Кыргыз республикакасынын
Кыргызская республика

coat of arms (In Detail) (Full size)
National motto: Xxxxx
Official languages	Kirghiz, Russian
Capital	Bishkek
President	Askar Akayev
Prime Minister	Nikolay Timofeyevich 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 Code	996

Table of contents

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

History

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

Oblastlar

Bishkek Shaary*, Chuy Oblasty (Bishkek), Jalal-Abad Oblasty, Naryn Oblasty, Osh Oblasty, Talas Oblasty, Ysyk-Kol Oblasty (Karakol)

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

Geography

Places include: Kara-Su

Lake: Issyk Kul

Economy

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 had moderate growth in 1999 of 3.4% with a similar rate expected for 2000.

Demographics

Culture

• Manas epic poem

Miscellaneous topics

• Communications in Kyrgyzstan
• Transportation in Kyrgyzstan
• Military of Kyrgyzstan
• Foreign relations of Kyrgyzstan

• http://www.centralasiannews.com
• http://www.centralasiatravel.com
• CountryGuide:: Kyrgyzstan --editor-maintained directory focused on travel planning and research.
• The "Manas" epos