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Kyrgyzstan

General information

Kirgizstan is located in the heart of Central Asia, on the Great Silk Road, and has been praised over time by many poets and philosophers of the East. This area of ​​the world is rapidly becoming an attractive tourist destination as more people are now interested in understanding more about the history of the people who live here. It is divided into seven provinces administered by appointed governors. The capital, Bishkek, and Osh, the second largest city, are administratively independent cities (Shaar), having a status equal to that of a province. The seven provinces are: Batken, Jalal-Abad, Naryn, Osh, Talas, Chui, Issyk-Kul.

Geography

Kyrgyzstan is a landlocked country located in the northeastern part of Central Asia, bordering Kazakhstan to the north, China to the southeast, Tajikistan to the south and Uzbekistan to the northwest. Two great mountain systems of the world Tian Shan and Pamir cover over 80% of the country’s surface – with world-class peaks such as Mt. Pobeda (7439 m), Mt. Lenin (7134 m) and the most beautiful pyramidal peak Khan-Tengri (6995 m), Kyrgyzstan being also called the “Switzerland of Central Asia”, the rest being made up of river valleys. The Fergana Valley in the west and the Chu Valley in the north are among the few significant plain areas in Kyrgyzstan.

Kyrgyzstan has enormous fresh water reserves. Seven major rivers capture water collection basins from more than 28,000 rivers and natural springs. Three main rivers of Kyrgyzstan are: Naryn (almost 535 km long), Chu (221 km) and Chatkal (205 km). There are more than 2,000 artificial lakes and reservoirs in Kyrgyzstan. Almost 90% of them are high altitude reservoirs or closed lakes. The Naryn River, the largest river in Kyrgyzstan, rises in the mountains in the northeast and flows west through the middle of the country. Naryn then enters the Fergana Valley and crosses Uzbekistan, where it joins another river to form the Syr Darya, one of the main rivers in Central Asia. The Chu River in northern Kyrgyzstan flows from north to south Kazakhstan. Yssyk-Kul, the largest lake in Kyrgyzstan and one of the largest mountain lakes in the world, is located at an altitude of 1,607 m (5,273 ft) above sea level in the northeastern part of the country.

The fauna is varied, according to the landscape. The high mountains provide habitat for bear, lynx, wolf, badger, ermine, marten, fallow deer, ibex and mountain goat. Birds can also be seen, such as the little bustard, the bustard, the eagle, the falcon and very rarely the mountain turkeys.

Kyrgyzstan has hot summers and rather cold winters (especially in the mountains), with high contrasting seasonal and day-to-day temperatures and a very uneven distribution of atmospheric precipitation. The hottest weather is observed in the south of the country, in the Fergana Valley, where in summer the temperature can easily rise to a maximum of 40 C. In the north of the country, in Bishkek, temperatures in July are mainly below 40 C. The average temperature in January can drops to -15 C (it’s warmer in the valley while it can be -28 C in the mountains). There is a lot of snow in the mountains in winter. The annual precipitation can reach up to 1,500 mm in the western part of the country, while the mountain areas of Tian Shan, it is only 200-400 mm, especially during the summer.

Touristic attractions

Sulaiman-Too

Sulaiman-Too, (tourist attraction) The Sacred Mountain of Kyrgyzstan dominates the Fergana Valley and forms the background of the city of Osh, being at the intersection of important routes on the Central Asian Silk Roads. For more than a millennium and a half, Sulaiman was a guiding beacon for travelers revered as a sacred mountain. The five peaks and slopes contain numerous ancient places of worship and caves, with petroglyphs, as well as two largely renovated mosques from the 16th century. One hundred and one sites with petroglyphs representing people and animals, as well as geometric shapes have been indexed in the property to date. The site counts 17 places of worship, which are still in use, and many which are not. Scattered around the mountain peaks, they are connected by paths. The cult sites are believed to provide cures for infertility, headaches, and backaches and offer blessings for longevity. Reverence for the mountain combines pre-Islamic and Islamic beliefs. The site is considered to represent the most complete example of a sacred mountain anywhere in Central Asia, revered for over several millennia.

Lake ISSYK-KUL

Lake ISSYK-KUL: Length – 185 km; Width – up to 60 km; Depth – up to 702 m; Lake area – 6,200 square km; (tourist attraction).Lake Issyk-Kul, which means “Hot Lake” in the Turkic languages ​​of Central Asia, holds the title of being one of the largest alpine lakes in the world and is known as the “Pearl of Central Asia”. At an altitude of 1,609 meters above sea level, it is surpassed only by Lake Titicaca in Bolivia with the highest altitude among large mountain lakes. Two mountain ranges of the Central Tien Shan Range guard the lake – in the north – Kungei Alatau (in Turkish: “face to the sun”), and in the south – Terskei Alatau (in Turkish: “back to the sun”). No there are flows of fresh water from other rivers to the waters of Lake Issyk-Kul, so that the Lake has a high salinity.

Burana Tower

The Burana Tower (tourist attraction) is located on the site of the former Karakhanid city Balasagun, founded in the middle of the 10th century. Balasagun was contemporary with Kashgar and they shared equal administrative importance and being one of the two capitals of the Eastern Khanate. However, from a historical point of view, the surroundings of Burana evoke images of a distant and forgotten past, where the Silk Road caravans, loaded with luxury goods from East Asia, descended from the mountains to the plains to stop briefly in Burana before continuing their journey yet so far to go west.

Economy – short description

Kyrgyzstan, a fascinating destination in the heart of Central Asia, is gradually revealing its unique economic potential. With a spectacular landscape and abundant natural resources, this country is at the intersection of tradition and modern development opportunities.

The main pillars of the Kyrgyz economy:

  1. Agriculture– the engine of rural prosperity: Kyrgyzstan boasts dynamic agriculture, a sector that continues to be the heart of the rural economy. Its fertile plains produce cotton, grains, fruits and vegetables essential for domestic and foreign markets. Also, animal husbandry, a centuries-old tradition, provides high-quality products recognized throughout the region.
  2. Mineral resources – the hidden treasure of the mountains: Kyrgyz gold, along with other precious minerals, is one of the country’s great economic assets. The internationally renowned Kumtor mine is attracting significant investment and putting Kyrgyzstan on the world map of natural resources. These natural riches represent a solid source of income and a platform for sustainable economic development.
  3. Hydropower – the country’s natural strength: Kyrgyzstan’s mountainous landscape offers outstanding opportunities for hydropower production. This not only fuels the domestic economy, but makes the country an exporter of clean, environmentally friendly energy to neighboring countries. Hydropower potential continues to be explored, offering new opportunities for investment in infrastructure and sustainability.
  4. Remittances – global support of the local economy: The Kyrgyz community spread all over the world plays an essential role in supporting the economy. Remittances directly contribute to the well-being of families and stimulate domestic consumption, ensuring stability and opportunities for local development.
  5. Emerging industry and trade:Although natural resources dominate the economic scene, Kyrgyzstan is beginning to diversify its economy, with increasing investment in manufacturing and services. The textile industry, food processing and the manufacturing sector are becoming increasingly competitive on a regional level. Membership in the Eurasian Economic Union also gives Kyrgyzstan access to new markets and important trade partnerships.

An optimistic look to the future
Kyrgyzstan is at a time of transition, and the opportunities for growth are greater than ever. With significant natural resources, a strong agricultural sector and an increasing openness to the global market, the country is emerging as an emerging business and trade hub. Innovation and sustainable development are at the heart of new initiatives, and with an increasing focus on attracting foreign investment, Kyrgyzstan aims to become a major player in the global economy of the future.
With its rich resources and an ever-changing business landscape, Kyrgyzstan is a promising destination ready to maximize its potential and inspire the future