2003 Edition

Administrative divisions

7 provinces (oblastlar, singular - oblasty) and 1 city* (shaar); Batken Oblasty, Bishkek Shaary*, Chuy Oblasty (Bishkek), Jalal-Abad Oblasty, Naryn Oblasty, Osh Oblasty, Talas Oblasty, Ysyk-Kol Oblasty (Karakol)

note

administrative divisions have the same names as their administrative centers (exceptions have the administrative center name following in parentheses)

Age structure

0-14 years: 33.8% (male 836,593; female 819,615) 15-64 years: 59.9% (male 1,436,371; female 1,492,884) 65 years and over: 6.3% (male 117,405; female 189,940) (2003 est.)

Agriculture - products

tobacco, cotton, potatoes, vegetables, grapes, fruits and berries; sheep, goats, cattle, wool

Airports

68 (2002)

Airports - with paved runways

over 3,047 m

1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 11 914 to 1,523 m: 1

total

18

under 914 m

3 (2002)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total

50 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 6

under 914 m

36 (2002) Military Kyrgyzstan

Area

land

191,300 sq km

total

198,500 sq km

water

7,200 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than South Dakota

Background

A Central Asian country of incredible natural beauty and proud nomadic traditions, Kyrgyzstan was annexed by Russia in 1864; it achieved independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. Current

concerns include

privatization of state-owned enterprises, expansion of democracy and political freedoms, interethnic relations, and combating terrorism. Geography Kyrgyzstan

Birth rate

26.06 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)

Budget

expenditures

$238.7 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1999 est.)

revenues

$207.4 million

Capital

Bishkek

Climate

dry continental to polar in high Tien Shan; subtropical in southwest (Fergana Valley); temperate in northern foothill zone

Coastline

0 km (landlocked)

Constitution

adopted 5 May 1993; note - amendment proposed by President AKAYEV and passed in a national referendum on 2 February 2003 significantly expands the powers of the president at the expense of the legislature

Country name

conventional long form

Kyrgyz Republic

conventional short form

Kyrgyzstan

former

Kirghiz Soviet Socialist Republic

local long form

Kyrgyz Respublikasy

local short form

none

Currency

Kyrgyzstani som (KGS)

Currency code

KGS

Death rate

9.1 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)

Debt - external

$1.5 billion (2002 est.)

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission

Ambassador Stephen M. YOUNG

embassy

171 Prospect Mira, 720016 Bishkek

mailing address

use embassy street address

telephone

[996] (312) 551-241, (517) 777-217

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission

Ambassador Bakyt ABDRISAYEV

Disputes - international

Kyrgyzstan's constitutional court has ruled that 1,270 sq km ceded to China in a 2000 delimitation agreement were legally transferred; delimitation with Kazakhstan is largely complete with only minor disputed areas; disputes in Isfara Valley delay completion of delimitation with Tajikistan; serious disputes with Uzbekistan around Uzbek enclaves mar progress on delimitation efforts

Distribution of family income - Gini index

34.6 (1999)

Economic aid - recipient

$50 million from the US (2001)

Economy - overview

Kyrgyzstan is a small, poor, mountainous country with a predominantly agricultural economy. Cotton, tobacco, wool, and meat are the main agricultural products, although only tobacco and cotton are exported in any quantity. Industrial exports include gold, mercury, uranium, and natural gas and electricity. Kyrgyzstan has been fairly progressive in carrying out market reforms, such as an improved regulatory system and land reform. Kyrgyzstan was the first CIS country to be accepted into the World Trade Organization. With fits and starts, inflation has been lowered to an estimated 7% in 2001, 2.1% in 2002, and 4.0% in 2003. Much of the government's stock in enterprises has been sold. Drops in production had been severe after the breakup of the Soviet Union in December 1991, but by mid-1995 production began to recover and exports began to increase. Growth was held down to 2.1% in 1998 largely because of the spillover from Russia's economic difficulties, but moved ahead to 3.6% in 1999, 5% in 2000, and 5% again in 2001. The drop in output at the Kumtor gold mine sparked a 0.5% decline in GDP in 2002 and again in 2003. On the positive side, the government and the international financial institutions have been engaged in a comprehensive medium-term poverty reduction and economic growth strategy. Further restructuring of domestic industry and success in attracting foreign investment are keys to future growth.

Electricity - consumption

10.46 billion kWh (2001)

Electricity - exports

2.25 billion kWh (2001)

Electricity - imports

200 million kWh (2001)

Electricity - production

13.45 billion kWh (2001)

Electricity - production by source

fossil fuel

7.6%

hydro

92.4%

nuclear

0%

other

0% (2001)

Elevation extremes

highest point

Jengish Chokusu (Pik Pobedy) 7,439 m

lowest point

Kara-Daryya (Karadar'ya) 132 m

Environment - current issues

water pollution; many people get their water directly from contaminated streams and wells; as a result, water-borne diseases are prevalent; increasing soil salinity from faulty irrigation practices

Environment - international agreements

party to

Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection

signed, but not ratified

none of the selected agreements

Ethnic groups

Kyrgyz 52.4%, Russian 18%, Uzbek 12.9%, Ukrainian 2.5%, German 2.4%, other 11.8%

Exchange rates

soms per US dollar - 46.94 (2002), 48.38 (2001), 47.7 (2000), 39.01 (1999), 20.84 (1998)

Executive branch

cabinet

Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister

chief of state

President Askar AKAYEV (since 28 October 1990)

election results

Askar AKAYEV reelected president; percent of vote - Askar AKAYEV 74%, Omurbek TEKEBAYEV 14%, other candidates 12%; note - election marred by serious irregularities

elections

president reelected by popular vote for a five-year term; elections last held 29 October 2000 (next to be held November or December 2005); prime minister appointed by the president

head of government

Prime Minister Nikolay TANAYEV (since 22 May 2002); note - Prime Minister Kurmanbek BAKIYEV resigned on 22 May 2002 when five demonstrators were killed in a clash with police in March of 2002

Exports

$488 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Exports - commodities

cotton, wool, meat, tobacco; gold, mercury, uranium, natural gas, hydropower; machinery; shoes

Exports - partners

Switzerland 19.9%, Russia 16.5%, UAE 14.2%, China 8.5%, Kazakhstan 7.6%, US 7.4%, Uzbekistan 5.7% (2002)

FAX

[1] (202) 338-5139

[996] (312) 551-264

chancery

1732 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007

consulate(s)

New York

telephone

[1] (202) 338-5141

Fiscal year

calendar year Communications Kyrgyzstan

Flag description

red field with a yellow sun in the center having 40 rays representing the 40 Kyrgyz tribes; on the obverse side the rays run counterclockwise, on the reverse, clockwise; in the center of the sun is a red ring crossed by two sets of three lines, a stylized representation of the roof of the traditional Kyrgyz yurt Economy Kyrgyzstan

GDP

purchasing power parity - $13.88 billion (2002 est.)

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture

35%

industry

25%

services

40% (2002 est.)

GDP - per capita

purchasing power parity - $2,900 (2002 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

5.3% (2002 est.)

Geographic coordinates

41 00 N, 75 00 E

Geography - note

landlocked; entirely mountainous, dominated by the Tien Shan range; many tall peaks, glaciers, and high-altitude lakes People Kyrgyzstan

Government type

republic

Highways

paved

16,854 km (including 140 km of expressways)

total

18,500 km

unpaved

1,646 km (1999 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

less than 0.1% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

less than 100 (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

over 500 (2001 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

highest 10%

27.7% (1999)

lowest 10%

3.2%

Illicit drugs

limited illicit cultivation of cannabis and opium poppy for CIS markets; limited government eradication of illicit crops; transit point for Southwest Asian narcotics bound for Russia and the rest of Europe This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003

Imports

$587 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Imports - commodities

oil and gas, machinery and equipment, chemicals, foodstuffs

Imports - partners

Kazakhstan 21.1%, Russia 19.9%, Uzbekistan 10.2%, China 10.1%, US 8.1%, Germany 5.3% (2002)

Independence

31 August 1991 (from Soviet Union)

Industrial production growth rate

6% (2000 est.)

Industries

small machinery, textiles, food processing, cement, shoes, sawn logs, refrigerators, furniture, electric motors, gold, rare earth metals

Infant mortality rate

female

65.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)

male

84.72 deaths/1,000 live births

total

75.34 deaths/1,000 live births

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2.1% (2002 est.)

International organization participation

AsDB, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, ECO, ESCAP, FAO, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM (observer), OIC, OPCW (signatory), OSCE, PCA, PFP, SCO, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIK, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Internet country code

.kg

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

NA

Internet users

51,600 (2001) Transportation Kyrgyzstan

Irrigated land

10,740 sq km (1998 est.)

Judicial branch

Supreme Court (judges are appointed for 10-year terms by the Supreme Council on the recommendation of the president); Constitutional Court; Higher Court of Arbitration

Labor force

2.7 million (2000)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture 55%, industry 15%, services 30% (2000 est.)

Land boundaries

border countries

China 858 km, Kazakhstan 1,051 km, Tajikistan 870 km, Uzbekistan 1,099 km

total

3,878 km

Land use

arable land

7.04%

note

Kyrgyzstan has the world's largest natural growth walnut forest (1998 est.)

other

92.57%

permanent crops

0.39%

Languages

Kyrgyz - official language, Russian - official language

note

in December 2001, the Kyrgyzstani legislature made Russian an official language, equal in status to Kyrgyz

Legal system

based on civil law system

Legislative branch

bicameral Supreme Council or Zhogorku Kenesh consists of the Assembly of People's Representatives (70 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) and the Legislative Assembly (35 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)

election results

Assembly of People's Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NA; and Legislative Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NA; note - total seats by party in the Supreme Council were as follows: Union of Democratic Forces 12, Communists 6, My Country Party of Action 4, independents 73, other 10

elections

Assembly of People's Representatives - last held 20 February and 12 March 2000 (next to be held NA February 2005); Legislative Assembly - last held 20 February and 12 March 2000 (next to be held NA February 2005)

note

the legislature became bicameral for the 5 February 1995 elections; the 2000 election results include both the Assembly of People's Representatives and the Legislative Assembly

Life expectancy at birth

female

68.03 years (2003 est.)

male

59.49 years

total population

63.66 years

Literacy

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

96% (1989 est.) Government Kyrgyzstan

male

99%

total population

97%

Location

Central Asia, west of China

Map references

Asia

Maritime claims

none (landlocked)

Median age

female

23.6 years (2002)

male

21.8 years

total

22.7 years

Military branches

Army, Air and Air Defense, Security Forces, Border Troops

Military expenditures - dollar figure

$19.2 million (FY01)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP

1.4% (FY01) Transnational Issues Kyrgyzstan

Military manpower - availability

males age 15-49

1,265,019 (2003 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service

males age 15-49

1,026,063 (2003 est.)

Military manpower - military age

18 years of age (2003 est.)

Military manpower - reaching military age annually

males

54,445 (2003 est.)

National holiday

Independence Day, 31 August (1991)

Nationality

adjective

Kyrgyzstani

noun

Kyrgyzstani(s)

Natural gas - consumption

2.016 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports

2 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - production

16 million cu m (2001 est.)

Natural hazards

NA

Natural resources

abundant hydropower; significant deposits of gold and rare earth metals; locally exploitable coal, oil, and natural gas; other deposits of nepheline, mercury, bismuth, lead, and zinc

Net migration rate

-2.37 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)

Oil - consumption

20,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports

NA (2001)

Oil - imports

NA (2001)

Oil - production

2,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Pipelines

gas 367 km; oil 13 km (2003)

Political parties and leaders

Agrarian Labor Party of Kyrgyzstan [Uson S. SYDYKOV]; Agrarian Party of Kyrgyzstan [Arkin ALIYEV]; Ata-Meken or Fatherland [Omurbek TEKEBAYEV]; Banner National Revival Party or ASABA [Chaprashty BAZARBAY]; Democratic Movement of Kyrgyzstan or DDK [Jypar JEKSHEYEV]; Democratic Women's Party of Kyrgyzstan [T. A. SHAILIYEVA]; Dignity Party [Feliks KULOV]; Erkin Kyrgyzstan Progressive and Democratic Party [Tursunbay Bakir UULU]; Justice Party [Chingiz AYTMATOV]; Movement for the People's Salvation [Jumgalbek AMAMBAYEV]; Mutual Help Movement or Ashar [Jumagazy USUPOV]; My Country Party of Action [Almazbek ISMANKULOV]; National Unity Democratic Movement or DDNE [Yury RAZGULYAYEV]; Party of Communists of Kyrgyzstan or KCP [Absamat M. MASALIYEV]; Party of the Veterans of the War in Afghanistan [leader NA]; Peasant Party [leader NA]; People's Party [Melis ESHIMKANOV]; Republican Popular Party of Kyrgyzstan [J. SHARSHENALIYEV]; Social Democratic Party or PSD [J. IBRAMOV]; Union of Democratic Forces (composed of Social Democratic Party of Kyrgyzstan or PSD [J. IBRAMOV], Economic Revival Party, and Birimdik Party)

Political pressure groups and leaders

Council of Free Trade Unions; Kyrgyz Committee on Human Rights [Ramazan DYRYLDAYEV]; National Unity Democratic Movement; Union of Entrepreneurs

Population

4,892,808 (July 2003 est.)

Population below poverty line

55% (2001 est.)

Population growth rate

1.46% (2003 est.)

Ports and harbors

Balykchy (Ysyk-Kol or Rybach'ye)

Radio broadcast stations

AM 12 (plus 10 repeater stations), FM 14, shortwave 2 (1998)

Radios

520,000 (1997)

Railways

broad gauge

420 km 1.520-m gauge (2002)

total

420 km

Religions

Muslim 75%, Russian Orthodox 20%, other 5%

Sex ratio

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

total population

0.96 male(s)/female (2003 est.)

under 15 years

1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.62 male(s)/female

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Telephone system

domestic

principally microwave radio relay; one cellular provider, probably limited to Bishkek region

general assessment

poorly developed; about 100,000 unsatisfied applications for household telephones

international

connections with other CIS countries by landline or microwave radio relay and with other countries by leased connections with Moscow international gateway switch and by satellite; satellite earth stations - 1 Intersputnik and 1 Intelsat; connected internationally by the Trans-Asia-Europe (TAE) fiber-optic line

Telephones - main lines in use

351,000 (1997)

Telephones - mobile cellular

NA

Television broadcast stations

NA (repeater stations throughout the country relay programs from Russia, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Turkey) (1997)

Televisions

210,000 (1997)

Terrain

peaks of Tien Shan and associated valleys and basins encompass entire nation

Total fertility rate

3.12 children born/woman (2003 est.)

Unemployment rate

7.2% (1999 est.)

Waterways

600 km (1990)