 09.00 and 17.00 with Saturday and Sunday as days off. Exchange offices open round-the-clock.
Administrative divisions: 7 provinces - Batken Oblasty, Chuy Oblasty, Jalal-Abad Oblasty, Naryn Oblasty, Osh Oblasty, Talas Oblasty, Ysyk-Kol Oblasty
Legal system: based on French and Russian laws
Telephone code of Bishkek: +996 312 ХХХХХХ
Cellular network covers the entire territory of Kyrgyzstan. There are six mobile operators providing services using D-AMPS, GSM and CDMA standards.
Codes of Kyrgyz mobile operators: + 996 555, +996 550 (Megacom), +996 775, +996 777, +996 772, +996 773, +996 770 (Bitel or Mobi), +996 577 (Nexi), +996 543, +996 545 (Fonex), +996 517 (Katel), c +996 700 по +996 709 (О!)
Time zone: GMT +5 (Summer)
Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Round two-pin continental plugs are standard.
Internet country code: .kg
The Central Asian Dialogue will take place on 23—25 September 2009 in Bishkek—the capital city of the Kyrgyz Republic.
Lake Issyk-Kul (in Kyrgyz it means "warm lake") is located in the mountain basin surrounded by snow peaks of Tien Shan. It is the world's second largest high-altitude alpine lake in the world behind Lake Titicaca in South America. A combination of mild salinity of the water and special microclimate ensures the lake never freezes over even in the middle of winter.
Surrounded by the dense chain of snow-capped mountains it is lying 1608 m (5276 ft) above sea level. Lake Issyk-Kul is 180 km long by 70 km wide and 668 meters deep at the deepest point. More than 70 mountain rivers flowing into the lake endow the Issyk-Kul waters with purity. Travelers from all over the world are attracted by a large number of hotels, spas with hydrothermal springs and mud baths, guesthouses and homestays at various points around the lake shore.
In summer the temperatures at Issyk-Kul can vary widely even on the same day, at the same place, with the cool evenings, while the diurnal temperatures are high. In summer there is no sweltered heat, the climate is mild due to low humidity.
