LocationCentral Asia, north of Afghanistan and Tajikistan.
Area199,900 sq km (77,182 sq miles).
Population5 million (UN estimate 2003).
Population Density25.3 per sq km.
CapitalBishkek (called Frunze from 1926 to 1991).
Population: 806,000 (UN estimate 2003).
GovernmentRepublic. Gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.
LanguageThe official language is Kyrgyz, a Turkic language closely related to Uzbek, Kazakh, Turkmen and Turkish. Any attempt by a foreigner to speak
Kyrgyz will be greatly appreciated. In deference to the large Russian population of Kyrgyzstan, Russian is also protected under law. In 1993, the government undertook to replace the Russian Cyrillic Alphabet with the Turkish version of the Roman alphabet. Meanwhile, most people can speak Russian, and do so, especially in the north. English is widely spoken by those involved in tourism. Uzbek, Kazakh, Tajik and various other regional languages and dialects are also spoken.
ReligionThe major religion is Islam with the majority of Kyrgyz being Sunni Muslim with Christian and Russian Orthodox minorities.
TimeGMT + 6.
Electricity220 volts AC, 50Hz. Round two-pin continental plugs are standard.
Head of GovernmentActing Prime Minister Almaz Atambayev since March 2007.
Head of StatePresident Kurmanbek Bakiyev since 2005.
Recent HistoryKurmanbek Bakiyev won a landslide presidential election victory in July 2005, promising to root out corruption and to fight poverty. Foreign observers said the poll showed clear progress in democratic standards. He had been acting president since the previous March when alleged government interference in parliamentary elections sparked a wave of protests which culminated in the resignation of the then president, Askar Akayev. Akayev fled to Russia and Bakiyev became acting leader. Unrest has posed a challenge to his authority. Several MPs have been shot since he came to power, force has been used to put down deadly prison riots and there are allegations that the influence of organized crime is increasing.
TelephoneCountry code: 996 (312 for Bishkek). International calls should be made from a telephone office which will usually be found attached to a post office; they can also be made from some hotels by asking at reception. All international calls from Kyrgyzstan have to go through the operator. Local calls (within the city) are free of charge if made from private telephones; hotels sometimes levy a small charge. Direct-dial calls within the CIS are obtained by dialing 8 and waiting for another dial tone and then dialing the city code followed by the number.
Mobile TelephoneRoaming agreements exist with most international mobile phone companies. Coverage is limited.
InternetThere are Internet cafes available.
Media
PostLetters to and from Western Europe and the USA can take anything between two weeks and two months. Stamped envelopes can be bought from post offices. Mail to recipients within Kyrgyzstan should be addressed in the following order: country, postcode, city, street, house number and, lastly, the person’s name. Visitors can also use post offices located within some major hotels.
Post office hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1800.
Press• The
Bishkek Observer,
Kyrgyzstan Chronicle,
Times of Central Asia and
Zaman Kyrgyzstan are published weekly in English.
• The main dailies are published in Bishkek and include
Kyrgyz Tuusu (both in Kyrgyz), and
Delo No,
Slovo Kyrgyzstana and
Vechernii Bishkek (in Russian).
Radio• Kyrgyz National TV and Radio Broadcasting Corporation runs two networks.
• Private stations include
Almaz and
Europa Plus.
Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2009-December 2010 period.
2009
1 Jan New Year's Day.
7 Jan Russian Orthodox Christmas.
8 Mar International Women's Day.
21 Mar Nooruz (Krygyz New Year).
1 May Labor Day.
5 May Constitution Day.
9 May Victory Day.
31 Aug Independence Day.
21 Sep Orozo Ait (end of Ramadan).
28 Nov Kurban Ait (Feast of the Sacrifice).
2010
1 Jan New Year's Day.
7 Jan Russian Orthodox Christmas.
8 Mar International Women's Day.
21 Mar Nooruz (Krygyz New Year).
1 May Labor Day.
5 May Constitution Day.
9 May Victory Day.
31 Aug Independence Day.
11 Sep Orozo Ait (end of Ramadan).
17 Nov Kurban Ait (Feast of the Sacrifice).
NoteMuslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon and the dates given above are approximations. During the lunar month of Ramadan that precedes Orozo Ait, Muslims fast during the day and feast at night and normal business patterns may be interrupted. Many restaurants are closed during the day and there may be restrictions on smoking and drinking. Some disruption may continue into Orozo Ait itself. Orozo Ait and Kurban Ait may last anything from two to 10 days, depending on the region.
Contact Information:Ministry of Tourismul Togolok Moldo 17, 720001 Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
Tel: (312) 220 657.
E-mail:
gatiskr@bishkek.gov.kg Embassy of the Kyrgyz Republic in the UKAscot House, 119 Crawford Street, London W1U 6BJ, UK
Tel: (020) 7935 1462.
Website:
www.kyrgyz-embassy.org.ukOpening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1800; 0930-1230 (visa section).
Kyrgyzstan Information and Destination GuideWebsite:
www.kyrgyzstan.orgEmbassy of the Kyrgyz Republic in the USA2360 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20008, USA
Tel: (202) 338 5141.
Website:
www.krgyzembassy.org
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