2007 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: 30.9% (male 821,976/female 789,687) 15-64 years: 62.9% (male 1,607,396/female 1,669,612) 65 years and over: 6.2% (male 126,847/female 198,380) (2006 est.)

Agriculture - products

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

Airports

37 (2006)

Airports - with paved runways

over 3,047 m

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

total

18

under 914 m

3 (2006)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total

19 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 1

under 914 m

16 (2006)

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. Nationwide demonstrations in the spring of 2005 resulted in the ouster of President Askar AKAYEV, who had run the country since 1990. Subsequent presidential elections in July 2005 were won overwhelmingly by former prime minister Kurmanbek BAKIYEV. The political opposition organized demonstrations in Bishkek in in April, May, and November 2006 resulting in the adoption of new constitution that transfered some of the president's powers to parliament and the government. Current concerns include: privatization of state-owned enterprises, expansion of democracy and political freedoms, reduction of corruption, improving interethnic relations, and combating terrorism. Geography Kyrgyzstan

Birth rate

22.8 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)

Budget

expenditures

$544.8 million; including capital expenditures of $NA (2006 est.)

revenues

$498.3 million

Capital

geographic coordinates

42 54 N, 74 36 E

name

Bishkek

time difference

UTC+6 (11 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

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 Askar AKAYEV and passed in a national referendum on 2 February 2003 significantly expanded the powers of the president at the expense of the legislature; during large-scale demonstrations in November 2006, President BAKIYEV and the opposition negotiated a new constitution granting greater powers to the parliament and the government

Country name

conventional long form

Kyrgyz Republic

conventional short form

Kyrgyzstan

former

Kirghiz Soviet Socialist Republic

local long form

Kyrgyz Respublikasy

local short form

Kyrgyzstan

Currency (code)

som (KGS)

Currency code

KGS

Current account balance

$-287.3 million (2006 est.)

Death rate

7.08 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)

Debt - external

$2.483 billion (30 June 2006 est.)

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission

Ambassador Marie L. YOVANOVITCH

embassy

171 Prospect Mira, Bishkek 720016

mailing address

use embassy street address

telephone

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

Diplomatic representation in the US

chancery

2360 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Zamira SYDYKOVA

telephone

[1] (202) 338-5141

Disputes - international

Kyrgystan has yet to ratify the 2001 boundary delimitation with Kazakhstan; disputes in Isfara Valley delay completion of delimitation with Tajikistan; delimitation of 130 km of border with Uzbekistan is hampered by serious disputes around enclaves and other areas

Distribution of family income - Gini index

29 (2001)

Economic aid - recipient

$50 million from the US (2001)

Economy - overview

Kyrgyzstan is a 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, natural gas, and electricity. Following independence Kyrgyzstan was progressive in carrying out market reforms, such as an improved regulatory system and land reform, but political instability during 2005-06 has undercut the investment climate. Kyrgyzstan was the first CIS country to be accepted into the World Trade Organization. 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. The economy is heavily weighted toward gold export and a drop in output at the main Kumtor gold mine sparked a 0.5% decline in GDP in 2002, but GDP growth bounced back the following year. In 2005 Kyrgyzstan again experienced a decline in GDP, this time 0.6%. The government has made steady strides in controlling its substantial fiscal deficit, virtually balancing revenues and expenditures in 2006. The government and international financial institutions have been engaged in a comprehensive medium-term poverty reduction and economic growth strategy; in 2005 Bishkek agreed to pursue much-needed tax reform and in 2006 became eligible for the heavily indebted poor countries (HIPC) initiative. Progress fighting corruption, further restructuring of domestic industry, and success in attracting foreign investment are keys to future growth.

Electricity - consumption

6.777 billion kWh (2004)

Electricity - exports

6.4 billion kWh (2004)

Electricity - imports

100 million kWh (2004)

Electricity - production

14.06 billion kWh (2004)

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, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified

none of the selected agreements

Ethnic groups

Kyrgyz 64.9%, Uzbek 13.8%, Russian 12.5%, Dungan 1.1%, Ukrainian 1%, Uygur 1%, other 5.7% (1999 census)

Exchange rates

soms per US dollar - 40.673 (2006), 41.012 (2005), 42.65 (2004), 43.648 (2003), 46.937 (2002)

Executive branch

cabinet

Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister; note - the new constitution of November 2006 calls for the legislature to appoint the prime minister and members of the Cabinet after the elections of 2010

chief of state

President Kurmanbek BAKIYEV (since 14 August 2005)

election results

Kurmanbek BAKIYEV elected president; percent of vote - Kurmanbek BAKIYEV 88.6%, Tursunbai BAKIR-UULU 3.9%, other candidates 7.5%; Azim ISABEKOV approved as prime minister 57-4

elections

Kurmanbek BAKIYEV elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 10 July 2005 (next scheduled for 2010); prime minister nominated by the president for approval by Parliament; note - the new constitution of November 2006 calls for the legislature to appoint the prime minister and members of the Cabinet after the elections of 2010

head of government

Prime Minister Azim ISABEKOV (since 29 January 2007); First Deputy Prime Minister Daniyar USENOV (since 10 May 2006)

Exports

$701.8 million f.o.b. (2006 est.)

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

UAE 35.6%, Russia 18.6%, China 13.4%, Kazakhstan 13% (2005)

FAX

[1] (202) 386-7550

[996] (312) 551-264

consulate(s)

New York

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 - composition by sector

agriculture

34.5%

industry

19.5%

services

46.1% (2006 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$2,000 (2006 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

2% (2006 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$2.24 billion (2006 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$10.49 billion (2006 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

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

less than 0.1% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

less than 200 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

3,900 (2003 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

highest 10%

23.3% (2001)

lowest 10%

3.9%

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 8 February, 2007

Imports

$1.177 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.)

Imports - commodities

oil and gas, machinery and equipment, chemicals, foodstuffs

Imports - partners

China 43%, Russia 19.7%, Kazakhstan 12.1%, Turkey 4.4% (2005)

Independence

31 August 1991 (from Soviet Union)

Industrial production growth rate

-4.5% (2006 est.)

Industries

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

Infant mortality rate

female

28.98 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)

male

39.72 deaths/1,000 live births

total

34.49 deaths/1,000 live births

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

6.4% (2006 est.)

International organization participation

AsDB, CIS, EAEC, EAPC, EBRD, ECO, FAO, GCTU, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, NAM (observer), OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, SCO, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Internet country code

.kg

Internet hosts

18,928 (2006)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

NA

Internet users

280,000 (2005) Transportation Kyrgyzstan

Investment (gross fixed)

15.5% of GDP (2006 est.)

Irrigated land

10,720 sq km (2003)

Judicial branch

Supreme Court; Constitutional Court (judges of both the Supreme and Constitutional Courts are appointed for 10-year terms by the Jorgorku Kenesh on the recommendation of the president); Higher Court of Arbitration; Local Courts (judges appointed by the president on the recommendation of the National Council on Legal Affairs for a probationary period of five years, then 10 years)

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

6.55%

note

Kyrgyzstan has the world's largest natural growth walnut forest (2005)

other

93.17%

permanent crops

0.28%

Languages

Kyrgyz (official), Russian (official)

Legal system

based on civil law system

Legislative branch

unicameral Supreme Council or Jorgorku Kenesh (75 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five year terms); note - the November 2006 constitution calls for 90 seats

election results

Supreme Council - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA

elections

elections for the new unicameral body or Jorgorku Kenesh were held 27 February 2005, but the vast majority of positions remained undecided and were contested in a runoff election on 13 March 2005; election irregularities caused widespread protests that resulted in the president being forced to flee the country

Life expectancy at birth

female

72.7 years (2006 est.)

male

64.48 years

total population

68.49 years

Literacy

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

98.1% (1999 est.) Government Kyrgyzstan

male

99.3%

total population

98.7%

Location

Central Asia, west of China

Manpower available for military service

females age 18-49

1,219,080 (2005 est.)

males age 18-49

1,193,529

Manpower fit for military service

females age 18-49

1,024,568 (2005 est.)

males age 18-49

871,493

Manpower reaching military service age annually

females age 18-49

59,784 (2005 est.)

males age 18-49

61,091

Map references

Asia

Maritime claims

none (landlocked)

Median age

female

24.5 years (2006 est.)

male

22.8 years

total

23.6 years

Military branches

Army, Air Force, National Guard (2005)

Military expenditures - dollar figure

$19.2 million (FY01)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP

1.4% (FY01) Transnational Issues Kyrgyzstan

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for compulsory military service (2001)

National holiday

Independence Day, 31 August (1991)

Nationality

adjective

Kyrgyzstani

noun

Kyrgyzstani(s)

Natural gas - consumption

919 million cu m (2004 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2004 est.)

Natural gas - imports

890 million cu m (2004 est.)

Natural gas - production

29 million cu m (2004 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

-2.5 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)

Oil - consumption

10,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - exports

NA bbl/day (2001)

Oil - imports

NA bbl/day (2001)

Oil - production

1,378 bbl/day (2004)

Pipelines

gas 254 km; oil 16 km (2006)

Political parties and leaders

Ar-Namys (Dignity) Party [Emil ALIYEV]; Asaba (Banner National Revival Party) [Azimbek BEKNAZAROV and Roza OTUNBAYEVA]; Ata-Meken (Fatherland) [Omurbek TEKEBAYEV]; Democratic Movement of Kyrgyzstan or DDK [Viktor TCHETRNOMORETS]; Erkindik (Freedom) Party [Topchubek TURGUNALIYEV]; Moya Strana (My Country Party of Action) [Medet SADYRKULOV]; Party of Communists of Kyrgyzstan or KCP [Ishak MASALIYEV]; Party of Justice and Progress [Muratbek IMANALIEV]; Party of Peasants [Esengul ISAKOV]; Republican Party of Labor and Unity [Tabaldy OROZALIYEV]; Sanjira (Tree of Life) [Ednan KARABAYEV]; Social Democratic Party [Almaz ATAMBAYEV]; Sodruzhestvo (Cooperation) [Alisher SABIROV]; Union of Democratic Forces [Kubatbek BAIBOLOV]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Adilet Legal Clinic [Cholpon JAKUPOVA]; Coalition for Democracy and Civil Society [Edil BAISALOV]; For Reforms [Omurbek TEKEBAYEV and Almazbek ATAMBAYEV]; Interbilim [Asiya SASYKBAYEVA]

Population

5,213,898 (July 2006 est.)

Population below poverty line

40% (2004 est.)

Population growth rate

1.32% (2006 est.)

Ports and terminals

Balykchy (Ysyk-Kol or Rybach'ye) Military Kyrgyzstan

Radio broadcast stations

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

Radios

520,000 (1997)

Railways

broad gauge

470 km 1.520-m gauge (2005)

total

470 km

Religions

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

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$621.2 million (2006 est.)

Roadways

paved

16,854 km

total

18,500 km

unpaved

1,646 km (1999)

Sex ratio

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

total population

0.96 male(s)/female (2006 est.)

under 15 years

1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.64 male(s)/female

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Telephone system

domestic

mobile cellular subscribership has risen sharply since 2000 reaching 541,700 in 2005 as three companies compete for the rapidly expanding market; main line availability has been virtually flat over the same timeframe; four major providers compete for shares of the main line market

general assessment

development of telecommunications infrastructure is slow; fixed line penetration remains low and concentrated in Bishkek

international

country code - 996; 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

438,200 (2005)

Telephones - mobile cellular

541,700 (2005)

Television broadcast stations

7 (2006)

Televisions

210,000 (1997)

Terrain

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

Total fertility rate

2.69 children born/woman (2006 est.)

Unemployment rate

18% (2004 est.)

Waterways

600 km (2006)