About Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan
Introduction
A Central Asian country of incredible natural beauty and proud nomadic traditions, most of Kyrgyzstan was formally annexed to Russia in 1876. The Kyrgyz staged a major revolt against the Tsarist Empire in 1916 in which almost one-sixth of the Kyrgyz population was killed. Kyrgyzstan became a Soviet republic in 1936 and achieved independence in 1991 when the USSR dissolved. Nationwide demonstrations in the spring of 2005 resulted in the ouster of President Askar AKAEV, who had run the country since 1990. Subsequent presidential elections in July 2005 were won overwhelmingly by former prime minister Kurmanbek BAKIEV. Over the next few years, the new president manipulated the parliament to accrue new powers for himself. In July 2009, after months of harassment against his opponents and media critics, BAKIEV won re-election in a presidential campaign that the international community deemed flawed. In April 2010, nationwide protests led to the resignation and expulsion of BAKIEV. He was replaced by Acting President Roza OTUNBAYEVA who called for new elections in six months time. Continuing concerns include: endemic corruption, poor interethnic relations, and terrorism.
Geography
Location
Location: Central Asia, west of China
Geographic Coordinates: 41 00 N, 75 00 E
Area
Total Area: 199,951 sq km Rank: 86
Land Area: 191,801 sq km
Water Area: 8,150 sq km
Comparison: slightly smaller than South Dakota
Land Boundaries: 3,051 km
Bordering Countries: China 858 km, Kazakhstan 1,224 km, Tajikistan 870 km, Uzbekistan 1,099 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Climate
dry continental to polar in high Tien Shan Mountains; subtropical in southwest (Fergana Valley); temperate in northern foothill zone
Terrain
peaks of Tien Shan and associated valleys and basins encompass entire nation
Elevations
Lowest Point: Kara-Daryya (Karadar'ya) 132 m
Highest Point: Jengish Chokusu (Pik Pobedy) 7,439 m
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
Land Use
Arable land: 6.55%
Permanent Crops: 0.28%
Other: 93.17%
Note: Kyrgyzstan has the world's largest natural-growth walnut forest (2005)
Irrigated Land: 10,720 sq km (2003)
Renewable Water Resources: 46.5 cu km (1997)
Total Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): 10.08 cu km/yr (3%/3%/94%)
Freshwater Withdrawal Per Capita: 1,916 cu m/yr (2000)
Environment
Natural Hazards: NA
Environmental 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
Environmental Agreements: Party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands
Geography Notes
landlocked; entirely mountainous, dominated by the Tien Shan range; 94% of the country is 1,000 m above sea level with an average elevation of 2,750 m; many tall peaks, glaciers, and high-altitude lakes
People
Population: 5,431,747 (July 2010 est.) Rank: 111
Age Structure
0-14 years: 29.7% (male 822,128/female 789,425)
15-64 years: 64.5% (male 1,717,497/female 1,787,551)
65 years and over: 5.8% (male 123,045/female 192,101) (2010 est.)
Median Age: 23.8 years
Population Growth
Growth Rate: 1.396% (2010 est.) Rank: 95
Birth Rate: 23.44 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) Rank: 77
Death Rate: 6.91 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) Rank: 135
Net Migration Rate: -2.57 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.) Rank: 139
Urbanization
Urban Population: 36% of total population (2008)
Rate of Urbanization: 1.6% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Life and Death
Infant Mortality Rate: 31.26 deaths/1,000 live births Rank: 73
Life Expectancy at Birth: 69.43 years Rank: 147
Fertility Rate: 2.64 children born/woman (2010 est.) Rank: 88
Health and Disease
HIV/AIDS - Adult Prevalence Rate: less than 0.1% (2007 est.) Rank: 120
People living with HIV/AIDS: 4,200 (2007 est.) Rank: 125
HIV/AIDS Deaths: fewer than 200 (2007 est.) Rank: 110
Nationality and Culture
Noun: Kyrgyzstani(s)
Adjective: Kyrgyzstani
Ethnic Groups: Kyrgyz 64.9%, Uzbek 13.8%, Russian 12.5%, Dungan 1.1%, Ukrainian 1%, Uighur 1%, other 5.7% (1999 census)
Religion: Muslim 75%, Russian Orthodox 20%, other 5%
Languages: Kyrgyz 64.7% (official), Uzbek 13.6%, Russian 12.5% (official), Dungun 1%, other 8.2% (1999 census)
Education
Literacy (Meaning, age 15 and over can read and write): 98.7% Male: 99.3% Female: 98.1% (1999 census)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): 12 years Male: 12 years Female: 13 years (2006)
Education expenditures: 4.9% of GDP (2005) Rank: 76
Government
Country Name
Conventional Long Form: Kyrgyz Republic
Conventional Short Form: Kyrgyzstan
Local Long Form: Kyrgyz Respublikasy
Local Short Form: Kyrgyzstan
Formerly: Kirghiz Soviet Socialist Republic
Government Type: republic
Capital: Bishkek Geographic Coordinates: 42 52 N, 74 36 E
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)
Independence: 31 August 1991 (from the Soviet Union)
National holiday: Independence Day, 31 August (1991)
Constitution: 27 June 2010
Legal system: based on French and Russian laws; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive Branch
Chief of State: President Roza OTUNBAEVA (since 19 May 2010); note - OTUNBAEVA became acting president on 7 April 2010 following the early April 2010 riots that overthrew President Kurmanbek BAKIEV; she was appointed president through 31 December 2011 by a 19 May 2010 decree of the provisional government, which also prohibited her from running in the next presidential election; she was officially sworn in on 3 July 2010
Head of Government: Prime Minister Roza OTUNBAEVA; First Deputy Prime Minister Amangeldi MURALIEV (since 14 July 2010); note - OTUNBAYEVA, who is also the country's president, announced a caretaker government on 14 July 2010, which is expected to serve until a new government is formed following a parliamentary election in the fall of 2010
Cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers proposed by the prime minister, appointed by the president; ministers in charge of defense and security, are appointed solely by the president
Elections: Kurmanbek BAKIEV reelected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held on 23 July 2009 (next scheduled for 2011); prime minister nominated by the parliamentary party holding more than 50% of the seats; if no such party exists, the president selects the party that will nominate a prime minister
Election Results: Kurmanbek BAKIEV elected president; percent of vote - Kurmanbek BAKIEV 76.1%, Almaz ATAMBAEV 8.4%, Temir SARIEV 6.7%, other candidates 8.8%
Legislative Branch
unicameral Supreme Council or Jogorku Kengesh (90 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
Elections: last held on 16 December 2007 (next to be held in October 2010)
Election Results: Supreme Council - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Ak Jol 71, Social Democratic Party 11, KCP 8
Judicial branch
Supreme Court; Constitutional Court (judges of both the Supreme and Constitutional Courts are appointed for 10-year terms by the Jogorku Kengesh on the recommendation of the president; their mandatory retirement age is 70 years); 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)
Politics
Political Parties and Leaders: Ak Jol (Good Luck) [Tabyldy OROZALIEV]; Ak Shumkar (Gerfalcon) [Temir SARIEV]; Ar-Namys (Dignity) Party [Feliks KULOV]; Asaba (Banner National Revival Party) [Sovetbek JAMALDINOV]]; Ata-Meken (Fatherland) [Omurbek TEKEBAEV]; Erkindik (Freedom) Party [Topchubek TURGUNALIEV]; For Justice Movement [Alikbek JEKSHENKULOV (imprisoned)]; Party of Communists of Kyrgyzstan or KCP [Iskhak MASALIEV]; Social Democratic Party of Kyrgyzstan [Almaz ATAMBAEV]; United Kyrgyzstan [Amangeldi MURALIEV]; United People's Movement of Kyrgyzstan [Azimbek BEKNAZAROV]; Uluu Birimdik (Solidarity) Party [Emilbek KAPTAGAEV]
Political Pressure Groups and Leaders: Adilet Legal Clinic [Cholpon JAKUPOVA]; Coalition for Democracy and Civil Society [Dinara OSHURAKHUNOVA]; Interbilim [Asiya SASYKBAEVA]
International Organization Participation: ADB, CICA, CIS, CSTO, 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), ITSO, ITU, MIGA, NAM (observer), OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, SCO, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
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 a "tunduk" - the crown of a traditional Kyrgyz yurt; red symbolizes bravery and valor, the sun evinces peace and wealth
Economy
Economy Overview: Kyrgyzstan is a poor, mountainous country with a dominant agricultural sector. 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. Kyrgyzstan was the first Commonwealth of Independent States (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 can sparks a decline in GDP. The government made steady strides in controlling its substantial fiscal deficit, nearly closing the gap between revenues and expenditures in 2006, before boosting expenditures more than 20% in 2007-08. 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. GDP grew about 8% annually in 2007-08, partly due to higher gold prices internationally, but GDP fell 1% in 2009, because of declines in remittances and investment following the global financial crisis and because of lower gold production.
Gross Domestic Product
GDP (purchasing power parity): $12.11 billion (2009 est.) Rank: 143
GDP - real growth rate: 2.3% (2009 est.) Rank: 79
GDP - per capita (PPP): $2,200 (2009 est.) Rank: 183
GDP - Composition by Sector: Agriculture: 26.9% Industry: 18.4% Services: 54.7% (2009 est.)
Labor Force
Labor Force: 2.344 million (2007) Rank: 111
Labor force - by occupation: Agriculture: 48% Industry: 12.5% Services: 39.5% (2005 est.)
Unemployment Rate: 18% (2004 est.) Rank: 160
Poverty
Population below poverty line: 40% (2004 est.)
Transnational Issues
International Disputes: Kyrgyzstan 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
