KRYGYZSTAN

Location

Situated on the Tien-shan mountains, the republic is bordered on the east by China, on the west by Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, on the north by Kazakhstan and on the south by Tajikistan.

Geography

Landlocked; entirely mountainous, dominated by the Tien Shan range; many tall peaks, glaciers, and high-altitude lakes.

Capital

Bishkek (Frunze)

Population

5,213,898 (July 2006 est.)

Climate

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

Language

Kirghiz (of Turkic origin) official language, Russian

Monetary Unit

The Som

Largest Cities

Bishkek, Osh, Przhevalsk, Kyzyl-Kiya and Tokmak

Principal rivers

Sarydzhaz, Naryn, Kyzylsu

Places to Visit

Bishkek, Osh, Tokmak, Kyzyl-Kiya

Air Ports

Bishkek International Air Port