Kyrgyzstan Travel Guide
Total Area:198,500 sq km Land Borders: China, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan
Population: 5,213,898 Uzbekistan
Life Expectancy: 68years HIV % Total Poulation:0.1%
Ethnic Groups: Kyrgyz 64.9%, Uzbek 13.8%, Russian 12.5%, Dungan 1.1%, Ukrainian 1%, Uygur 1%, other 5.7%
Languages:Kyrgyz (official), Russian (official)
President:Kurmanbek BAKIYEV GDP - Per Capita: $2,100
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. Current concerns include: privatization of state-owned enterprises, expansion of democracy and political freedoms, reduction of corruption, improving interethnic relations, and combating terrorism.