Kyrgyzstan

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Kyrgyzstan

 

Bishkek Lake Issyk-kul Osh

 

the flag

 

the country

 

national costume

 

Clock tower in Bishkek

Kyrgyzstan, officially Kyrgyz Republic (Kyrgyz Respublikasy), landlocked republic in the eastern part of Central Asia that is bordered on the north by Kazakhstan, on the east by China, on the south by China and Tajikistan, and on the west by Uzbekistan. Bishkek is the capital and largest city.

Photos of Bishkek

The Kyrgyz, a Turkic-speaking people, constitute a slim majority of the multiethnic population of Kyrgyzstan. 

 

the "yurt" dwelling in the former nomadic life

The constitution enshrines Kyrgyz as the country’s state language, although Russian continues to be used widely. Kyrgyzstan became part of the Russian Empire in the late 1800s. In 1924 it was incorporated into the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) as an autonomous region, and in 1936 its status was upgraded and it became one of the 15 constituent republics of the USSR, officially called the Kirgiz Soviet Socialist Republic (SSR).

 

Buryan tower (11th century)
formerly on the Silk road

The republic was also commonly known as Kirgizia under Soviet rule, and Russians continue to call it that today. Kyrgyzstan became independent from the USSR in 1991. In 1993 the republic ratified its first post-Soviet constitution.

 

Osh market

Photos of the Western town of Osh


The total area of Kyrgyzstan is 198,500 sq km (76,640 sq mi). The country is almost completely mountainous. More than half of Kyrgyzstan lies at an elevation higher than 2500 m (8200 ft), and only about one-eighth of the country lies lower than 1500 m (about 4900 ft). Glaciers and permanent snowfields cover more than 3 percent of Kyrgyzstan’s total land area. An underlying seismic belt causes frequent earthquakes.

 

lunch with a family

 

their dwelling

 

women of the family

Photos of Lake Issyk-kul

Kyrgyzstan is located at the juncture of two great Central Asian mountain systems (the Tien Shan and the Pamirs).

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Bishkek Lake Issyk-kul Osh

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