Transport in Kyrgyzstan is severely constrained by the country's alpine topography. Roads have to snake up steep valleys, cross passes of 3,000 m (9,843 ft) altitude and more, and are subject to frequent mud slides and snow avalanches. Winter travel is close to impossible in many of the more remote and high-altitude regions. Additional problems are because many roads and railway lines built during the Soviet period are today intersected by international boundaries, requiring time-consuming border formalities to cross where they are not completely closed. The horse is still a much used transport option, especially in rural and inaccessible areas, as it does not depend on imported fuel.
Kyrgyzstan, officially the Kyrgyz Republic, is a landlocked country in Central Asia, lying in the Tian Shan and Pamir mountain ranges. Bishkek is the capital and largest city of the country. Kyrgyzstan is bordered by Kazakhstan to the north, Uzbekistan to the west, Tajikistan to the south, and China to the east and southeast. Ethnic Kyrgyz make up the majority of the country's 7 million people, followed by significant minorities of Uzbeks and Russians.
The Fergana Valley in Central Asia lies mainly in eastern Uzbekistan, but also extends into southern Kyrgyzstan and northern Tajikistan.
Uzbekistan is divided into 12 regions, 1 autonomous republic, and 1 independent city.
Osh is the second-largest city in Kyrgyzstan, located in the Fergana Valley in the south of the country and often referred to as the "capital of the south". It is the oldest city in the country and has served as the administrative center of Osh Region since 1939. The city has an ethnically mixed population of 322,164 in 2021, comprising Kyrgyz, Uzbeks, Ukrainians, Koreans, and other smaller ethnic groups.
Kyzyl-Kyya is a city in Batken Region, in southwestern Kyrgyzstan. It is a city of regional significance, not part of a district, and consists of the town proper and the villages Karavan, Ak-Bulak and Jin-Jigen. Its area is 78 square kilometres (30 sq mi), and its resident population was 56,819 in 2021. It is situated on the southern edge of the Fergana Valley, 32 km southeast of Fergana, and 65 km southwest of Osh. The town is one of the oldest centers of the coal mining industry in Kyrgyzstan.
The Sulayman Mountain is the only World Heritage Site located entirely in the country of Kyrgyzstan. It is located in the city of Osh and was once a major place of pre-Muslim pilgrimage. The rock rises abruptly from the surrounding plains of the Fergana Valley and is a popular place among locals and visitors, with a splendid view.
Saymaluu-Tash is a petroglyph site and a national park in Jalal-Abad Region, Kyrgyzstan, south of Kazarman. Over 10,000 stones bear pictures—perhaps as many as 98,000 pictures in all—which are black-and-white rock paintings, making the site a globally important collection of rock art. The pictures have been pecked into the near black or grey shiny desert varnish covering many rocks. Most pictures are from the Bronze Age and show animals, humans and symbols. They may partly be seen as a sacred display of offerings of the ancient people of the lower valley.
Ak-Terek is a village in Osh Region of Kyrgyzstan about 43 km northeast of Özgön and 4 km northeast of Salam-Alik on the Jazy river. It is part of the Özgön District. Its population was 1,349 in 2021. It is a base for horse trekking in the Fergana Range.
Jangy-Aryk is a village in Osh Region of Kyrgyzstan. It is part of the Aravan District. Its population was 2,538 in 2021. It lies on the right bank of the river Aravansay, adjacent to the smaller village Kök-Jatyk.
Chatkal is a district of Jalal-Abad Region in western Kyrgyzstan. The administrative seat lies at Kanysh-Kyya. Its area is 4,608 square kilometres (1,779 sq mi), and its resident population was 28,625 in 2021.
Aravan is a district of Osh Region in south-western Kyrgyzstan. The administrative seat lies at Aravan. Its area is 1,340 square kilometres (520 sq mi), and its resident population was 137,721 in 2021.
Chil-Ustun Cave also known as Aravan Cave is located in the Southwest of Kyrgyzstan in the Osh Mountains, composed of Paleozoic limestones, in 3.5 km from Aravan, Kyrgyzstan. It is a protected natural monument. The cave belongs to the group of Karst caves of outlier mountains to the west of Osh.
FC Ak-Zhol is a Kyrgyz football club based in Aravan, Kyrgyzstan that plays in the top division in Kyrgyzstan League that controls bye Football Federation of Kyrgyz Republic.
The Dangi Canyon is a narrow passage of the river Aravansay in the Nookat District, Osh Region of southwestern Kyrgyzstan. It is situated to the south of Aravan and to the north of Nookat. It is a natural monument and a protected area. In the canyon are a series of caves:
Ajydaar-Üngkür is a karst cave near the Dangi Canyon in Nookat District, Osh Region, Kyrgyzstan. It consists of a large tunnel which goes more than 120 metres into the limestone mountain and is notable for the fact that it is home to Kyrgyzstan’s only colony of bats. The bat colony consists of Lesser Mouse-Eared Bats and Greater Horseshoe Bats.
Töömoyun is a mountain in the western part of the Osh Region of Kyrgyzstan. Situated near the left bank of the river Aravansay, its elevation is 1,403 m (4,603 ft). It is near the village Kara-Koktu, between Nookat and Aravan. There are several karst caves on the slopes of the mountain, including Ajydaar-Üngkür, the Baryte Cave and the Fersman Cave.
Barak is a Kyrgyz village that is surrounded by the territory of Uzbekistan. Its de facto status as one of the world's 91 current international enclaves began in 1999. Administratively it is part of Kara-Suu District in Kyrgyzstan's Osh Region. It is encircled by the Andijan Region of Uzbekistan. Its population was 985 in 2021.
The Aravansay is a river in Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. Its source is in the Kichi-Alay range, part of the Alay Range, and it discharges into the Shahrixonsoy, one of the canals of the Fergana Valley. The river is 102 km (63 mi) long, and the watershed covers 1,960 km2 (760 sq mi). In its upper course, it is called the Gezart, and in its middle course the Chilisay. Its largest tributaries are the Kyrgyzata, Koschan, Agart and Akdöbö. The main settlements along the river Aravansay are the villages Jangy-Nookat and Aravan. Near the village Kara-Koktu it passes through the Dangi Canyon.
