Kyrgyzstan (formerly Kirghizia) is a rugged country situated in Central Asia. Tien Shan mountain range, which the country shares with China, covers approximately 75 percent of the whole territory. Landlocked and mountainous, it stands bordered by Kazakhstan in the north, Uzbekistan in the west, Tajikistan in the southwest and China in the east. Kyrgyzstan is spread over an area of approximately 199,900 square kilometers and has a population of approximately 5,172,000. Raising livestock was, and still remains, the main agricultural activity in the country. In case you want to gather more information about Kyrgyzstan, make use of the fun and interesting facts that follow.
Interesting and Fun Facts about Kyrgyzstan
- Kyrgyzstan is officially known as ' Kyrgyz Republic'.
- The capital of Kyrgyzstan is Bishkek, which also forms the country's largest city.
- The official languages of Kyrgyzstan are Kyrgyz and Russian.
- Kyrgyzstan became an independent republic in end 1991, when USSR was dissolved.
- Kyrgyz, Uzbek, Russian, Dungan, Ukrainian and Uygur make up the mian ethnic groups in Kyrgyzstan.
- The ethnic group of Kyrgyz comprises of traditionally nomadic people, believed to have originally lived in southern Siberia.
- Majority of the people in Kyrgyzstan are Muslims, followed by Russian Orthodox and others.
- The currency of Kyrgyzstan is Som (KGS).
- Kyrgyzstan follows the system of a 'Republic'.
- Kyrgyzstan stands dominated by Pamir-Alai and Tien Shan (meaning Heavenly Mountains) mountain ranges.
- The highest point in Kyrgyzstan is formed by Peak Pobedy (7,439 m).
- Kyrgyzstan is home to Inylchek Glacier, one of the largest glaciers in the world.
- Issyk Kul Lake in Kyrgyzstan, also known as ' Pearl of Tien Shan', is one of the largest mountain lakes in the world.
- An interesting fact about Lake Issyk Kul, meaning "warm sea", is that it never ever freezes, in spite of being sited in the mountains.
- Kyrgyzstan shares the Fergana Valley with Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.
- The walnut-fruit forests of Kyrgyzstan are amongst the largest natural walnut forests in the world.
- Manas - one of the longest epics in the world, tells the story of the migration of the Kyrgyz people under the leadership of Manas.
- Osh city of Kyrgyzstan, sited in the Fergana Valley, is said to be three thousand years old.
- Osh city served as an important commercial centre on the Silk Road, the trade route between Europe and China.
- Fergana Valley has been known for its legendary horses, since the ancient times.
- Fergana Valley was the birthplace of Akhmed Al Fergani, the famous astronomer from medieval times.
- The main industries of Kyrgyzstan include small machinery, textiles, food processing, cement, shoes and sawn logs.
