Bishkek, formerly Pishpek and Frunze, is the capital and largest city of Kyrgyzstan. Bishkek is also the administrative centre of the Chüy Region. The region surrounds the city, although the city itself is not part of the region but rather a region-level unit of Kyrgyzstan. Bishkek is situated near the Kazakhstan–Kyrgyzstan border with its population being 1,074,075 in 2021.
The economy of Kyrgyzstan is heavily dependent on the agricultural sector. Cotton, tobacco, wool, and meat are the main agricultural products, although only tobacco and cotton are exported in any quantity. According to Healy Consultants, Kyrgyzstan's economy relies heavily on the strength of industrial exports, with plentiful reserves of gold, mercury and uranium. The economy also relies heavily on remittances from foreign workers. Following independence, Kyrgyzstan was progressive in carrying out market reforms, such as an improved regulatory system and land reform. In 1998, 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. Kyrgyzstan's economic performance has been hindered by widespread corruption, low foreign investment and general regional instability. Despite those issues, Kyrgyzstan is ranked 70th on the ease of doing business index.
The Armed Forces of the Kyrgyz Republic is the national military of Kyrgyzstan. It was originally formed from the former Soviet forces of the Turkestan Military District stationed in newly independent Kyrgyzstan. It consists of the Ground Forces, the Air Force and the National Guard. Affiliated security forces to the armed forces included the Internal Troops, the State Committee for National Security and the Border Troops.
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. With a population of 6.7 million, Kyrgyzstan is the 34th-most populous country in Asia, and the 4th-most populous country in Central Asia. Ethnic Kyrgyz make up the majority of the country's seven million people, followed by significant minorities of Uzbeks and Russians.
The flag of Kyrgyzstan consists of a red field charged with a yellow sun that contains a depiction of a tunduk, the opening in the center of the roof of a yurt. Adopted in 1992, just over seven months after the country's independence was declared, to replace the flag of the Kirghiz Soviet Socialist Republic (SSR), it has been the flag of the Kyrgyz Republic since that year. The red on the flag is said to be inspired by the pennant lifted by Manas, the country's folk hero.
The Kyrgyzstan national football team, officially recognised by FIFA and AFC as Kyrgyz Republic, represents Kyrgyzstan in international football and is controlled by the Kyrgyz Football Union, a member of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and Central Asian Football Association.
The National Anthem of the Kyrgyz Republic is the title of the current national anthem of Kyrgyzstan, adopted on 18 December 1992 by a resolution of the Supreme Council of Kyrgyzstan. The music was composed by Nasyr Davlesov and Kalyy Moldobasanov, and the words were written by Jalil Sadykov and Shabdanbek Kuluyev.
The president of Kyrgyzstan, officially the president of the Kyrgyz Republic, is the head of state and head of government of the Kyrgyz Republic. The president directs the executive branch of the national government, is the commander-in-chief of the Kyrgyz military and also heads the National Security Council.
The Ala-Archa Nature Park is an alpine national park in the Tian Shan mountains of Kyrgyzstan, located approximately 35 km south of the capital city of Bishkek. Established in 1976, it currently covers 16,485 hectares.
The Supreme Council is the unicameral parliament of the Kyrgyz Republic. It was known as the Supreme Soviet of the Kirghiz Soviet Socialist Republic until 1991.
The Kyrgyz Football Union is the governing body of football in Kyrgyzstan. The organization controls the Kyrgyzstan national football team, Kyrgyzstan national futsal team and sponsors the Kyrgyz Professional Football League.
Visitors to Kyrgyzstan must obtain a visa in advance online or from one of the Kyrgyzstan diplomatic missions, unless they come from one of the visa-exempt countries or countries whose citizens are eligible for a visa upon arrival. Despite proposals to abolish the visa-free regime, the Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan vowed to retain the current policy in December 2015.
Besh-Tash Nature Park is a nature park in Talas Region, Kyrgyzstan. It is located 13 km from the city of Talas. It was established in 1996. It currently covers 13,731.5 hectares, including 5,895 hectares of strictly protected area and 334.5 hectares for regulated recreational use.
The Protected areas of Kyrgyzstan are regulated by the law on specially protected natural areas of 2 May 2011, last modified on 2 June 2018. In total, they cover 14,761.216 km2 (5,699.337 sq mi) and account for 7.38% of the country's total area. The first protected area in Kyrgyzstan (Issyk-Kul) was established in 1948. According to the Government Decree on Priorities of Conservation of Biological Diversity and the relevant Action Plan for 2014-2024 the target area for the protected areas in Kyrgyzstan is 10 percent of the country’s area by 2024.
Anton Aleksandrovich Zemlyanukhin is a Kyrgyzstani international footballer who plays for Alga Bishkek.
The sport of football in the country of Kyrgyzstan is run by the Football Federation of Kyrgyz Republic. The association administers the national football team as well as the Kyrgyzstan League. Football is the most popular sport in the country.
The Miss Kyrgyzstan is a national beauty pageant in Kyrgyzstan. The pageant was founded in 2009, where the winners were sent to Miss Universe.
Sarkent State Nature Park is a national park in Leylek District of Batken Region of Kyrgyzstan established in June 2009. The purpose of the park is conservation of the unique natural complexes and biodiversity, protection of rare and endangered flora and fauna, and extension of network of specially protected areas of Kyrgyz Republic. The area of the park is 39,999 hectares. The park is located in the Turkestan Range, 42 km from the district center Isfana and in 177 km from the regional center Batken.
Chong-Kemin Nature Park is a park in Kemin District of Chüy Region of Kyrgyzstan established in August 1997. The purpose of the park is conservation of the unique nature complexes in Chong-Kemin Valley of the Kemin District and organization of recreation for local and foreign tourists. The area of the park is 123,564 hectares. The park is located in 30 km from the regional center Kemin and in 135 km from Bishkek.
Karakol Nature Park is a national park in Ak-Suu District of Issyk-Kul Region of Kyrgyzstan established in April 1997. The purpose of the park is conservation of the unique nature complexes, forests, and flora and fauna of special ecological and aesthetic value for beneficial combination of natural and cultural landscapes and their use for recreational, cultural and educational purposes. It covers 38,095 ha. The park is located 6 km from the regional center Karakol and 336 km from Bishkek.
