Kyrgyzstan
Surface: 198,500 sq. km. Mountains: 94 %(average altitude: 2,200 m, highest altitude: 7,439 m), plains: 6%.
The climate is continental. The average temperature in January is from 4 to 14 degrees below zero, Centigrade, in July - from 12 to 30 above zero, Centigrade.
Population: 4.4 min. Kyrgyz (52,8%) Russian (21.3%), Uzbeks (I 2.8%), Ukrainians (2.3%), Germans, Dungans, Kazakhs, Tanks, Tatars, Uigurs, Koreans.
Religions: Moslems, Christians. Languages: Russian, Kyrgyz.
Capital: Bishkek (900,000).
Time: 4 hour ahead of GMT.
National currency: I som = 100 tiyn
Kyrgyzstan, a mountainous paradise, is nestled between Uzbek desserts, the Kazakh steppe, tumultuous Tadjikistan and the outback of Western China. Across Kyrgyzstan stretch the majestic Tian-Shan and Pamir mountain ranges with some of the highest mountain peaks in the world such as Pobeda Peak, 7439 meters & the 7134 meters Lenin Peak. Such magnificent mountains have transformed Kyrgyzstan into snowfields, glaciers, mountain rivers & streams, rich green Alpine meadows and lush and fertile valleys. Once off limits even to the people of Kyrgyzstan, the widest valleys of the Tian-Shan are now accessible offering serene walks, treks and climbs through pristine forests of juniper and walnut trees, sweeping meadows of medicinal herb and other rare plants, over Crystal clear mountain streams which are stormy bringing the glacial waters to the valley below, to secluded mountain lakes, and to the unexplored snow-covered mountain peaks. Also accessible are the mountains and unending serene shorelines flanking Lake Issyk-Kul, the Kyrgyz inland sea.For fifteen centuries the Kyrgyz people have inhabited these mountains. Originally nomads, many Kyrgyz continue to tend vast flocks of sheep, and breed horses while living in the remote yurt encampments high in the mountains. Once a caravan crossing rout of the Silk-Road, Kyrgyzstan is now endowed with an abundant cultural and historical legacy. Besides the ancient towns of Osh, Uzgen and At-Bashi, scattered throughout the mountains and valley are numerous Zoroastrian, Buddhist and Nestorian Christian ruins of monuments, and ritualistic rock paintings of the 2nd century BC. Along the ancient rout of Silk-Road visitors can expect to find the Kyrgyzstan people carrying on their traditional musical instruments, making intricate jewelry, and taking part in their ancestral sport and horse racing.Discovering the land known as Kyrgyzstan is an unforgettable journey and an exotic adventure. Come to Kyrgyzstan to revel in the wonders of the glorious and magnificent mountains, come to uncover the mysteries of the Kyrgyz people and the land know as Kyrgyzstan.
