Kyrgyzstan

I

Introduction

Kyrgyzstan, also known as the Kyrgyz Republic, independent republic in Central Asia, bordered on the north by Kazakhstan, on the east by China, on the south by China and Tajikistan, and on the west by Uzbekistan. It was formerly the Kirgiz Soviet Socialist Republic (SSR) of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). The total area of Kyrgyzstan is almost completely mountainous and is subject to major earthquakes. Settlement and agriculture are concentrated in the river valleys. Total area is 198,500 sq km (76,640 sq mi). Bishkek (formerly Frunze) is the capital and largest city.

II

Land and Resources

Kyrgyzstan is located at the juncture of two great central Asian mountain systems—the Tian Mountains and the Pamirs. The two systems are composed of a series of mountain chains that run mainly east to west. The republic contains the second-highest peak in the former USSR, Peak Pobedy (Russian, “victory”), which has an elevation of 7,439 m (24,406 ft). More than half of the republic’s territory lies at an elevation higher than 2,500 m (8,200 ft), and only about one eighth of Kyrgyzstan is lower than 1,500 m (4,900 ft). Glaciers and permanent snowfields cover more than 3 per cent of total land area.

A

Rivers and Lakes

More than half of the country is drained by the River Naryn and other tributaries of the River Syr Darya. Numerous small and medium-size rivers drain northern Kyrgyzstan and dissipate into the deserts and semi-deserts of southern Kazakhstan. Ysyk-Köl, the largest of the republic’s many lakes and the fourth-deepest lake in the world, is located at about 1.6 km (1 mi) above sea level.

B

Climate

The climate is continental, with much variation in climatic conditions. Average daily temperature in the valleys is 25° to 27° C (77° to 80.6° F) in July, and -4° C (24.8° F) in January. Conditions are much colder at higher elevations.