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 eastern Central Asia, lying in the Tian Shan and Pamir mountain ranges. Bishkek is the capital and largest city. 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 over 7 million people, followed by significant minorities of Uzbeks and Russians.
Osh is the second-largest city in Kyrgyzstan, located in the Fergana Valley in the south of the country. It is 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.
Jalal-Abad is the administrative and economic centre of Jalal-Abad Region in southwestern Kyrgyzstan. Its area is 88 square kilometres (34 sq mi), and its resident population was 123,239 in 2021. It is situated at the north-eastern end of the Fergana valley along the Kögart river valley, in the foothills of the Babash Ata mountains, very close to the Uzbekistan border.
Jalal-Abad Region is a region (oblus) of Kyrgyzstan. Its capital is the city of the same name, Jalal-Abad. It is surrounded by Talas Region, Chüy Region, Naryn Region, Osh Region, and Uzbekistan. Jalal-Abad Region was established on 21 November 1939. On 27 January 1959 it became a part of Osh Region, but regained its old status as a region on 14 December 1990. Its total area is 32,418 km2 (12,517 sq mi). The resident population of the region was 1,260,617 as of January 2021. The region has a sizeable Uzbek minority.
Mayluu-Suu is a mining town in the Jalal-Abad Region of southern Kyrgyzstan. It is a city of regional significance, not part of a district. Its area is 120 square kilometres (46 sq mi), and its resident population was 25,892 in 2021. It has been economically depressed since the fall of the Soviet Union. From 1946 to 1968 the Zapadnyi Mining and Chemical Combine in Mayluu-Suu mined and processed more than 10,000 short tons (9,100 t) of uranium ore for the Soviet nuclear program. Uranium mining and processing is no longer economical, leaving much of the local population of about 20,000 without meaningful work. The town was classified as one of the Soviet government's secret cities, officially known only as "Mailbox 200". Mayluu-Suu consists of the town proper, the urban-type settlement Kök-Tash and the villages Sary-Bee, Kögoy and Kara-Jygach.
Razzakov, formerly known as Isfana, is a small town in the extreme western end of Batken Region in southern Kyrgyzstan. The town is located in the southern part of the Fergana Valley, in a region surrounded on three sides by Tajikistan. It was renamed by President Sadyr Japarov in honour of Iskhak Razzakov on March 18, 2022.
The Kyrgyz Premier League or OLIMPBET Premier League for sponsorship purposes is the top division of professional football in Kyrgyzstan. It was created in 1992 after the Dissolution of the Soviet Union. The league is composed of eight teams. The most successful team is Dordoi Bishkek who have won the league thirteen times.
Tash-Kömür is one of the five largest towns of Jalal-Abad Region in Southern Kyrgyzstan. It is a city of regional significance, not part of a district. Its area is 47 square kilometres (18 sq mi), and its resident population was 44,065 in 2021. It is located along the West bank of the river Naryn, opposite the main Osh - Bishkek road. Located at the edge of the Tien Shan Mountains, when heading South from Bishkek, Tash-Kömür is the gateway to the Fergana valley.
Kara-Köl is a city in Jalal-Abad Region of Kyrgyzstan. It is a city of regional significance, not part of a district. Its area is 1,050 square kilometres (410 sq mi), and its resident population was 26,901 in 2021. Kara-Köl consists of the town proper, the urban-type settlement Ketmen-Töbö and the village Jazy-Kechüü.
Kerben is a town in Jalal-Abad Region of Kyrgyzstan. Its population was 18,695 in 2021. It is the administrative centre of Aksy District.
Komintern is a village in Jalal-Abad Region of Kyrgyzstan. It is part of Nooken District. Its population was 4,498 in 2021. It lies along the M41 highway (Bishkek–Osh), between Masy and Kochkor-Ata. It lies about 9 km from the Uzbek border, about 40 kilometres (25 mi) northeast of Andijon, Uzbekistan. It was part of Fergana Oblast in the Russian Empire. Historically it had a citadel due to its strategical location, which was taken by Shahbaz.
Kochkor is a large village in northern Naryn Region of Kyrgyzstan. It is the administrative centre of Kochkor District. The village was established in 1909 as Stolypino and renamed to Kochkor in 1917. Altitude 1,800 m. Its population was 11,373 in 2021. It is on the main A365 highway from Torugart Pass (China) north to Bishkek. About 7 km west A367 branches west toward Jalal-Abad Region and the Ferghana Valley. About 25 km northeast along the highway is the Orto-Tokoy reservoir and about 45 km northeast is Balykchy on Lake Issyk-Kul. The village is a base for excursions into the high country and tourist infrastructure is fairly well developed. There is a regional museum.
Nooken District is a district of Jalal-Abad Region in western Kyrgyzstan. The administrative seat lies at Masy. Its area is 2,336 square kilometres (902 sq mi), and its resident population was 145,187 in 2021.
Masy is a large village in Jalal-Abad Region, Kyrgyzstan. Its population was 19,774 in 2021. It is the seat of the Masy ayyl aymagy and Nooken District. The Bishkek - Osh highway passing through Massy goes west to Kochkor-Ata and east to Bazar-Korgon and Jalal-Abad city.
The history of the Jews in Kyrgyzstan is linked directly to the history of the Bukharan Jews of Uzbekistan. Until the 20th century, most Jews living in the Kyrgyz areas were of the Bukharian Jewish community. However, during the 20th century, large amounts of European Jews began to emigrate to Kyrgyzstan which was then part of the Soviet Union, and a small amount of them still live in the country.
Kyrgyzstan Women's League is the top division of women's football in Kyrgyzstan. The league is organized by the Football Federation of Kyrgyz Republic and was established in 2005. Before 1991, some Kyrgyz women's clubs had competed in the Soviet Union women's league system, but after the collapse of the Soviet Union most women's teams left for Russia or simply dissolved.
Kazarman Airport is an airport serving Kazarman, a village in the Toguz-Toro District of Jalal-Abad Region (oblast), Kyrgyzstan. The Russian IATA code for Kazarman Airport is КЗМ.
Kyrgyzstan