Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan is situated in Central Asia , its neighbouring countries are Kazakhstan to the north, Uzbekistan to the west, Tadjikistan to the south and China to its East and South-East. The former Republic of the Soviet Union became independent in the year 1991 and since then is a democratic Presidential Republic. Bishkek, formerly called Frunze , is the capital of Kyrgyzstan with about 1 million inhabitants, the country as a whole has about 5 million inhabitants and an area of 198.500 km.

The people of Kyrgyzstan

As a result of its varied and turbulent history, Kyrgyzstan throughout the centuries became a real melting pot of nationalities: The ethnic group of the Kyrgyz, traditionally nomads that still nowadays often live as half-nomads (see also "Kyrgyz people and their traditions"), makes up only a bit more than 50% of the population. The two other important ethnic groups are Russians and Uzbeks, both with about 15 % of the population. The Russians came into the region during the 19 th century, and especially the city Bishkek, only 125 years old, is heavily influenced by the Russian way of life and Soviet architecture. Because of this people, also the second-biggest religious group in the mostly muslim country (80%) are Russian-orthodox. The Uzbek people lives to its biggest part in the south of the country, close to the border to Uzbekistan . This part of Kyrgyzstan is also much more influenced by muslim traditions than the rest.

Other people out of those more than 80 nationalities and ethnic groups living in Kyrgyzstan are European ones like Germans or Ukrains, muslim chinese people like Dungans and Uighurs, as well as Tatars.

Although there are so many different people living in the region, whose lifestyle and traditions sometimes differ a lot, they all have one thing in common: The typical Central Asian hospitality, that can in no way be compared with the way guests are greeted in the western world: Never you will come across a yurt without being invited for a cup of the national drink Kymyz and a snack, never you will be invited into the house of locals without facing a table, completely full of delicacies already before the main dish is served. Nontheless, gastronomy is only one way where hospitality is shown: The warmth and openness of the people can be felt already when you first get acquainted, and at the second meeting you're very often already considered as a family member!

Geography of Kyrgyzstan

Due to its topography the country is very much split into a northern and a southern part. In the north of the country, there are big valleys like the Chui-valley (where the capital Bishkek is situated), and the Talas-valley, as well as the lake Issyk-Kul . The Kyrgyz also call the lake "Blue Pearl of the Tien-Shan" or "Sea of the Kyrgyz" (more in the section List of main touristic places / Lake Issyk-Kul).

Directly to the south of those big valleys, there's the heart of the Tien-Shan Mountains . The word is Chinese, meaning about "Heavenly / Celestial Mountains ". Its highest peaks can be found in the triangle of Kyrgyzstan , China and Kazakhstan : The Peak Pobedy (Peak Victory) with an altitude of 7134 m and the Khan-Tengri with 6995 m above sea level. Peak Pobedy is also the most northern situated 7000m-high mountain of the world. Also in this fascinating High-altitude mountain area, that usually is explored starting from the town of Karakol at the eastern end of lake Issyk-Kul, there are the famous glacier Enylchek and the mysterious Lake Merzbacher, that is being emptied once a year, but then refills completely. Because of that, many years scientists and explorers were questioning whether it is existing at all - some of them mentioned it on their maps and in their descriptions, some did not - depending on the time of the year and the level of water.

The Tien-Shan mountain range is a very varied area and offers all kind of mountainous landscapes one could imagine: green and fertile high-altitude pastures, lower situated valleys with woods, sandy and rocky mountains and valleys, rocky and snow-covered high-altitude mountain regions, and those very famous mountain lakes: Apart from the popular lake Issyk-Kul, which is used mainly for beach-holidays, one should mention the regions of lake Son-Kul at an altitude of about 3000m, and lake Sary-Chelek at about 1900 m above sea level (see also List of main touristic places / Son-Kul ; Sary-Chelek)

The powerful mountain range is not only famous for its landscape, but first of all very much visited because of its fauna: Rare animals like the Marco-Polo sheep and the snowleopard live in the area, and very common birds are eagles, falcons and vulture, while you could also at an altitude of 3000m watch seagulls and find rare species everywhere around the country

In the south-west, the Tien-Shan mountains are divided into two parts and embed in their middle the Ferghana-valley . This lowland is situated for its biggest part in Uzbekistan , but the east borders also reach into Kyrgyz territory. It is famous mainly for its fertility and rich, juicy and fresh choice of fruits and vegetables. In this part of Kyrgyzstan naturally, population is quite dense, and also the second-biggest town of the country is situated here: Osh , with about 300.000 inhabitants.

The visitor finds a calm atmosphere in the country side with lots of fields, especially sunflowers, an abundance of culinary specialities.

The far south of the country is dominated by the Pamir mountain range, which establishes the borders to Tadjikistan and China . Here, there is another high, famous peak: Peak Lenin (7439m), which is popular with mountaineers from all over the world, also thanks to its technically not too demanding ascent.

All in all, a very diverse, mostly mountainous landscape, that offers something special for every taste!

Tourism industry in Kyrgyzstan has been steadily developing, including quality hotels in big cities including Bishkek and Osh . Travel to Kyrgyzstan , with its virgin nature, will make you trip unforgettable.

Travel information about Kyrgyzstan