Kyrgyzstan

File:Stans08-366 (3134263725).jpg in Bishkek]]

Kyrgyz is derived from the Turkic word for "We are forty", believed to refer to the forty clans of Manas, a legendary hero who united forty regional clans. The Persian suffix -stan means "place of".

The 40-ray sun on the flag of Kyrgyzstan is a reference to those same forty tribes and the graphical element in the sun's center depicts the wooden crown, called tunduk, of a yurt—a portable dwelling traditionally used by nomads in the steppes of Central Asia.

The country's official name is Kyrgyz Republic, used in international arenas and foreign relations.{{Cite web |date=5 July 2018 |title=Canada – Kyrgyz Republic Relations |work=GAC |url=http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/kazakhstan/bilateral_relations_bilaterales/canada_kyrgyz-kirghizie.aspx?lang=eng |access-date=20 September 2018 |publisher=Canadainternational.gc.ca |last1=Canada |first1=Global Affairs }}{{Cite web |date=26 October 2016 |title=The World Bank in the Kyrgyz Republic |url=http://www.worldbank.org/en/country/kyrgyzrepublic |access-date=20 September 2018 |publisher=Worldbank.org}} In the English-speaking world, the spelling Kyrgyzstan is commonly used, while its former name Kirghizia{{efn|{{langx|ru|Киргизия|Kirgiziya}}, {{IPA|ru|kʲɪrˈɡʲizʲɪjə|pron|ru-Киргизия.ogg}}.}} is rarely used.{{Cite web |last= |date=22 February 2018 |title=Vladimir Putin to meet with Azerbaijani delegation |url=https://news.az/articles/politics/129214 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180308041738/https://news.az/articles/politics/129214 |archive-date=8 March 2018 |access-date=6 October 2020 |website=News.Az}}

{{Main|History of Kyrgyzstan}}

File:Sary_-_Kamysh,_Kyrgyz_Republic_petroglyphs.jpg, Sary Kamysh]]

The Kyrgyz state reached its greatest expansion after defeating the Uyghur Khaganate in 840 AD.{{Cite news |date=12 June 2010 |title=Kyrgyzstan timeline |work=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/country_profiles/1296570.stm}} From the tenth century, the Kyrgyz migrated as far as the Tian Shan range and maintained their dominance over this territory for about 200 years.

There is a storytelling tradition of the Epic of Manas, which involves a warrior who unified all of the scattered tribes into a single nation in the 9th century. The trilogy, an element of the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List, expresses the memory of the nomadic peoples.{{Cite web |title=Browse the Lists of Intangible Cultural Heritage and the Register of good safeguarding practices |url=https://ich.unesco.org/en/lists |access-date=2025-04-01 |website=unesco.org |language=en}}

In the 12th century, the Kyrgyz dominion had shrunk to the Altay Range and Sayan Mountains as a result of the Mongol expansion. With the rise of the Mongol Empire in the thirteenth century, the Kyrgyz migrated south. The Kyrgyz peacefully became a part of the Mongol Empire in 1207.

File:Caravanserai Tash Rabat on Silk Road in Kyrgyzstan.jpg caravansarai utilized during the Islamic Golden Age]]

Issyk Kul Lake was a stopover on the Silk Road, a land route for traders, merchants, and other travelers from the Far East to Europe.

Kyrgyz tribes were overrun in the 17th century by the Mongols, in the mid-18th century by the Manchu-led Qing dynasty of China, and in the early 19th century by the Uzbek Khanate of Kokand."[http://countrystudies.us/kyrgyzstan/2.htm Kyrgyzstan–Mongol Domination]" Library of Congress Country Studies. In 1842, the Kyrgyz tribes broke away from Kokand and united into the {{Ill|Кыргыз хандыгы|lt=Kara-Kyrgyz Khanate|ky}}, led by Ormon Khan. Following Ormon's death in 1854, the khanate disintegrated.{{Cite book |last=Osmonov |first=Oskon Dzhusupbekovich |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3KWqAQAACAAJ |title=A History of Kyrgyzstan: From Stone Age to the Present |publisher=Sarybaev TT |year=2016 |isbn=978-9967-04-680-1 |edition=2 |location=Bishkek |language=en |access-date=3 October 2022}}

In the late nineteenth century, the eastern part of what is today Kyrgyzstan, mainly the Issyk-Kul Region, was ceded to the Russian Empire by Qing China through the Treaty of Tarbagatai.{{Cite web |title=Chinese Empire. |url=https://www.davidrumsey.com/luna/servlet/detail/RUMSEY~8~1~29863~1140598:Chinese-Empire- |website=www.davidrumsey.com}} The territory, then known in Russian as "Kirghizia", was formally incorporated into the Empire in 1876. The Russian takeover was met with numerous revolts, and many of the Kyrgyz opted to relocate to the Pamir Mountains and Afghanistan.

In addition, the suppression of the 1916 rebellion against Russian rule in Central Asia caused many Kyrgyz later to migrate to China."[http://countrystudies.us/uzbekistan/10.htm Uzbekistan – The Jadidists and Basmachis]". Library of Congress Country Studies. Since many ethnic groups in the region were, and still are, split between neighboring states at a time when borders were more porous and less regulated, it was common to move back and forth over the mountains, depending on where life was perceived as better; this might mean better rains for pasture or better government during oppression.

Soviet power was initially established in the region in 1919, and the Kara-Kyrgyz Autonomous Oblast was created within the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic (SFSR). The phrase Kara-Kirghiz was used until the mid-1920s by the Russians to distinguish them from the Kazakhs, who were also referred to as Kirghiz. On 5 December 1936, the Kirghiz Soviet Socialist Republic was established as a constituent Union Republic of the Soviet Union.

After the Russian Civil War, the period of the New Economic Policy (NEP), began, which lasted roughly to 1928.{{Cite book |last=Thomas |first=Alun |title=Nomads and Soviet Rule: Central Asia under Lenin and Stalin |publisher=Bloomsbury Academic |year=2019 |isbn=978-1350143685 |edition=Paperback}} The Bolsheviks made an effort to establish a standardized tax system, with higher taxes for nomads to discourage the wandering livelihood and they divided the Central Asia region into five nation-states.{{Cite book |last=Stolberg |first=Eva-Maria |url=https://www.hsozkult.de/publicationreview/id/reb-7534 |title=Book review - Edgar, Adrienne Lynn: Tribal Nation. The Making of Soviet Turkmenistan, Princeton 2004: Princeton University Press |year=2004 |publisher=Princeton University Press |isbn=9780691117751 |access-date=2022-12-09}}{{Cite book |last=Edgar |first=Adrienne |url=http://hsozkult.geschichte.hu-berlin.de/rezensionen/2005-4-012 |title=Tribal Nation |publisher=Princeton University Press |year=2004 |isbn=978-0-691-11775-1 |location=Princeton, NJ |page=296}} Kyrgyzstan developed considerably in cultural, educational, and social life, literacy was greatly improved. Economic and social development also was notable. Under Stalin a great focus was put on Kyrgyz national identity. The Soviet state was fighting tribalism: its social organization based on patrilineal kinship contradicted the concept of the modern nation state.{{Cite journal |last=Shelestyuk |first=Elena |date=4 November 2019 |title=National in Form, Socialist in Content: USSR National and Language Policies in the Early Period |url=https://www.shs-conferences.org/articles/shsconf/abs/2019/10/shsconf_cildiah2019_00104/shsconf_cildiah2019_00104.html |journal=SHS Web of Conferences |volume=69 |pages=00104 |doi=10.1051/shsconf/20196900104 |s2cid=211378423 |via=www.shs-conferences.org |doi-access=free|issn = 2261-2424 }} In a region that did not previously know national institutions or consciousness, the process of nation-building was, from the indigenous perspective, a difficult and ambivalent one.

By the end of the 1920s, the Soviet Union developed a series of five-year plans, centered around industrialization and the collectivization of agriculture, including the creation of huge "kolkhoz" collective farming systems, needed to feed the new workers in the industries.{{Cite news |date=2015-06-17 |title=1929 |language=en-US |work=Seventeen Moments in Soviet History |url=http://soviethistory.msu.edu/1929-2/ |access-date=2018-03-25}} Because of the plan's reliance on rapidity, major economic and cultural changes had to occur, which led to conflicts. In Kyrgyzstan, Russian settlers acquired the best pasture land, creating much hardship for most of its original inhabitants, Kazakh, Kyrgyz and Turkmen nomads, who were also forced to settle down on soil that hadn't enough agricultural potential.{{Cite web |title=Kyrgyz {{!}} people |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Kyrgyz-people |access-date=2022-12-08 |website=Encyclopedia Britannica |language=en}} The changes caused unrest, and between 1928 and 1932, nomads and peasants made it clear through methods like passive resistance that they did not agree with these policies, in the Kirgiziya area also guerrilla opposition occurred. The region suffered relatively more deaths from collectivization than any other.

File:Suusamyr Valley (3968060227).jpg, Kyrgyzstan]]

The early years of glasnost, in the late 1980s, had little effect on the political climate in Kyrgyzstan. However, the Republic's press was permitted to adopt a more liberal stance and to establish a new publication, Literaturny Kirghizstan, by the Union of Writers. Unofficial political groups were forbidden, but several groups that emerged in 1989 to deal with the acute housing crisis were permitted to function.

According to the last Soviet census in 1989, ethnic Kyrgyz made up only 22% of the residents of the northern city of Frunze (now Bishkek), while more than 60% were Russians, Ukrainians, and people from other Slavic nations. Nearly 10% of the capital's population were Jewish (a rather unique fact, for almost any place in the Soviet Union, except the Jewish Autonomous Oblast).

In June 1990, ethnic tensions between Uzbeks and Kyrgyz surfaced in the Osh Region (southern Kyrgyzstan), where Uzbeks form a minority of the population.{{Cite news |date=15 February 2006 |title=KYRGYZSTAN: Economic disparities driving inter-ethnic conflict |publisher=IRIN Asia |url=http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?reportid=33728}} The tensions between Kyrgyzs and Uzbeks in Osis led to 186 deaths.{{Cite web |title=Kyrgyzstan |url=https://communistcrimes.org/en/countries/kyrgyzstan |access-date=2020-11-24 |website=Kyrgyzstan {{!}} Communist Crimes |language=en}} Attempts to appropriate Uzbek collective farms for housing development triggered the Osh Riots. A state of emergency and curfew were introduced"[http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/civilsociety/articles/eav012506.shtml Ethnic Uzbeks in Kyrgyzstan Voice Complaints Over Discrimination, Corruption] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100614193258/http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/civilsociety/articles/eav012506.shtml |date=14 June 2010 }}". EurasiaNet.org. 24 January 2006. and Askar Akayev, the youngest of five sons born into a family of collective farm workers (in northern Kyrgyzstan), was elected president in October of that same year. By then, the Kyrgyzstan Democratic Movement (KDM) had developed into a significant political force with support in Parliament. On 15 December 1990, the Supreme Soviet voted to change the republic's name to the Republic of Kyrgyzstan. The following January, Akayev introduced new government structures and appointed a new cabinet composed mainly of younger, reform-oriented politicians. In February 1991, the name of the capital, Frunze, was changed back to its pre-revolutionary name of Bishkek.{{Cite web |last=Refugees |first=United Nations High Commissioner for |title=Refworld {{!}} Chronology for Russians in Kyrgyzstan |url=https://www.refworld.org/docid/469f38b01e.html |access-date=2021-01-05 |website=Refworld |language=en}}

Despite these political moves toward independence, economic realities seemed to work against secession from the Soviet Union. In a referendum on the preservation of the Soviet Union in March 1991, 88.7% of the voters approved the proposal to retain the Soviet Union as a "renewed federation".{{Cite web |title=1991 |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Kyrgyz-people |access-date=2025-03-29 |website=gorby.ru |language=ru}} Nevertheless, secessionist forces pushed Kyrgyzstan's independence through in August of that same year.

On 19 August 1991, when the State Emergency Committee assumed power in Moscow, there was an attempt to depose Akayev in Kyrgyzstan. After the coup collapsed the following week, Akayev and Vice President German Kuznetsov announced their resignations from the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (CPSU), and the entire bureau and secretariat resigned. This was followed by the Supreme Soviet vote declaring independence from the Soviet Union on 31 August 1991 as the Republic of Kyrgyzstan.{{Cite web |title=Kyrgyzstan {{!}} People, Language, & History |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Kyrgyzstan |access-date=2021-01-05 |website=Encyclopedia Britannica |language=en}}

File:Stamps of Kyrgyzstan, 2011-05.jpg, on a Kyrgyzstan stamp]]

According to a 2013 Gallup poll, 62% of Kyrgyz people say that the collapse of the Soviet Union harmed their country, while only 16% said that the collapse benefitted it.{{Cite web |last1=Esipova |first1=Neli |last2=Ray |first2=Julie |date=2013-12-19 |title=Former Soviet Countries See More Harm From Breakup |url=https://news.gallup.com/poll/166538/former-soviet-countries-harm-breakup.aspx |website=Gallup |language=en}}

In October 1991, Akayev ran unopposed and was elected president of the new independent republic by direct ballot, receiving 95 percent of the votes cast. Together with representatives of seven other Republics that same month, he signed the Treaty of the Economic Community. The new leaders of three out of four Soviet Union's founding republics, Russia, Belarus and Ukraine, on 8 December 1991 signed the Belavezha Accords, denouncing the Union Treaty of 1922, declaring that the Union would cease to exist and proclaimed the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) in its place.{{Cite web |first1=Kavitha |last1=Surana |first2=Ruby |last2=Mellen |title=The Last Days of the Soviet Union |url=https://foreignpolicy.com/slideshow/the-last-days-of-the-soviet-union/ |access-date=2022-12-10 |website=Foreign Policy |date=22 December 2016 |language=en-US}}

On 21 December 1991, Kyrgyzstan agreed with the other four Central Asian Republics, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan to the Alma-Ata Protocols, formally entering the Commonwealth with Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Moldova, and Ukraine. Finally, Kyrgyzstan gained full independence on 25 December 1991. The following day, on 26 December 1991, the Soviet Union ceased to exist. In 1992, Kyrgyzstan joined the United Nations and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). On 5 May 1993, the official name changed from the Republic of Kyrgyzstan to the Kyrgyz Republic following the adoption of a new constitution.{{cite book |last1=Czerewacz-Filipowicz |first1=Katarzyna |last2=Konopelko |first2=Agnieszka |title=Regional Integration Processes in the Commonwealth of Independent States: Economic and Political Factors |date=26 November 2016 |publisher=Springer |isbn=978-3-319-47563-9 |page=103 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dbedDQAAQBAJ |language=en}}

As of today, Kyrgyzstan celebrates its Independence Day annually on August 31, the anniversary of its declaration of independence in 1991. Since independence, Kyrgyzstan has made developments such as creating genuinely free news media and fostering an active political opposition.{{Cite web |title=Kyrgyzstan as an Independent Nation |url=http://factsanddetails.com/central-asia/Kyrgyzstan/sub8_5a/entry-4746.html |access-date=26 December 2021 |website=Facts and Details}}

In February and March 2005, parliamentary elections were held, which the opposition and international observers criticized for alleged irregularities. Widespread protests erupted, leading to the ousting of President Askar Akayev, who fled the country and resigned in April 2005. This series of events became known as the Tulip Revolution. Subsequently, Kurmanbek Bakiyev, a former prime minister and opposition leader, assumed the presidency after winning the July 2005 presidential election with a significant majority.{{Cite news |title=A tulip revolution |url=https://www.economist.com/unknown/2005/03/24/a-tulip-revolution |access-date=2025-04-01 |newspaper=The Economist |issn=0013-0613}}Marat E. The Tulip Revolution: Kyrgyzstan one year after. The Jamestown Foundation, Washington DC{{Cite news |date=2005-08-14 |title=Bakiev sworn in as Kyrgyz leader |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4150084.stm |access-date=2025-04-01 |language=en-GB}}

After assuming office, President Bakiyev faced challenges, including political unrest and demands for constitutional reforms. In 2006 and 2007, large-scale protests occurred, with citizens calling for a reduction in presidential powers and increased governmental transparency. In response, Bakiyev implemented constitutional amendments and appointed opposition figures to key positions. Despite these measures, tensions persisted throughout his tenure.

Throughout the decade, Kyrgyzstan grappled with economic difficulties, including energy shortages and rising utility prices. In 2009, the government announced significant increases in electricity and heating tariffs, leading to public discontent. Additionally, the country faced challenges related to corruption and organized crime, which impacted its social and economic development.{{Cite web |title=Stratfor: The World's Leading Geopolitical Intelligence Platform |url=https://worldview.stratfor.com:443/ |access-date=2025-04-01 |website=worldview.stratfor.com}}{{Cite web |title=Kyrgyzstan: Utility Price Hike Squeezes Citizens |url=http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insightb/articles/eav020810.shtml |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20171012062753/http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insightb/articles/eav020810.shtml |archive-date=2017-10-12 |access-date=2025-04-01 |website=EurasiaNet.org |language=en}}

In 2009, Bakiyev announced the eviction of the U.S. military from the Manas Air Base, a strategic transit center supporting operations in Afghanistan.{{Cite web |title=Kyrgyzstan - The World Factbook |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/about/archives/2021/countries/kyrgyzstan |access-date=2025-04-01 |website=www.cia.gov}}

In April 2010, widespread protests erupted against President Kurmanbek Bakiyev's administration, driven by public discontent over corruption and rising energy prices. These demonstrations culminated in Bakiyev's ousting and the establishment of a provisional government led by Roza Otunbayeva. Subsequently, in June 2010, violent ethnic clashes occurred in the southern cities of Osh and Jalal-Abad between Kyrgyz and Uzbek communities, resulting in over 400 deaths and displacing thousands.{{Cite web |title=Kyrgyzstan: Freedom in the World 2019 Country Report |url=https://freedomhouse.org/country/kyrgyzstan/freedom-world/2019 |access-date=2025-04-01 |website=Freedom House |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Society |first=The Oxus |date=2021-01-13 |title=Ten Years Gone: The Legacy of the 2010 Revolution and Ethnic Violence in Kyrgyzstan: A Roundtable - The Oxus Society for Central Asian Affairs |url=https://oxussociety.org/ten-years-gone-the-legacy-of-the-2010-revolution-and-ethnic-violence-in-kyrgyzstan-a-roundtable/ |access-date=2025-04-01 |language=en-US}}

Following these events, a referendum was held in June 2010 to adopt a new constitution aimed at reducing presidential powers and enhancing parliamentary authority. The referendum passed with approximately 90% approval and a 70% voter turnout, despite challenges posed by recent unrest. This constitution introduced a single six-year term for the president without the possibility of re-election and limited any single political party to 65 of the 120 parliamentary seats to prevent power concentration.Sinor, D., Allworth, E. "Kyrgyzstan." Encyclopedia Britannica, March 29, 2025. https://www.britannica.com/place/Kyrgyzstan

Under the new constitutional framework, Kyrgyzstan held its first parliamentary elections in October 2010, which were noted for their peaceful conduct and absence of major voting irregularities. In 2011, Almazbek Atambayev was elected president, serving until 2017. His tenure focused on stabilizing the country and implementing democratic reforms, including the introduction of biometric registration to enhance electoral transparency. In 2017, Sooronbay Jeenbekov succeeded Atambayev as president, continuing efforts to strengthen democratic institutions and address ongoing challenges such as corruption and economic development.

Significant reforms were undertaken during this period, including the abolition of military courts in December 2016 to streamline the judicial system and enhance civilian oversight. Additionally, the Ministry of Defense was restructured into the State Committee for Defense Affairs, with operational control of the armed forces transferred to the General Staff to improve military efficiency and accountability.

In 2016, Kyrgyzstan commemorated the centennial of the 1916 uprising against Tsarist Russia, known as Urkun, by unveiling a monument at the Ata-Beyit memorial complex.

In October 2020, widespread protests erupted in response to disputed parliamentary election results, leading to the annulment of the elections and the resignation of President Sooronbay Jeenbekov. Amid the unrest, Sadyr Japarov, a nationalist politician previously imprisoned, was released and subsequently appointed as interim president and prime minister. His rapid ascent to power was facilitated by parliamentary approval under contentious circumstances. In January 2021, Japarov was elected president in a landslide victory.{{Cite web |last=guillermo |title=Kyrgyzstan: Central Asia's Island of Democracy Sinks Into Authoritarianism - Foreign Policy Research Institute |url=https://www.fpri.org/article/2024/04/kyrgyzstan-central-asias-island-of-democracy-sinks-into-authoritarianism/ |access-date=2025-04-01 |website=www.fpri.org |language=en-US}}{{Cite news |date=2024-10-10 |title=Au Kirghizistan, la condamnation de journalistes et militants anticorruption confirme le tournant autoritaire du régime |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/international/article/2024/10/10/au-kirghizistan-la-condamnation-de-journalistes-et-militants-anticorruption-confirme-le-tournant-autoritaire-du-regime_6348415_3210.html |access-date=2025-04-01 |language=fr}}{{Cite web |title=Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan sign deal to end long-running border dispute |website=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/kyrgyzstan-tajikistan-sign-deal-end-long-running-border-dispute-2025-03-13/}}

Following his election, President Japarov initiated a series of constitutional reforms aimed at shifting the country's governance structure from a parliamentary to a presidential system. A referendum held in January 2021 approved these changes, granting the president expanded powers, including the authority to appoint judges and diminishing the role of parliament. Critics labeled the new constitution the "Khanstitution," expressing concerns over the potential for authoritarian rule.{{Cite web |title=Kyrgyzstan's president dismisses prime minister |website=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/kyrgyzstans-president-dismisses-prime-minister-ria-reports-2024-12-16/}}

The period also witnessed increased pressure on independent media and civil society organizations. In 2024, the Kyrgyz government implemented measures to intimidate and silence journalists and critics. The Supreme Court ordered the closure of a leading investigative media outlet, sentencing two journalists to prison terms and placing two others on probation for their reporting. Additionally, a "foreign representatives" law came into effect in April 2024, imposing strict government oversight on NGOs receiving foreign funding.{{Citation |last=Human Rights Watch |title=Kyrgyzstan: Events of 2024 |date=2025-01-16 |work=Share this via Facebook |url=https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2025/country-chapters/kyrgyzstan |access-date=2025-04-01 |language=en}}{{Cite news |last=Pikulicka-Wilczewska |first=Agnieszka |date=2024-10-28 |title='They want to show no one can escape': how the long arm of Russia is reaching out for Putin critics in exile |url=https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2024/oct/28/long-arm-russia-putin-critics-in-exile |access-date=2025-04-01 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}{{Cite web |title=Kyrgyz court finds four journalists guilty of inciting unrest |website=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/kyrgyz-court-finds-four-journalists-guilty-inciting-unrest-2024-10-10/}}

Kyrgyzstan's longstanding border disputes with neighboring Tajikistan escalated into violent clashes, notably around the town of Batken in 2021 and 2022, culminating in a six-day conflict in September 2022. In March 2025, Presidents Japarov and Emomali Rahmon of Tajikistan signed an agreement to demarcate their shared border, aiming to resolve the territorial conflicts and reopen transportation links that had been closed since the 2022 clashes.{{Cite web |title=Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan sign deal to end long-running border dispute |website=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/kyrgyzstan-tajikistan-sign-deal-end-long-running-border-dispute-2025-03-13/}}

In December 2024, President Japarov dismissed Prime Minister Akylbek Japarov, who had served since 2021, citing a transfer to another position. First Deputy Prime Minister Adylbek Kasymaliyev was appointed as acting prime minister.

{{Main|Geography of Kyrgyzstan}}

File:Kyrgyzstan Topography.png

File:Bringing the sheep home, on the southern shore of Issy-Kol. (3968109583).jpg]]

Kyrgyzstan is a landlocked country in Central Asia, bordering Kazakhstan, China, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. It lies between latitudes 39° and 44° N, and longitudes 69° and 81° E. It is farther from the sea than any other individual country, and all its rivers flow into closed drainage systems which do not reach the sea. The mountainous region of the Tian Shan covers over 80% of the country (Kyrgyzstan is occasionally referred to as "the Switzerland of Central Asia", as a result),{{Cite web |last=Escobar |first=Pepe |date=26 March 2005 |title=The Tulip Revolution takes root |url=http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Central_Asia/GC26Ag03.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050327033351/http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Central_Asia/GC26Ag03.html |archive-date=27 March 2005 |publisher=Asia Times Online}} with the remainder made up of valleys and basins.

File:Kyrgyzstan.png

Issyk-Kul Lake, or Ysyk-Köl in Kyrgyz, in the north-eastern Tian Shan is the largest lake in Kyrgyzstan and the second largest mountain lake in the world after Titicaca. The lowest point is in Kara-Daryya (Karadar'ya) at 132 meters and the highest peaks are in the Kakshaal-Too range, forming the Chinese border. Peak Jengish Chokusu, at {{convert|7439|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}, is the highest point and is considered by geologists to be the northernmost peak over {{convert|7000|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} in the world. Heavy snowfall in winter leads to spring floods which often cause serious damage downstream. The runoff from the mountains is also used for hydro-electricity.

Kyrgyzstan has significant deposits of metals including gold and rare-earth metals. Due to the country's predominantly mountainous terrain, less than 8% of the land is cultivated, and this is concentrated in the northern lowlands and the fringes of the Fergana Valley.

Bishkek in the north is the capital and largest city, with 937,400 inhabitants ({{As of|2015|lc=y}}). The second city is the ancient town of Osh, located in the Fergana Valley near the border with Uzbekistan. The principal river is the Kara Darya, which flows west through the Fergana Valley into Uzbekistan. Across the border in Uzbekistan it meets another major Kyrgyz river, the Naryn.

The confluence forms the Syr Darya, which originally flowed into the Aral Sea. {{As of|2010}}, it no longer reaches the sea, as its water is withdrawn upstream to irrigate cotton fields in Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and southern Kazakhstan. The Chu River also briefly flows through Kyrgyzstan before entering Kazakhstan.

Kyrgyzstan contains seven terrestrial ecosystems: Tian Shan montane conifer forests, Alai-Western Tian Shan steppe, Gissaro-Alai open woodlands, Tian Shan foothill arid steppe, Pamir alpine desert and tundra, Tian Shan montane steppe and meadows, and Central Asian northern desert.{{Cite journal |last1=Dinerstein |first1=Eric |last2=Olson |first2=David |last3=Joshi |first3=Anup |last4=Vynne |first4=Carly |last5=Burgess |first5=Neil D. |last6=Wikramanayake |first6=Eric |last7=Hahn |first7=Nathan |last8=Palminteri |first8=Suzanne |last9=Hedao |first9=Prashant |last10=Noss |first10=Reed |last11=Hansen |first11=Matt |last12=Locke |first12=Harvey |last13=Ellis |first13=Erle C |last14=Jones |first14=Benjamin |last15=Barber |first15=Charles Victor |display-authors=1 |year=2017 |title=An Ecoregion-Based Approach to Protecting Half the Terrestrial Realm |journal=BioScience |volume=67 |issue=6 |pages=534–545 |doi=10.1093/biosci/bix014 |issn=0006-3568 |pmc=5451287 |pmid=28608869 |last16=Hayes |first16=Randy |last17=Kormos |first17=Cyril |last18=Martin |first18=Vance |last19=Crist |first19=Eileen |last20=Sechrest |first20=Wes |last21=Price |first21=Lori |last22=Baillie |first22=Jonathan E. M. |last23=Weeden |first23=Don |last24=Suckling |first24=Kierán |last25=Davis |first25=Crystal |last26=Sizer |first26=Nigel |last27=Moore |first27=Rebecca |last28=Thau |first28=David |last29=Birch |first29=Tanya |last30=Potapov |first30=Peter |last31=Turubanova |first31=Svetlana |last32=Tyukavina |first32=Alexandra |last33=de Souza |first33=Nadia |last34=Pintea |first34=Lilian |last35=Brito |first35=José C. |last36=Llewellyn |first36=Othman A. |last37=Miller |first37=Anthony G. |last38=Patzelt |first38=Annette |last39=Ghazanfar |first39=Shahina A. |last40=Timberlake |first40=Jonathan |last41=Klöser |first41=Heinz |last42=Shennan-Farpón |first42=Yara |last43=Kindt |first43=Roeland |last44=Lillesø |first44=Jens-Peter Barnekow |last45=van Breugel |first45=Paulo |last46=Graudal |first46=Lars |last47=Voge |first47=Maianna |last48=Al-Shammari |first48=Khalaf F. |last49=Saleem |first49=Muhammad}} It had a 2019 Forest Landscape Integrity Index mean score of 8.86/10, ranking it 13th globally out of 172 countries.{{Cite journal |last1=Grantham |first1=H. S. |last2=Duncan |first2=A. |last3=Evans |first3=T. D. |last4=Jones |first4=K. R. |last5=Beyer |first5=H. L. |last6=Schuster |first6=R. |last7=Walston |first7=J. |last8=Ray |first8=J. C. |last9=Robinson |first9=J. G. |last10=Callow |first10=M. |last11=Clements |first11=T. |last12=Costa |first12=H. M. |last13=DeGemmis |first13=A. |last14=Elsen |first14=P. R. |last15=Ervin |first15=J. |display-authors=1 |year=2020 |title=Anthropogenic modification of forests means only 40% of remaining forests have high ecosystem integrity - Supplementary Material |journal=Nature Communications |volume=11 |issue=1 |page=5978 |bibcode=2020NatCo..11.5978G |doi=10.1038/s41467-020-19493-3 |issn=2041-1723 |pmc=7723057 |pmid=33293507 |last16=Franco |first16=P. |last17=Goldman |first17=E. |last18=Goetz |first18=S. |last19=Hansen |first19=A. |last20=Hofsvang |first20=E. |last21=Jantz |first21=P. |last22=Jupiter |first22=S. |last23=Kang |first23=A. |last24=Langhammer |first24=P. |last25=Laurance |first25=W. F. |last26=Lieberman |first26=S. |last27=Linkie |first27=M. |last28=Malhi |first28=Y. |last29=Maxwell |first29=S. |last30=Mendez |first30=M. |last31=Mittermeier |first31=R. |last32=Murray |first32=N. J. |last33=Possingham |first33=H. |last34=Radachowsky |first34=J. |last35=Saatchi |first35=S. |last36=Samper |first36=C. |last37=Silverman |first37=J. |last38=Shapiro |first38=A. |last39=Strassburg |first39=B. |last40=Stevens |first40=T. |last41=Stokes |first41=E. |last42=Taylor |first42=R. |last43=Tear |first43=T. |last44=Tizard |first44=R. |last45=Venter |first45=O. |last46=Visconti |first46=P. |last47=Wang |first47=S. |last48=Watson |first48=J. E. M.}}

File:Koppen-Geiger_Map_KGZ_present.svg

{{Main|Climate of Kyrgyzstan}}

The climate varies regionally. The low-lying Fergana Valley in the southwest is subtropical and extremely hot in summer, with temperatures reaching {{convert|40|°C}}. The northern foothills are temperate and the Tian Shan varies from dry continental to polar climate, depending on elevation. In the coldest areas, winter temperatures drop below freezing for approximately 40 days, and even some desert areas experience constant snowfall during this period. In the lowlands the temperature ranges from around {{convert|-6|°C|0}} in January to {{convert|24|°C|0}} in July.

{{Excerpt|Climate change in Kyrgyzstan}}

There is one exclave, the tiny village of Barak[http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insight/articles/eav060603.shtml# The exclave of Barak, Kyrgyzstan in Uzbekistan]. Retrieved on 2 May 2009 (population 627), in the Fergana Valley. The village is surrounded by Uzbek territory. It is located on the road from Osh (Kyrgyzstan) to Khodjaabad (Uzbekistan) about {{convert|4|km|0|abbr=off}} north-west from the Kyrgyz–Uzbek border in the direction of Andijan.[http://geosite.jankrogh.com/kyrgyzstan.htm Map showing the location of the Kyrgyz exclave Barak]. Retrieved on 2 May 2009 Barak is administratively part of Kara-Suu District in Kyrgyzstan's Osh Region.

There are four Uzbek enclaves within Kyrgyzstan. Two of them are the towns of Sokh, with an area of {{convert|325|km2|abbr=on}} and a population of 42,800 in 1993, although some estimates go as high as 70,000 (99% are Tajiks, the remainder Uzbeks); and Shakhimardan (also known as Shahimardan, Shohimardon, or Shah-i-Mardan), with an area of {{convert|90|km2|abbr=on}} and a population of 5,100 in 1993; 91% are Uzbeks, and the remaining 9% are Kyrgyz; the other two are the tiny territories of Chong-Kara (roughly {{convert|3|km|0|abbr=on}} long by {{convert|1|km|1|abbr=on}} wide) and Jangy-ayyl (a dot of land barely {{convert|2|-|3|km|0|abbr=on}} across). Chong-Kara is on the Sokh river, between the Uzbek border and the Sokh enclave. Jangy-ayyl is about {{convert|60|km}} east of Batken, in a northward projection of the Kyrgyz-Uzbek border near Khalmion.

There are also two enclaves belonging to Tajikistan on the Kyrgyz-Tajik border: Vorukh, and Lolazor. Vorukh has an area between {{convert|95|-|130|km2|abbr=on}}, and a population estimated between 23,000 and 29,000, 95% Tajiks and 5% Kyrgyz. It is distributed among 17 villages and is located around {{convert|45|km}} south of Isfara on the right bank of the river Karavshin. Lolazor (Western Qalacha or Kayragach) is a small settlement near the Kyrgyz railway station of Kairagach.

{{Main|Government of Kyrgyzstan|Politics of Kyrgyzstan|Foreign relations of Kyrgyzstan}}

File:Садыр Жапаров (05-11-2021).jpg, President of Kyrgyzstan]]

File:White House in Bishkek.jpg building in Bishkek, house of the unicameral parliament. View from the north-west side (facade from the south)]]

File:Kyrgyz women parliamentarians.jpg]]

The 1993 constitution defines the form of government as a democratic unicameral republic. The executive branch includes a president and prime minister. The parliament currently is unicameral. The judicial branch comprises a supreme court, local courts and a chief prosecutor.

In March 2002, in the southern district of Aksy, five people protesting the arbitrary arrest of an opposition politician were shot dead by police, sparking nationwide protests. President Askar Akayev initiated a constitutional reform process which initially included the participation of a broad range of government, civil and social representatives in an open dialogue, leading to a February 2003 referendum marred by voting irregularities.

The amendments to the constitution approved by the referendum resulted in stronger control by the president and weakened the parliament and the Constitutional Court. Parliamentary elections for a new, 75-seat unicameral legislature were held on 27 February and 13 March 2005, but were widely viewed as corrupt. The subsequent protests led to a bloodless coup on 24 March 2005, after which Akayev fled the country with his family and was replaced by acting president Kurmanbek Bakiyev.

On 10 July 2005, acting president Bakiyev won the presidential election in a landslide, with 88.9% of the vote, and was inaugurated on 14 August. However, initial public support for the new administration substantially declined in subsequent months as a result of its apparent inability to solve the corruption problems that had plagued the country since its independence from the Soviet Union, along with the murders of several members of parliament. Large-scale protests against president Bakiyev took place in Bishkek in April and November 2006, with opposition leaders accusing the president of failing to live up to his election promises to reform the country's constitution and transfer many of his presidential powers to parliament.{{Cite news |date=7 November 2006 |title=Clashes erupt in Kyrgyz capital |work=BBC Online |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6124428.stm |access-date=21 November 2007}}

Kyrgyzstan is also a member of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), a league of 57 participating states committed to peace, transparency, and the protection of human rights in Eurasia. As an OSCE participating state, Kyrgyzstan's international commitments are subject to monitoring under the mandate of the U.S. Helsinki Commission.

In December 2008, the state-owned broadcast KTRK announced that it would require prior submission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty programmes, which KTRK are required to retransmit according to a 2005 agreement.{{Cite web |date=17 December 2008 |title=Refworld | Demand for prior approval of RFE/RL programmes called "intolerable" |url=http://www.unhcr.org/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/refworld/rwmain?page=search&docid=494b629e1e&skip=0&query=radio%20liberty%20kyrgyzstan |access-date=17 April 2010 |publisher=United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees}} KTRK had stopped retransmitting RFE/RL programming in October 2008, a week after it failed to broadcast an RFE/RL programme called Inconvenient Questions which covered the October elections, claiming to have lost the missing material. President Bakiyev had criticised this programme in September 2008, while KTRK told RFE/RL that its programming was too negative. Reporters Without Borders, which ranks Kyrgyzstan 111th out of 173 countries on its Press Freedom Index, strongly criticised the decision.

On 3 February 2009, President Bakiyev announced the imminent closure of the Manas Air Base, the only US military base remaining in Central Asia.{{Cite news |date=4 February 2009 |title=Proposal to close the Manas Air Base |work=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7868586.stm |access-date=2 May 2010}} The closure was approved by Parliament on 19 February 2009 by a vote of 78–1 for the government-backed bill.[http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,496167,00.html Kyrgyz Parliament Approves U.S. base closure]. Associated Press. 19 February 2009 However, after much behind-the-scenes negotiation between Kyrgyz, Russian and American diplomats, the decision was reversed in June 2009. The Americans were allowed to remain under a new contract, whereby rent would increase from $17.4 million to $60 million annually.Schwirtz, Michael and Levy, Clifford J. (23 June 2009) [https://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/24/world/asia/24base.html?scp=24&sq=manas&st=cse In Reversal, Kyrgyzstan Won't Close a U.S. Base]. New York Times The US military fully withdrew from Manas Air Base in 2014.

File:SCO summit (2018-06-10) 7.jpg summit in China, June 2018]]

Kyrgyzstan is among the fifty countries in the world with the highest perceived level of corruption: the 2016 Corruption Perception Index for Kyrgyzstan is 28 on a scale of 0 (most corrupt) to 100 (least corrupt).{{Cite web |date=25 January 2017 |title=2016 official table |url=http://www.transparency.org/news/feature/corruption_perceptions_index_2016#table |access-date=29 January 2017 |archive-date=25 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170125040730/http://www.transparency.org/news/feature/corruption_perceptions_index_2016#table |url-status=dead }}

In 2010, another revolution erupted in the country (see: April uprising). President Bakiyev, together with his relatives, including his son Maksim[http://enews.fergananews.com/articles/2788 "Maksim Bakiyev tracked not only in Bishkek, but also in the States?"]. Ferghana Information agency, Moscow. 16 October 2012. and brother Janish—were forced to flee to Kazakhstan and then sought asylum in Belarus. Roza Otunbayeva, who was appointed interim president, announced that she did not intend to run for the Presidential elections in 2011. The election was held in November and won by Prime Minister Almazbek Atambayev, leader of the Social Democratic Party, and Atambayev was sworn in as president on 1 December 2011. Omurbek Babanov was appointed prime minister on the same day and was confirmed on 23 December 2011.{{Cite news |date=December 2011 |title=New Kyrgyz President Atambayev pledges 'new page' |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-15980862}}

In 2015, Kyrgyzstan became a full-fledged member of the Eurasian Economic Union (EES) after it formally abolished customs controls along its border with Kazakhstan, other members are the former Soviet republics Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, and Armenia.

File:2023 Moscow Victory Day Parade 01.jpg and other post-Soviet leaders at the 2023 Moscow Victory Day Parade{{Cite news |date=10 May 2023 |title=Central Asian Presidents Join Putin for May 9 Victory Day Parade |work=The Diplomat |url=https://thediplomat.com/2023/05/central-asian-presidents-join-putin-for-may-9-victory-day-parade/}}]]

In October 2017, Sooronbay Jeenbekov, a former prime minister backed by incumbent Almazbek Atambayev, was elected as the new President of Kyrgyzstan.{{Cite news |date=15 October 2017 |title=Kyrgyzstan election: Sooronbay Jeenbekov wins historic election |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-41625540}} In foreign policy he saw the Kremlin as the country's "main strategic partner" and China as an "important strategic and trade partner", but he intended to seek more collaborative bilateral ties with European partners.{{Cite web |date=November 28, 2017 |title=New Kyrgyz President Vows Balanced Foreign Policy With Russia As Main 'Strategic Partner' |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/kyrgyzstan-jeenbekov-vows-balanced-foreign-policy-russia-strategic-partner/28883735.html |access-date=2022-12-10 |website=Radio Free Europe - Radio Liberty}} On 7 August 2019, the Special Forces of Kyrgyzstan launched an operation against the residence of former President Almazbek Atambayev, supposedly based on charges of corruption made against him.{{Cite web |last=Putz |first=Catherine |date=8 August 2019 |title=Former Kyrgyz President Detained After Second Raid |url=https://thediplomat.com/2019/08/former-kyrgyz-president-detained-after-second-raid/ |website=The Diplomat}}{{Cite news |last=Leonid |first=Bershidsky |date=8 August 2019 |title=A Bloody Raid Shows Why Post-Soviet Leaders Hate to Hand Off Power |work=The Moscow Times |url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2019/08/08/a-bloody-raid-shows-why-post-soviet-leaders-hate-to-hand-off-power-a66777}} In a meeting of the Security Council, President Jeenbekov accused Atambayev of violating the constitution.{{Cite news |date=8 August 2019 |title=Kyrgyzstan's former president detained after violent clashes |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/08/kyrgyzstan-ex-president-almazbek-atambayev}} In October 2020, President Sooronbay Jeenbekov resigned after protests caused by irregularities in parliamentary elections on 4 October 2020.{{Cite news |date=15 October 2020 |title=Kyrgyzstan election: President Jeenbekov resigns after protests |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-54553173}}

In January 2021, Sadyr Japarov was elected as the new president after winning the presidential election by a landslide.{{Cite news |date=11 January 2021 |title=Kyrgyzstan election: Sadyr Japarov wins presidency with landslide |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-55613552}}

In April 2021, the majority of voters approved in the constitutional referendum a new constitution that will give new powers to the president, significantly strengthening the power of the presidency.{{Cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/4/11/kyrgyzstan-voters-back-presidential-rule-in-referendum|title=Kyrgyzstan voters back presidential rule in referendum|website=www.aljazeera.com}}

{{Main|Regions of Kyrgyzstan|Districts of Kyrgyzstan}}

Kyrgyzstan is divided into seven regions ({{langx|ky|облустар}}). The regions are subdivided into 44 districts ({{langx|ky|аймактар}}, {{lang|ky-latn|aymaqtar}};). The districts are further subdivided into rural districts at the lowest level of administration, which include all rural settlements (aýyl ökmötü) and villages without an associated municipal government.

{{anchor|special status cities}}The cities of Bishkek and Osh have status "state importance" and do not belong to any region.

Each region is headed by an akim (regional governor) appointed by the president. District akims are appointed by regional akims.

{{Kyrgyzstan Regions Image Map}}

The regions, and independent cities, are as follows, with subdivisions:

1. City of Bishkek
2. Lenin District
3. Oktyabr District
4. Birinchi May District
5. Sverdlov District
6. Batken Region
7. Batken District
8. Kadamjay District
9. Leylek District
10. Chüy Region
11. Alamüdün District
12. Chüy District
13. Jayyl District
14. Kemin District
15. Moskva District
16. Panfilov District
17. Sokuluk District
18. Ysyk-Ata District
19. Jalal-Abad Region
20. Aksy District
21. Ala-Buka District
22. Bazar-Korgon District
23. Chatkal District
24. Nooken District
25. Suzak District
26. Toguz-Toro District
27. Toktogul District
28. Naryn Region
29. Ak-Talaa District
30. At-Bashy District
31. Jumgal District
32. Kochkor District
33. Naryn District
34. Osh Region
35. Alay District
36. Aravan District
37. Chong-Alay District
38. Kara-Kulja District
39. Kara-Suu District
40. Nookat District
41. Özgön District
42. Talas Region
43. Bakay-Ata District
44. Kara-Buura District
45. Manas District
46. Talas District
47. Issyk-Kul Region
48. Ak-Suu District
49. Issyk-Kul District
50. Jeti-Ögüz District
51. Tong District
52. Tüp District
53. City of Osh

{{Main|Armed Forces of the Republic of Kyrgyzstan}}

File:Multinational forces participate in Regional Cooperation 12 Exercise -06.JPG

The armed forces of Kyrgyzstan were formed after the collapse of the Soviet Union and consist of the Land Forces, Air Forces, internal troops, National Guard, and the border guard. The military works with the US Armed Forces, which leased a facility named the Transit Center at Manas at Manas International Airport near Bishkek until June 2014.{{Cite web |last=Vandiver |first=John |date=5 February 2014 |title=First troops move through new US transit point in Romania |url=http://www.stripes.com/news/first-troops-move-through-new-us-transit-point-in-romania-1.265698 |access-date=5 February 2014 |website=www.stripes.com |publisher=Stars and Stripes}} In recent years, the armed forces have begun developing better relations with Russia including signing modernization deals worth $1.1bn and participating in more exercises with Russian troops.{{Cite web |last=Ott, Stephanie |date=18 September 2014 |title=Russia tightens control over Kyrgyzstan |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/sep/18/russia-tightens-control-over-kyrgyzstan |website=The Guardian}} The Agency of National Security works with the military and serves similar purposes to its Soviet predecessor, the KGB. It oversees an elite counterterrorism special forces unit known as "Alfa", the same name used by other former Soviet countries, including Russia and Uzbekistan. The police are commanded by the Ministry of the Interior Affairs, along with the border guard.{{Cite web |title=Kyrgyzstan {{!}} OSCE POLIS |url=https://polis.osce.org/country-profiles/kyrgyzstan |access-date=2021-01-05 |website=polis.osce.org}}

{{main|Human rights in Kyrgyzstan}}

Kyrgyzstan is classified as a "hybrid regime" in the Democracy Index, ranking 107th out of 167 for 2020.{{Cite news |date=2 February 2021 |title=Global democracy has a very bad year |newspaper=The Economist |url=https://www.economist.com/graphic-detail/2021/02/02/global-democracy-has-a-very-bad-year}} Kyrgyzstan was also ranked "not free" in the 2021 Freedom in the World report with a score of 28/100. In 2020, it was ranked "partly free" with a score of 39/100.{{Cite web |title=Kyrgyzstan |url=https://freedomhouse.org/country/kyrgyzstan/freedom-world/2021 |website=Freedom House}}

After the installment of a more democratic government, many human rights violations still take place. In a move that alarmed human-rights groups, dozens of prominent Uzbek religious and community leaders were arrested by security forces following the 2010 South Kyrgyzstan riots, including journalist and human-rights activist Azimzhan Askarov.{{Cite news |last=Kramer, Andrew E. |date=1 July 2010 |title=Uzbeks Accused of Inciting Violence in Kyrgyzstan |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/02/world/asia/02kyrgyzstan.html?scp=1&sq=askarov&st=cse |access-date=16 April 2011}} A law banning women under the age of 23 from traveling abroad without a parent or guardian, with the purpose of "increased morality and preservation of the gene pool" passed in the Kyrgyz parliament in June 2013.[http://www.eurasianet.org/node/67113 Kyrgyzstan Passes Controversial Girl Travel Ban]. EurasiaNet.org (13 June 2013). Retrieved on 2 October 2014. American diplomats expressed concern in October 2014 when Kyrgyzstan lawmakers passed a law that imposes jail terms on gay-rights activists and others, including journalists, who create "a positive attitude toward non-traditional sexual relations."{{Cite news |title=Kyrgyzstan moves towards adoption of Russia's anti-gay law |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/oct/16/kyrgyzstan-moves-towards-adoption-russia-anti-gay-law |access-date=17 October 2014}}

Kyrgyzstani activist and journalist Azimzhan Askarov was sentenced to life in prison in 2010.{{Cite news |date=16 September 2010 |title=Human rights groups condemn Kyrgyzstan activist jailing |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-11326361}} On 24 January 2017, a Kyrgyz court has reinstated a sentence of life imprisonment for Askarov.{{Cite web |date=24 January 2017 |title=Kyrgyz court confirms life sentence for journalist |url=https://www.foxnews.com/world/kyrgyz-court-confirms-life-sentence-for-journalist |publisher=Fox News}}

In February 2024, the independent investigative media organization Kloop was ordered shut down by the Kyrgyz courts. This move drew criticism within the country and abroad.{{cite news |last1=Pannier |first1=Bruce |title=Kloop's Closure: A Bad Omen For Independent Kyrgyz Media? |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/majlis-podcast-kyrgyzstan-kloop-closure/32824634.html |access-date=18 February 2024 |work=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |date=18 Feb 2024}}{{cite web |title=Independent Media Under Attack in Kyrgyzstan as Court Shuts Down OCCRP Member Center Kloop Media |url=https://www.occrp.org/en/40-press-releases/presss-releases/18472-independent-media-under-attack-in-kyrgyzstan-as-court-shuts-down-occrp-member-center-kloop-media |website=OCCRP |publisher=Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project |access-date=18 February 2024}}

{{Main|Economy of Kyrgyzstan}}

The National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic serves as the central bank of Kyrgyzstan.{{cite web | url=https://www.centralbanking.com/central-banks/2480802/national-bank-of-the-kyrgyz-republic | title=National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic - Central Banking | date=12 August 2015 }}

Kyrgyzstan was the ninth poorest country in the former Soviet Union, and is today the second poorest country in Central Asia after Tajikistan. 22.4% of the country's population lives below the poverty line.{{Cite news |date=14 June 2019 |title=Нацстатком: 22% кыргызстанцев живут за чертой бедности |language=ru |trans-title=National Statistical Committee: 22% of Kyrgyz live below the poverty line |work=Радио Азаттык [Radio Azattyk] |url=https://rus.azattyk.org/a/29998818.html/}}

Despite the backing of major Western lenders, including the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank, Kyrgyzstan has had economic difficulties following independence. Initially, these were a result of the breakup of the Soviet trade bloc and resulting loss of markets, which impeded the republic's transition to a demand economy.

The government has reduced expenditures, ended most price subsidies and introduced a value-added tax. Overall, the government appears committed to the transition to a market economy. Through economic stabilization and reform, the government seeks to establish a pattern of long-term consistent growth. Reforms led to Kyrgyzstan's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) on 20 December 1998.

The Kyrgyz economy was severely affected by the collapse of the Soviet Union and the resulting loss of its vast market. In 1990, some 98% of Kyrgyz exports went to other parts of the Soviet Union. Thus, the nation's economic performance in the early 1990s was worse than any other former Soviet republic except war-torn Armenia, Azerbaijan and Tajikistan, as factories and state farms collapsed with the disappearance of their traditional markets in the former Soviet Union. While economic performance has improved considerably in the last few years, and particularly since 1998, difficulties remain in securing adequate fiscal revenues and providing an adequate social safety net. Remittances of around 800,000 Kyrgyz migrants working in Russia contribute to the economy however in recent years, remittances have decreased.{{Cite news |date=8 April 2010 |title=Kyrgyz unrest plays into regional rivalry |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6373KT20100408}}{{Cite news |date=2 April 2009 |title=Kyrgyzstan: Returning Labor Migrants are a Cause for Concern |publisher=EurasiaNet.org |url=http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/news/articles/eav040309e.shtml |url-status=dead |access-date=16 June 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511104050/http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/news/articles/eav040309e.shtml |archive-date=11 May 2011}}

Agriculture is an important sector of the economy in Kyrgyzstan (see agriculture in Kyrgyzstan). By the early 1990s, the private agricultural sector provided between one-third and one-half of some harvests. In 2002, agriculture accounted for 35.6% of GDP and about half of employment. Kyrgyzstan's terrain is mountainous, which accommodates livestock raising, the largest agricultural activity, so the resulting wool, meat and dairy products are major commodities. Main crops include wheat, sugar beets, potatoes, cotton, tobacco, vegetables, and fruit. As the prices of imported agrichemicals and petroleum are so high, much farming is being done by hand and by horse, as it was generations ago. Agricultural processing is a key component of the industrial economy as well as one of the most attractive sectors for foreign investment.

Kyrgyzstan is rich in mineral resources but has negligible petroleum and natural gas reserves; it imports petroleum and gas. Among its mineral reserves are substantial deposits of coal, gold, uranium, antimony, and other valuable metals. Metallurgy is an important industry, and the government hopes to attract foreign investment in this field. The government has actively encouraged foreign involvement in extracting and processing gold from the Kumtor Gold Mine and other regions. The country's plentiful water resources and mountainous terrain enable it to produce and export large quantities of hydroelectric energy.

The principal exports are nonferrous metals and minerals, woollen goods and other agricultural products, electric energy and certain engineering goods. Imports include petroleum and natural gas, ferrous metals, chemicals, most machinery, wood and paper products, some foods and some construction materials. Its leading trade partners include Germany, Russia, China, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan. After Beijing launched the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in 2013, China has expanded its economic presence and initiated a number of sizable infrastructure projects in Kyrgyzstan.Vakulchuk, Roman and Indra Overland (2019) “[https://www.researchgate.net/publication/329310641 China's Belt and Road Initiative through the Lens of Central Asia]”, in Fanny M. Cheung and Ying-yi Hong (eds) Regional Connection under the Belt and Road Initiative. The Prospects for Economic and Financial Cooperation. London: Routledge, pp. 115–133.

In regards to telecommunication infrastructure, Kyrgyz Republic ranks last in Central Asia in the World Economic Forum's Network Readiness Index (NRI)—an indicator for determining the development level of a country's information and communication technologies. Kyrgyz Republic ranked number 118 overall in the 2014 NRI ranking, unchanged from 2013 (see Networked Readiness Index).

The COVID-19 pandemic is expected to have a significant negative impact on the Kyrgyz economy that is reliant on services, remittances and natural resources. As a result, in order to mitigate the economic shock and preserve much of the development progress achieved in recent years the World Bank will provide support by financing several projects in the country.[https://akipress.com/news:646448:Kyrgyzstan_to_mitigate_pandemic-caused_economic_shocks_for_businesses,_vulnerable_people_and_communities_with_World_Bank_support/ Kyrgyzstan to mitigate pandemic-caused economic shocks for businesses, vulnerable people and communities with World Bank support], AKIpress (1 August 2020)

File:Issyk-Kulmeer.jpg]]

File:Osh Bazar.jpg]]

{{Main|Tourism in Kyrgyzstan}}

One of the most popular tourist destination points in Kyrgyzstan is the lake Issyk-Kul. Numerous hotels, resorts and boarding houses are located along its northern shore. The most popular beach zones are in the city of Cholpon-Ata and the settlements nearby, such as Kara-Oi (Dolinka), Bosteri and Korumdy. The number of tourists visiting the lake was more than a million a year in 2006 and 2007. However, due to the economic and political instability in the region, the number has declined in recent years.{{Cite web |title=Issyk-Kul: Chasing short-term profit |url=http://www.neweurasia.net/business-and-economics/issyk-kul-chasing-short-term-profit/ |access-date=3 May 2011 |publisher=New Eurasia}}

{{main|Science and technology in Kyrgyzstan}}

The headquarters of the Kyrgyz Academy of Sciences is located in Bishkek, where several research institutes are located. Kyrgyz researchers are developing useful technologies based on natural products, such as heavy metal remediation for purifying waste water.{{Cite journal |last1=Yurishcheva |first1=A.A. |last2=Kydralieva |first2=K.A. |last3=Zaripova |first3=A.A. |last4=Dzhardimalieva |first4=G.I. |last5=Pomogaylo |first5=A.D. |last6=Jorobekova |first6=S.J. |year=2013 |title=Sorption of Pb²⁺ by magnetite coated with humic acids |journal=J. Biol. Phys. Chem. |volume=13 |issue=2 |pages=61–68 |doi=10.4024/36FR12A.jbpc.13.02}} Kyrgyzstan was ranked 99th in the Global Innovation Index in 2024.{{Cite book |author=World Intellectual Property Organization |year=2024 |title=Global Innovation Index 2024: Unlocking the Promise of Social Entrepreneurship |url=https://www.wipo.int/web-publications/global-innovation-index-2024/en/ |access-date=2024-10-06 |page=18 |publisher=World Intellectual Property Organization |language=en |doi=10.34667/tind.50062 |isbn=978-92-805-3681-2}}

File:Pyramide Kirghizistan.PNG showing Kyrgyzstan's age distribution (2005)]]

File:Население Киргизии за 2015.png

{{Main|Demographics of Kyrgyzstan}}

Kyrgyzstan's population is estimated at 6,586,600 in August 2020.{{Cite web |title=Основные итоги естественного движения населения январе-августе 2020г. |url=https://www.stat.gov.kg/ru/statistics/naselenie/ |website=National Statistics Committee of the Kyrgyz Republic}} Of those, 34.4% are under the age of 15 and 6.2% are over 65. The country is rural: only about one-third of the population live in urban areas. The average population density is 25 people per km².

In the 2024 Global Hunger Index (GHI), Kyrgyzstan has a score of 6.8, ranking 36th among 127 countries with sufficient data. The hunger level is classified as low.{{Cite web |title=Global Hunger Index Scores by 2024 GHI Rank |url=https://www.globalhungerindex.org/ranking.html |access-date=2024-12-20 |website=Global Hunger Index (GHI) - peer-reviewed annual publication designed to comprehensively measure and track hunger at the global, regional, and country levels |language=en}}

The nation's largest ethnic group are the Kyrgyz, a Turkic people, who comprise 77.8% of the population. Other ethnic groups include the Russians (3.8%) concentrated in the north and the Uzbeks (14.2%) living in the south. Small but noticeable minorities include the Dungans (1.0%), Tajiks (0.9%), Uyghurs (0.5%), Kazakhs (0.4%), and other smaller ethnic minorities.{{Cite web |title=Statistics of the Kyrgyz Republic |url=https://www.stat.gov.kg/ru/publications/kratkij-statisticheskij-spravochnik-kyrgyzstan/ |website=National Statistics Committee of the Kyrgyz Republic}} The country has over 80 ethnic groups.{{Cite web |date=14 June 2010 |title=10 Things You Need To Know About The Ethnic Unrest In Kyrgyzstan |url=http://www.rferl.org/content/10_Things_You_Need_To_Know_About_The_Ethnic_Unrest_In_Kyrgyzstan/2071323.html |publisher=RFERL}}

The Kyrgyz have historically been semi-nomadic herders, living in round tents called yurts and tending sheep, horses and yaks. This nomadic tradition continues to function seasonally (see transhumance) as herding families return to the high mountain pasture (or jailoo) in the summer. The sedentary Uzbeks and Tajiks traditionally have farmed lower-lying irrigated land in the Fergana valley."[http://countrystudies.us/kyrgyzstan/13.htm Kyrgyzstan – population]". Library of Congress Country Studies. {{PD-notice}}

Kyrgyzstan has undergone a pronounced change in its ethnic composition since independence.{{Cite web |date=19 April 2005 |title=KYRGYZSTAN: Focus on post-Akayev Russian exodus |url=http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?reportid=28550 |publisher=IRIN Asia}}{{Cite journal |last=Spoorenberg |first=Thomas |year=2013 |title=Fertility changes in Central Asia since 1980 |journal=Asian Population Studies |volume=9 |issue=1 |pages=50–77 |doi=10.1080/17441730.2012.752238 |s2cid=154532617}}{{Cite journal |last=Spoorenberg |first=Thomas |year=2015 |title=Explaining recent fertility increase in Central Asia |journal=Asian Population Studies |volume=11 |issue=2 |pages=115–133 |doi=10.1080/17441730.2015.1027275 |s2cid=153924060}} The percentage of ethnic Kyrgyz has increased from around 50% in 1979 to over 70% in 2013, while the percentage of ethnic groups, such as Russians, Ukrainians, Germans and Tatars dropped from 35% to about 7%. Since 1991, a large number of Germans, who in 1989 numbered 101,000 persons, have emigrated to Germany.{{Cite book |last1=Kokaisl, Petr |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XRXVbGwPgqIC&pg=PA132 |title=The Kyrgyz – Children of Manas. Кыргыздар – Манастын балдары |last2=Kokaislova, Pavla |publisher=NOSTALGIE Praha |year=2009 |isbn=978-80-254-6365-9 |page=132}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right;"

|+ Population of Kyrgyzstan according to ethnic group 1926–2024

! colspan="2" |

! Kyrgyz

! Uzbeks

! Russians

! Ukrainians

|-

! rowspan="2" | 1926 census{{Cite web |title=Всесоюзная перепись населения 1926 года. Национальный состав населения по регионам РСФСР |trans-title=All-Union Census of 1926. The national composition of the population in the republics of the USSR |url=http://demoscope.ru/weekly/ssp/rus_nac_26.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160321203605/http://demoscope.ru/weekly/ssp/rus_nac_26.php |archive-date=21 March 2016 |access-date=14 February 2016 |website=Демоскоп Weekly |language=ru}}

! Number

| 661,171

| 110,463

| 116,436

| 64,128

|-

! %

| {{percentage bar|66.6}}

| {{percentage bar|11.1}}

| {{percentage bar|11.7}}

| {{percentage bar|6.5}}

|-

! rowspan="2" | 1959 census{{Cite web |title=Всесоюзная перепись населения 1959 года. Национальный состав населения по регионам СССР |trans-title=All-Union Census of 1959. The national composition of the population in the republics of the USSR |url=http://demoscope.ru/weekly/ssp/sng_nac_59.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100316172652/http://demoscope.ru/weekly/ssp/sng_nac_59.php |archive-date=16 March 2010 |access-date=14 February 2016 |website=Демоскоп Weekly |language=ru}}

! Number

| 836,831

| 218,640

| 623,562

| 137,031

|-

! %

| {{percentage bar|40.5}}

| {{percentage bar|10.6}}

| {{percentage bar|30.2}}

| {{percentage bar|6.6}}

|-

! rowspan="2" | 1989 census{{Cite web |title=Всесоюзная перепись населения 1989 года. Национальный состав населения по регионам СССР |trans-title=All-Union Census of 1989. The national composition of the population in the republics of the USSR |url=http://demoscope.ru/weekly/ssp/sng_nac_89.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100316172713/http://demoscope.ru/weekly/ssp/sng_nac_89.php |archive-date=16 March 2010 |access-date=14 February 2016 |website=Демоскоп Weekly |language=ru}}

! Number

| 2,229,663

| 550,096

| 916,558

| 108,027

|-

! %

| {{percentage bar|52.4}}

| {{percentage bar|12.9}}

| {{percentage bar|21.5}}

| {{percentage bar|2.5}}

|-

! rowspan="2" | 1999 census{{Cite web |title=5.01.00.03 Национальный состав населения |trans-title=5.01.00.03 National composition of the population |url=http://www.stat.kg/stat.files/din.files/census/5010003.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120219092904/http://www.stat.kg/stat.files/din.files/census/5010003.pdf |archive-date=19 February 2012 |access-date=25 March 2013 |language=ru}}

! Number

| 3,128,147

| 664,950

| 603,201

| 50,442

|-

! %

| {{percentage bar|64.9}}

| {{percentage bar|13.8}}

| {{percentage bar|12.5}}

| {{percentage bar|1.0}}

|-

! rowspan="2" | 2009 censushttps://stat.gov.kg/media/publicationarchive/0f717d2d-5078-4e18-8b56-fb2a530462a2.pdf

! Number

| 3,804,788

| 768,405

| 419,583

| 21,924

|-

! %

| {{percentage bar|70.9}}

| {{percentage bar|14.3}}

| {{percentage bar|7.8}}

| {{percentage bar|0.4}}

|-

! rowspan="2" | 2022 census

! Number

| 5,379,020

| 986,881

| 282,777

| 3,875

|-

! %

| {{percentage bar|77.6}}

| {{percentage bar|14.2}}

| {{percentage bar|4.1}}

|{{percentage bar|0.1}}

|-

! rowspan="2" | 2024 estimate

! Number

| 5,570,910

| 1,017,658

| 274,940

| 2,783

|-

! %

| {{percentage bar|77.8}}

| {{percentage bar|14.2}}

| {{percentage bar|3.8}}

|{{percentage bar|0.0}}

|}

File:At the On-Archa village in Naryn district. Kyrgyzstan. 04.10.2012.jpg]]

{{main|Languages of Kyrgyzstan}}

File:Kyrgyz traditionalscript 2.jpg in use from the 13th century to 1920 ]]

Kyrgyz is the state language of Kyrgyzstan. Russian is additionally an official language.

Kyrgyzstan is one of five former Soviet republics to have Russian as a de jure official language, along with Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Tajikistan.{{Cite web |title=Constitution of the Republic of Tajikistan |url=http://www.unesco.org/education/edurights/media/docs/ae8c0f7576f3d9f63ff2055592a9cb6b7f95227a.pdf |access-date=8 April 2021 |publisher=UNESCO}} After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Kyrgyz was adopted as the state language of Kyrgyzstan in 1991. Kyrgyzstan adopted Russian as an official language in 2000.{{Cite web|url=https://cbd.minjust.gov.kg/443/edition/427547/ru|title=Закон КР от 29 мая 2000 года № 52 Об официальном языке Кыргызской Республики|website=Централизованный банк данных правовой информации Кыргызской Республики}} The languages have different legal statuses.

Kyrgyz is a Turkic language of the Kipchak branch, closely related to Kazakh, Karakalpak, and Nogay Tatar. It was written in the Arabic alphabet until the twentieth century. The Latin script was introduced and adopted on Stalin's orders in 1928, and was subsequently replaced by Cyrillic script in 1941.{{Cite news |title=Kyrgyzstan: Latin (alphabet) fever takes hold {{!}} Eurasianet |language=en |work=Eurasianet |url=https://eurasianet.org/kyrgyzstan-latin-alphabet-fever-takes-hold |access-date=2021-01-05}} A reformed Perso-Arabic alphabet, created by the Kyrgyz intellectual and scientist Kasym Tynystanov is the official script of the Kyrgyz language in the People's Republic of China.{{Cite web |title=Kyrgyz |url=https://celcar.indiana.edu/materials/language-portal/kyrgyz/index.html |access-date=2021-09-18 |website=Center for Languages of the Central Asian Region |language=en-US}} As a result of the pending language reform in neighboring Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan will be the only independent Turkic-speaking country in a few years that exclusively uses the Cyrillic alphabet.{{Cite web |date=4 December 2019 |title='Only Kyrgyzstan in Central Asia insists on Cyrillic' — Tokayev |url=https://www.for.kg/news-626083-en.html |access-date=26 December 2021 |website=FOR.kg}} In April 2023, Russia suspended dairy exports to Kyrgyzstan after the chairman of Kyrgyzstan's National Commission for the State Language and Language Policies, Kanybek Osmonaliev, proposed to change the official script from Cyrillic to Latin to bring the country in line with other Turkic-speaking nations. Osmonaliev was reprimanded by President Sadyr Japarov who then clarified that Kyrgyzstan had no plans to replace the Cyrillic alphabet.[https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-kyrgyzstan-dairy-products-banned-cyrillic-latin/32373802.html Russia Suspends Dairy Products From Kyrgyzstan After Calls In Bishkek To Drop Cyrillic Script]. Radio Free Europe, 21 April 2023. Retrieved 22 June 2023

Russian TV media enjoy enormous popularity in Kyrgyzstan, especially in the deeply Russified city of Bishkek and the Chüy Region, despite the percentage of Russians today being a fraction of that in 1989. According to World Values Survey in 2020, Russian was the language spoken at home for 55.6% of the population of Bishkek, and Kyrgyz was the second with 43.6%. However, the countrywide figure for the Russian was only 16.3%, whereas Kyrgyz was the home language of 70.9%. Uzbek language was the third most spoken home language with 10.7% according to the same survey.{{Cite web |title=WVS Database |url=https://www.worldvaluessurvey.org/WVSOnline.jsp |access-date=2024-09-24 |website=www.worldvaluessurvey.org}} Russian media outlets have an enormous influence on public opinion in Kyrgyzstan, especially in areas such as human rights and international political developments.{{Cite news |title=Major Russian TV Channel Sidelined in Kyrgyzstan |work=Jamestown |url=https://jamestown.org/program/major-russian-tv-channel-sidelined-in-kyrgyzstan/}}

Many business and political affairs are carried out in Russian. Until recently, Kyrgyz remained a language spoken at home and was rarely used during meetings or other events. However, most parliamentary meetings today are conducted in Kyrgyz, with simultaneous interpretation available for those not speaking Kyrgyz. According to an RFE/RL article from 2014, despite the attempts to raise the status of Kyrgyz, thousands of Kyrgyz are russifying their names every year (around 40,000), mostly for career prospects, and to remove themselves from the Russian blacklists (people who are to be deported upon entrance) by registering different names. There are also many Russian-language medium schools that are supported from the Russian foundations via the embassy of Russia in Bishkek which are better funded than the Kyrgyz language medium schools. Due to this, many ethnic Kyrgyz go to Russian language medium schools. Many high school students change their surnames annually; for example, 800 such changes were recorded in high school students in the region of Naryn.{{Cite news |last1=Aidarov |first1=Jenish |last2=Recknagel |first2=Charles |date=10 December 2014 |title=In Kyrgyzstan, A New Interest In Russified Names |language=en |work=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/kyrgyzstan-russified-names-central-asian-migrants/26735415.html |access-date=2022-08-01}}

{{Main|List of cities in Kyrgyzstan}}

{{Largest cities

| country = Kyrgyzstan

| stat_ref = [http://www.geonames.org/KG/largest-cities-in-kyrgyzstan.html geonames.org]

| list_by_pop =

| div_name = Region

| div_link =

|city_1 = Bishkek

|div_1 = Bishkek

|pop_1 = 1,074,075

|img_1 = Бишкек, проспект Чуй и Киевская улица сверху.jpg

|city_2 = Osh

|div_2 = Osh Region

|pop_2 = 322,164

|img_2 = View of Osh from Sulayman Mountain 4.jpg

|city_3 = Jalal-Abad

|div_3 = Jalal-Abad Region

|pop_3 = 123,239

|img_3 = Jalalabad 1.jpg

|city_4 = Karakol

|div_4 = Issyk-Kul Region

|pop_4 = 84,351

|img_4 = Karakol cathedral.jpg

|city_5 = Tokmok

|div_5 = Chüy Region

|pop_5 = 71,443

|city_6 = Özgön

|div_6 = Osh Region

|pop_6 = 62,802

|city_7 = Kara-Balta

|div_7 = Chüy Region

|pop_7 = 48,278

|city_8 = Balykchy

|div_8 = Issyk-Kul Region

|pop_8 = 42,875

|city_9 = Naryn

|div_9 = Naryn Region

|pop_9 = 41,178

|city_10 = Talas, Kyrgyzstan{{!}}Talas

|div_10 = Talas Region

|pop_10 = 40,308

}}

{{Bar box

| title=Religion in Kyrgyzstan (2017 estimate)|Religion{{cite web|url=https://2001-2009.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2001/5598.htm |title=Kyrgyzstan |publisher=State.gov |accessdate=17 April 2010}}

| titlebar=#ddd

| float=right

| bars=

{{Bar percent|Islam|green|90}}

{{Bar percent|Christianity|blue|7}}

{{Bar percent|other|grey|3}}

}}

{{Main|Religion in Kyrgyzstan}}

File:Karakol-Dungan-Mosque-Exterior-1.jpg]]

Islam is the dominant religion of Kyrgyzstan and most Kyrgyz. The CIA World Factbook estimates that as of 2017, 90% of the population is Muslim, with the majority being Sunni; 7% are Christian, including 3% Russian Orthodoxy, and the remainder are other religions.{{Cite web |date=5 November 2021 |title=Central Asia:: KYRGYZSTAN |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/kyrgyzstan/ |publisher=CIA The World Factbook}} A 2009 Pew Research Center report indicated 86.3% of Kyrgyzstan's population adhering to Islam.{{Cite web |date=October 2009 |title=MAPPING THE GLOBAL MUSLIM POPULATION – A Report on the Size and Distribution of the World's Muslim Population |url=http://pewforum.org/uploadedfiles/Topics/Demographics/Muslimpopulation.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100328015651/http://pewforum.org/uploadedfiles/Topics/Demographics/Muslimpopulation.pdf |archive-date=28 March 2010 |publisher=Pew Research Center}} The great majority of Muslims are Sunni, adhering to the Hanafi school of thought,{{Cite journal |title=The World's Muslims: Unity and Diversity |date=9 August 2012 |publisher=Pew Research Center |website=Pew Forum on Religious & Public life}} although a 2012 Pew survey report showed that only 23% of respondents to a questionnaire chose to identify themselves as Sunni, with 64% volunteering that they were "just a Muslim".{{Cite web |title=The World's Muslims: Unity and Diversity - Topline Survey Results |url=https://www.pewresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2012/08/the-worlds-muslims-appendix-d-topline.pdf |website=Pew Research Center's Forum on Religion & Public Life}} There are a few Ahmadiyya Muslims, though unrecognized by the country.[https://www.state.gov/reports/2022-report-on-international-religious-freedom/Kyrgyzstan/ US State Dept 2022 report]

During Soviet times, state atheism was encouraged. Today, however, Kyrgyzstan is a secular state, although Islam has exerted a growing influence in politics.{{Cite web |title=ISN Security Watch – Islam exerts growing influence on Kyrgyz politics |url=http://www.isn.ethz.ch/news/sw/details.cfm?ID=18147 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080316223224/http://www.isn.ethz.ch/news/sw/details.cfm?ID=18147 |archive-date=16 March 2008 |access-date=2 May 2010 |publisher=Isn.ethz.ch}} For instance, there has been an attempt to arrange for officials to travel on hajj (the pilgrimage to Mecca) under a tax-free arrangement.

While Islam in Kyrgyzstan is more of a cultural background than a devout daily practice for many, public figures have expressed support for restoring religious values. For example, human rights ombudsman Tursunbay Bakir-Ulu noted, "In this era of independence, it is not surprising that there has been a return to spiritual roots not only in Kyrgyzstan, but also in other post-communist republics. It would be immoral to develop a market-based society without an ethical dimension."

File:Bishkek church 01.jpg]]

Additionally, Bermet Akayeva, the daughter of Askar Akayev, the former President of Kyrgyzstan, stated during a July 2007 interview that Islam is increasingly taking root across the nation.{{Cite web |date=17 July 2007 |title=EurasiaNet Civil Society – Kyrgyzstan: Time to Ponder a Federal System – Ex-President's Daughter |url=http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insight/articles/eav071707a.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101106225225/http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insight/articles/eav071707a.shtml |archive-date=6 November 2010 |access-date=2 May 2010 |publisher=Eurasianet.org}} She emphasized that many mosques have recently been built and that the Kyrgyz are increasingly devoting themselves to Islam, which she noted was "not a bad thing in itself. It keeps our society more moral, cleaner." There is a contemporary Sufi order present which adheres to a somewhat different form of Islam than the orthodox Islam.{{Cite web |title=Religion and expressive culture – Kyrgyz |url=http://www.everyculture.com/Russia-Eurasia-China/Kyrgyz-Religion-and-Expressive-Culture.html |access-date=2 May 2010 |publisher=Everyculture.com}}

File:Mosque under construction in Kyrgyzstan.jpg

The other faiths practiced in Kyrgyzstan include Russian Orthodox and Ukrainian Orthodox versions of Christianity, practiced primarily by Russians and Ukrainians respectively. A community of 5,000 to 10,000 Jehovah's Witnesses gather in both Kyrgyz and Russian-speaking congregations, as well as some Chinese- and Turkish-speaking groups.{{Cite web |date=21 December 2015 |title=2015 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses |url=http://www.jw.org/en/publications/books/?contentLanguageFilter=en&pubFilter=yb15&sortBy=1 |publisher=Watchtower Bible & Tract Society |page=182}}{{Cite web |date=21 December 2015 |title=Congregation Meetings of Jehovah's Witnesses |url=http://www.jw.org/en/jehovahs-witnesses/meetings/ |publisher=Watchtower Bible & Tract Society}} A small minority of ethnic Germans are also Christian, mostly Lutheran and Anabaptist as well as a Roman Catholic community of approximately 600.{{Cite web |date=2 October 2008 |title=Kirguistán la Iglesia renace con 600 católicos |url=http://www.zenit.org/article-28637?l=spanish |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081007173444/http://www.zenit.org/article-28637?l=spanish |archive-date=7 October 2008 |publisher=ZENIT}}{{Cite web |date=4 March 2010 |title=Religion in Kyrgyzstan |url=http://asia.msu.edu/centralasia/Kyrgyzstan/religion.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070702212941/http://asia.msu.edu/centralasia/Kyrgyzstan/religion.html |archive-date=2 July 2007 |access-date=2 May 2010 |publisher=Asia.msu.edu}}

As part of the historic Kyrgyzstan German minority, there were around 200 Mennonites in Kyrgyzstan in 2022.{{Cite web |title=Mennonite World Conference World Map 2022 |url=https://mwc-cmm.org/sites/default/files/resource-uploads/mwc_world_map_2022.pdf |access-date=August 12, 2024 |website=MWC-CMM}} One Mennonite community continues in the settlement of Rot-Front.{{Cite web |date=May 12, 2019 |title=A Mennonite Town in Muslim Central Asia Holds On Against the Odds |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/12/world/asia/kyrgyzstan-mennonites.html |access-date=August 12, 2024 |website=New York Times}}

A few Animistic traditions survive, as do influences from Buddhism such as the tying of prayer flags onto sacred trees, though some view this practice rooted within Sufi Islam.Shaikh Muhammad Bin Jamil Zeno, Muhammad Bin Jamil Zeno, 2006, pg. 264 There is also a small number of Bukharian Jews living in Kyrgyzstan, but during the collapse of the Soviet Union most fled to other countries, mainly the United States and Israel. In addition, there is a small community of Ashkenazi Jews, who fled to the country from eastern Europe during the Second World War.{{Cite news |date=3 February 2015 |title=Jewish Bishkek: A Brief History and Guide |language=en-US |url=http://students.sras.org/jewish-bishkek-a-brief-history-and-guide/ |url-status=dead |access-date=17 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171017093905/http://students.sras.org/jewish-bishkek-a-brief-history-and-guide/ |archive-date=17 October 2017}}

On 6 November 2008, the Kyrgyzstan parliament unanimously passed a law increasing the minimum number of adherents for recognizing a religion from 10 to 200. It also outlawed "aggressive action aimed at proselytism", and banned religious activity in schools and all activity by unregistered organizations. It was signed by President Kurmanbek Bakiyev on 12 January 2009.{{Cite web |date=16 January 2009 |title=Human Rights Activists Condemn New Religion Law |url=http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insightb/articles/eav011609c.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090429065320/http://eurasianet.org/departments/insightb/articles/eav011609c.shtml |archive-date=29 April 2009 |access-date=2 May 2010 |publisher=Eurasianet.org}}

There have been several reported police raids against peaceful minority religious meetings,{{Cite web |date=21 December 2015 |title=KYRGYZSTAN: "His screams of terror and pain could be heard throughout the building" |url=http://www.forum18.org/archive.php?article_id=2091 |publisher=Forum 18 News Service}} as well as reports of officials planting false evidence,{{Cite web |date=3 June 2011 |title=Kyrgyzstan: Court Confuses Jehovah's Witnesses for Islamic Radicals |url=http://www.eurasianet.org/node/63612 |publisher=eurasianet.org}} but also some court decisions in favour of religious minorities.{{Cite web |date=3 June 2011 |title=Kyrgyzstan Court Upholds Acquittal of Two Women Convicted Under False Charges |url=https://www.jw.org/en/news/legal/by-region/kyrgyzstan/osh-news-jw-acquittal/ |publisher=Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society}}

File:Kyrgyz Opera and Ballet Theatre, Bishkek.jpg

{{Main|Culture of Kyrgyzstan|Kyrgyz cuisine}}

{{main|Media of Kyrgyzstan}}

File:Kyrgyz Manaschi, Karakol.jpg performing part of the Epic of Manas at a yurt camp in Karakol]]

File:Kyrgyz Musicians in Karakol.jpg]]

File:Ishenbek and Berkut scout for prey. (3968888530).jpg]]

• Manas, an epic poem; the plot revolves around a series of events that coincide with the history of the region in the 9th century, primarily the interaction of the Kyrgyz people with other Turkic and Chinese people.
• Komuz, a three-stringed lute
• Tush kyiz, large, elaborately embroidered wall hangings
• Shyrdak and Ala-kiyiz carpets, manufactured by the process of felting, used for yurts. Inscribed in 2012 on the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding.{{Cite web |last=Aidar, Iliyas |title=Kyrgyz Style – Production – Souvenirs |url=http://www.kyrgyzstyle.kg/production/shirdaks/index.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061111022300/http://www.kyrgyzstyle.kg/production/shirdaks/index.htm |archive-date=11 November 2006 |access-date=2 May 2010 |publisher=Kyrgyzstyle.kg}}{{Cite web |title=Ala-kiyiz and Shyrdak, art of Kyrgyz traditional felt carpets |url=https://ich.unesco.org/en/USL/ala-kiyiz-and-shyrdak-art-of-kyrgyz-traditional-felt-carpets-00693 |website=UNESCO}}
• Other textiles, especially made from felt
• Ala kachuu, "bride kidnapping", traditional form of marriage in Kyrgyzstan
• Falconry
• Various dances

Illegal, but still practiced, is the tradition of bride kidnapping.{{Cite web |last=Lom |first=Petr |date=March 2004 |title=The Story (Synopsis of Kyrgyzstan – The Kidnapped Bride) |url=https://www.pbs.org/frontlineworld/stories/kyrgyzstan/thestory.html |website=Frontline / World |publisher=WGBH Educational Foundation}} It is debatable whether bride kidnapping is actually traditional. Some of the confusion may stem from the fact that arranged marriages were traditional, and one of the ways to escape an arranged marriage was to arrange a consensual "kidnapping".[http://pantheon.hrw.org/reports/2006/kyrgyzstan0906/ "Reconciled to Violence: State Failure to Stop Domestic Abuse and Abduction of Women in Kyrgyzstan"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304105108/http://pantheon.hrw.org/reports/2006/kyrgyzstan0906/ |date=4 March 2016 }}. Human Rights Watch Report. September 2006, Vol. 18, No.9.

The 40-rayed yellow sun in the center of the national flag represent the 40 tribes that once made up the entirety of Kyrgyz culture before the intervention of Russia during the rise of the Soviet Union. The lines inside the sun represent the crown or tündük (Kyrgyz түндүк) of a yurt, a symbol replicated in many facets of Kyrgyz architecture. The red portion of the flag represents peace and openness of Kyrgyzstan.

Under Soviet rule and before 1992, it had the flag of the Soviet Union with two big blue stripes and a white thin stripe in the middle.

{{Main|Public holidays in Kyrgyzstan}}

In addition to celebrating the New Year each 1 January, the Kyrgyz observe the traditional New Year festival Nowruz on the vernal equinox. This spring holiday is celebrated with feasts and festivities such as the horse game Ulak Tartish.

This is the list of public holidays in Kyrgyzstan:

• 1 January – New Year's Day
• 7 January – Orthodox Christmas
• 23 February – Fatherland Defender's Day
• 8 March – Women's Day
• 21–23 March – Nooruz Mairamy, Persian New Year (spring festival)
• 7 April – Day of National Revolution
• 1 May – Labor Day
• 5 May – Constitution Day
• 8 May – Remembrance Day
• 9 May – Victory Day
• 31 August – Independence Day
• 7–8 November – Days of History and Commemoration of Ancestors

Two additional Muslim holidays Orozo Ayt and Qurman (or Qurban) Ayt are defined by the lunar calendar.

{{See also|Rugby union in Kyrgyzstan}}In the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Kyrgyzstan received its first ever Olympic medal when Aidyn Smagulov won bronze in the men's 60 kg competition final in judo.{{Cite web |title=Kyrgyzstan at the Olympic Games |url=https://www.topendsports.com/events/summer/countries/kyrgyzstan.htm |access-date=2024-06-11 |website=www.topendsports.com}}{{Cite web |title=Sydney 2000 Sydney 2000 Judo - 60 kg men Results |url=https://olympics.com/en/olympic-games/sydney-2000/results/judo/sydney-2000-judo-60-kg-men |access-date=June 11, 2024 |website=Olympics {{!}} Olympic Games, Medals, Results & Latest News}}File:Bandy 2012. KYR - JPN.JPG

Football is one of the most popular sports in Kyrgyzstan.{{cite web |title=Build a stadium, FIFA's Infantino urges Kyrgyzstan |url=https://www.reuters.com/sports/soccer/build-stadium-fifas-infantino-urges-kyrgyzstan-2023-05-06/ |website=Reuters |access-date=27 February 2025 |date=6 May 2023}}{{cite web |last1=Beshov |first1=Aizatbek |title=Киргизский футбол поставил "антирекорд" ФИФА |url=https://www.bbc.com/russian/sport/2012/04/120420_kyrgyz_football |website=BBC |access-date=27 February 2025 |language=ru |date=20 April 2012}} The official governing body is the Football Federation of Kyrgyz Republic, which was founded in 1992, after the split of the Soviet Union. It administers the Kyrgyzstan national football team.{{Cite web |title=Kyrgyzstan |url=https://www.fifa.com/associations/association=kgz/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070809001834/http://www.fifa.com/associations/association=kgz/index.html |archive-date=9 August 2007 |access-date=3 May 2011 |publisher=FIFA}}

Wrestling is also very popular. Since the 2008 Summer Olympic Games, Kyrgyzstani wrestlers have won six medals in Greco-Roman and freestyle wrestling: three in 2008 and three in 2020.{{cite news |title=Кыргызстан завоевал первые с 2008 года медали на Олимпиаде |url=https://rus.azattyk.org/a/31391341.html |access-date=18 February 2024 |work=Радио Азаттык |date=3 Aug 2021 |language=Russian}}

Ice hockey was not as popular in Kyrgyzstan until the first Ice Hockey Championship was organized in 2009. In 2011, the Kyrgyzstan men's national ice hockey team won 2011 Asian Winter Games Premier Division dominating in all six games with six wins. It was the first major international event that Kyrgyzstan's ice hockey team took part in.{{Cite web |last=Lundqvist |first=Henrik |date=5 February 2011 |title=Kyrgyzstan wins the Asian Winter Games Premier Division 2011 |url=http://www.eurohockey.com/article/259-kyrgyzstan-wins-the-asian-winter-games-premier-division-2011.html |publisher=EuroHockey}} The Kyrgyzstan men's ice hockey team joined the IIHF in July 2011.

Bandy is becoming increasingly popular in the country. The Kyrgyz national team took Kyrgyzstan's first medal at the Asian Winter Games, when they captured the bronze. They played in the Bandy World Championship 2012, their first appearance in that tournament.{{Cite web |title=Team picture with Japan after their first meeting in the World Championships |url=http://www.bandy.or.jp/_userdata/teampictureFeb2.jpg |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120819170346/http://www.bandy.or.jp/_userdata/teampictureFeb2.jpg |archive-date=19 August 2012 |website=bandy.or.jp}}

Kyrgyzstan's national basketball team had its best performance at the official 1995 Asian Basketball Championship where the team finished ahead of favorites such as Iran, Philippines and Jordan.

XXI International Issyk-Kul Sports Games (SCO + CIS) was held in 9–17 September 2022 in Baktuu-Dolonotu village (Issyk-Kul).{{Cite web |date=25 August 2022 |title=Issyk-Kul region to host International Sports Games - |url=https://24.kg/english/243208_Issyk-Kul_region_to_host_International_Sports_Games/}} The first three World Nomad Games were held in Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyzstan. The 6th International Sports Festival Pearl of Kyrgyzstan were held in Issyk-Kul region from 15 June to 3 July 2022.

File:Kok-boru, Kyrgyzstan.jpg]]

The traditional national sports reflect the importance of horse riding in Kyrgyz culture.

Very popular, as in all of Central Asia, is Ulak Tartysh, a team game resembling a cross between polo and rugby in which two teams of riders wrestle for possession of the headless carcass of a goat, which they attempt to deliver across the opposition's goal line, or into the opposition's goal: a big tub or a circle marked on the ground.

Other popular games on horseback include:

• At Chabysh – a long-distance horse race, sometimes over a distance of more than 50 km
• Jumby Atmai – a large bar of precious metal (the "jumby") is tied to a pole by a thread and contestants attempt to break the thread by shooting at it, while at a gallop
• Kyz Kuumai – a man chases a girl in order to win a kiss from her, while she gallops away; if he is not successful she may in turn chase him and attempt to beat him with her "kamchi" (horsewhip)
• Oodarysh – two contestants wrestle on horseback, each attempting to be the first to throw the other from his horse
• Tyin Emmei – picking up a coin from the ground at full gallop

{{Main|Education in Kyrgyzstan}}

The school system in Kyrgyzstan also includes primary (grades 1 to 4, some schools have optional 0 grade), secondary (grades 5 to 9) and high (grades 10 to 11) divisions within one school.{{Cite web |last=Curtis |first=Glenn E. |date=1997 |title=Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan : country studies |url=http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.gdc/cntrystd.kz |access-date=2 October 2018 |website=Library of Congress |publisher=Library of Congress, Federal Research Division}}{{dead link|date=April 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} Children are usually accepted to primary schools at the age of 6 or 7. It is required that every child finishes 9 grades of school and receives a certificate of completion. Grades 10–11 are optional, but it is necessary to complete them to graduate and receive a state-accredited school diploma. To graduate, a student must complete the 11-year school course and pass 4 mandatory state exams in writing, maths, history, and a foreign language.

As of 2023, there were 4.989 primary and secondary schools in the country, including 445 in Bishkek;{{cite web |author= |date=2023 |title=Число образовательных организаций по территории |url=https://stat.gov.kg/en/statistics/download/dynamic/702 |website=National Statistical Committee of Kyrgyz Republic |access-date=19 February 2025}}{{cite web |author= |date=2023 |title=Число образовательных организаций по видам |url=https://stat.gov.kg/en/statistics/download/dynamic/703 |website=National Statistical Committee of Kyrgyz Republic |access-date=19 February 2025}} the large majority of these (4.537) were public schools.{{cite web |author= |date=2023 |title=Число образовательных организаций по видам и формам собственности |url=https://stat.gov.kg/en/statistics/download/dynamic/701 |website=National Statistical Committee of Kyrgyz Republic |access-date=19 February 2025}} The country also counted 58 higher educational institutions and universities, out of which 42 were public and 16 private.

In September 2016, the University of Central Asia was launched in Naryn, Kyrgyzstan.{{Cite web |date=14 September 2018 |title=University of Central Asia – University of Central Asia |url=http://www.ucentralasia.org |publisher=Ucentralasia.org}}

There are also various Russian-language medium schools in Bishkek, Osh and other areas. Because of the better funding that they receive in comparation with Kyrgyz state schools, many Kyrgyz go there. In March 2021 Russia announced its plans to create approximately 30 new Russian-language schools in Kyrgyzstan. Teachers from Russia are also working here. However, the existence of these schools has been criticised, for reasons such as the fact that Russian language education has flaws compared to the Turkish and American schools in the country, but also because many ethnic Kyrgyz born after Kyrgyz independence in 1991 can't speak Kyrgyz, but only Russian, according to a Bishkek resident.{{Cite web |last=Altynbayev |first=Kanat |title=Russia's 'soft power' education push in Kyrgyzstan worries locals |url=https://central.asia-news.com/en_GB/articles/cnmi_ca/features/2021/03/26/feature-01 |access-date=2022-08-01 |website=Caravanserai |language=en-GB}}

Kyrgyzstan is home to 1,066 libraries.[https://librarymap.ifla.org/map/Metric/Number-of-libraries/LibraryType/National-Libraries,Academic-Libraries,Public-Libraries,Community-Libraries,School-Libraries,Other-Libraries/Country/Kyrgyzstan/Weight/Totals-by-Country Library map of the world. (n.d.). Retrieved March 14, 2021, from librarymap.ifla.org] The National Library of the Kyrgyz Republic is the oldest library in the country, which was established in 1934. Kyrgyz Libraries are working towards expanding access to communities, evident in projects such as the signing of the Marrakesh VIP Treaty and the Open access Portal.{{Cite web |title=Kyrgyzstan | United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization |url=http://www.unesco.org/new/en/communication-and-information/portals-and-platforms/goap/access-by-region/asia-and-the-pacific/kyrgyzstan/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150414045848/http://www.unesco.org/new/en/communication-and-information/portals-and-platforms/goap/access-by-region/asia-and-the-pacific/kyrgyzstan/ |archive-date=14 April 2015 |website=www.unesco.org}}{{Cite web |title=The Right to Read in Kyrgyzstan | EIFL |url=https://www.eifl.net/eifl-in-action/right-read-kyrgyzstan |website=www.eifl.net}}

File:Bishkek 03-2016 img47 minibus at Chuy Prospekt.jpg in Bishkek]]

{{Main|Transport in Kyrgyzstan}}

Transport in Kyrgyzstan is severely constrained by the country's alpine topography. Roads have to snake up steep valleys, cross passes of {{convert|3000|m|ft}} altitude and more, and are subject to frequent mudslides and snow avalanches. Winter travel is close to impossible in many of the more remote and high-altitude regions.

Additional problems come from the fact that 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. Horses are still a much-used transport option, especially in more rural areas; Kyrgyzstan's road infrastructure is not extensive, so horses are able to reach locations that motor vehicles cannot, and they do not require expensive, imported fuel.

File:Bishkek 03-2016 img51 Manas Airport.jpg]]

At the end of the Soviet period there were about 50 airports and airstrips in Kyrgyzstan, many of them built primarily to serve military purposes in this border region so close to China. Only a few of them remain in service today. The Kyrgyzstan Air Company provides air transport to China, Russia, and other local countries.

• Manas International Airport near Bishkek is the main international airport, with services to Moscow, Tashkent, Almaty, Ürümqi, Istanbul, Baku, and Dubai.
• Osh Airport is the main air terminal in the south of the country, with daily connections to Bishkek, and services to Moscow, Krasnoyarsk, Almaty and more international places.
• Jalal-Abad Airport is linked to Bishkek by daily flights. The national flag carrier, Kyrgyzstan, operates flights on BAe-146 aircraft. During the summer months, a weekly flight links Jalal-Abad with the Issyk-Kul Region.
• Other facilities built during the Soviet era are either closed down, used only occasionally or restricted to military use (e.g., Kant Air Base near Bishkek, which is used by the Russian Air Force).

Kyrgyzstan appears on the European Union's list of prohibited countries for the certification of airlines. This means that no airline that is registered in Kyrgyzstan may operate services of any kind within the European Union, due to safety standards that fail to meet European regulations.{{Cite web |title=List of banned European Union air carriers |url=http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2008:102:0003:0016:EN:PDF |access-date=2 May 2010}}

File:3ТЭ10М-1024, Кыргызстан, Чуйская область, перегон разъезд № 148 - Каямат-Куркол (Trainpix 204613).jpg

The Chüy Valley in the north and the Fergana valley in the south were endpoints of the Soviet Union's rail system in Central Asia. Following the emergence of independent post-Soviet states, the rail lines which were built without regard for administrative boundaries have been cut by borders, and traffic is therefore severely curtailed. The small bits of rail lines within Kyrgyzstan, about {{convert|370|km|0|abbr=on}} ({{convert|1520|mm|1|abbr=on}} broad gauge) in total, have little economic value in the absence of the former bulk traffic over long distances to and from such centres as Tashkent, Almaty, and the cities of Russia.

In 2022, construction began on a new 186 km extension of the existing railway from Balykchy to Karakeche, primarily meant to carry coal from mines at Karakeche to Bishkek.{{Cite web |title=Kyrgyz president launches construction of railway to Kara-Keche |url=https://www.railwaygazette.com/infrastructure/kyrgyz-president-launches-construction-of-railway-to-kara-keche/61435.article |website=Railway Gazette International}} In June 2023, a railway between Balykchy and Bishkek was officially opened.{{cite web |author= |date=16 June 2023 |title=Из Бишкека в Балыкчы начал курсировать пассажирский поезд |url=https://mtd.gov.kg/iz-bishkeka-v-balykchy-nachal-kursirovat-passazhirskij-poezd |website=Министерство транспорта и коммуникаций Кыргызской Республики |access-date=19 February 2025}}{{cite web |last=Kudryavceva |first=Tatyana |date=13 June 2023 |title=Напоминаем: завтра начнет курсировать поезд Бишкек — Балыкчи |url=https://24.kg/obschestvo/296574_napominaem_zavtra_nachnet_kursirovat_poezd_bishkek_balyikchi |website=24.kg |access-date=19 February 2025}}

The planned construction of a 523 km {{ill|China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan Railway|ru|Железнодорожная магистраль Китай — Кыргызстан — Узбекистан}} (CKU) was announced in 2022, comprising {{convert|213|km|0|abbr=on}} in China, {{convert|260|km|0|abbr=on}} in Kyrgyzstan and {{convert|50|km|0|abbr=on}} in Uzbekistan.{{Cite web |title=Work to start next year on China - Kyrgyzstan - Uzbekistan Railway |url=http://www.railpage.com.au/news/s/work-to-start-next-year-on-china-kyrgyzstan-uzbekistan-railway |access-date=2022-06-10 |website=Railpage}} The railway, conceived as part of China's Belt and Road Initiative, is planned to lead from Kashgar through the Torugart Pass to Jalal-Abad, and further on to the Uzbek city of Andijan. Construction is set to begin in July 2025.{{cite web |last=Yang |first=William |date=9 January 2025 |title=China aims to deepen Central Asia influence with new railway project |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/china-aims-to-deepen-central-asia-influence-with-new-railway-project/7930839.html |website=Voice of America |access-date=19 February 2025}}

:{|

|- style="text-align:left;"

! Neighboring 
country !! Rail
linked?  !! Rail link name  !! Rail gauge notes

|-

| Kazakhstan || Yes || Bishkek branch || Same gauge

|-

| Uzbekistan || Yes || Osh branch || Same gauge

|-

| Tajikistan || No ||   — || Same gauge

|- style="vertical-align:top;"

| China || No ||   — || Gauge break: 1524 mm vs. 1435 mm

|}

File:Kyrgyzstan (6052094329).jpg)]]

With support from the Asian Development Bank, a major road linking the north and southwest of the country from the capital city of Bishkek to Osh has recently been completed. This considerably eases communication between the two major population centres of the country—the Chüy Valley in the north and the Fergana Valley in the South. An offshoot of this road branches off across a 3,500 meter pass into the Talas Valley in the northwest. Plans are now being formulated to build a major road from Osh into China.

• total: {{convert|34000|km|0|abbr=on}} (including {{convert|140|km|0|abbr=on}} of expressways)
• paved: {{convert|22600|km|0|abbr=on}} (includes some all-weather gravel-surfaced roads)
• unpaved: {{convert|7700|km|0|abbr=on}} (these roads are made of unstabilized earth and are difficult to negotiate in wet weather) (1990)

• Balykchy (Ysyk-Kol or Rybach'ye) on Issyk Kul Lake.

{{Portal|Asia}}

• Outline of Kyrgyzstan
• Index of Kyrgyzstan-related articles
• Chinghiz Aitmatov

{{Clear}}

{{notelist}}

{{reflist}}

{{See also|Bibliography of the history of Central Asia}}

{{refbegin}}

• Minahan, James. Miniature Empires: A Historical Dictionary of the Newly Independent States (Routledge, 1998) pp 200-214.
• Historical Dictionary of Kyrgyzstan by Rafis Abazov
• Kyrgyzstan: Central Asia's Island of Democracy? by John Anderson
• Kyrgyzstan: The Growth and Influence of Islam in the Nations of Asia and Central Asia by Daniel E. Harmon
• Lonely Planet Guide: Central Asia by Paul Clammer, Michael Kohn and Bradley Mayhew
• Odyssey Guide: Kyrgyz Republic by Ceri Fairclough, Rowan Stewart and Susie Weldon
• [http://www.press.umich.edu/titleDetailDesc.do?id=17240 Politics of Language in the Ex-Soviet Muslim States: Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100619112258/http://www.press.umich.edu/titleDetailDesc.do?id=17240 |date=19 June 2010 }} by Jacob M. Landau and Barbara Kellner-Heinkele. Ann Arbor, University of Michigan Press, 2001. {{ISBN|978-0-472-11226-5}}
• Kyrgyzstan: Traditions of Nomads by V. Kadyrov, Rarity Ltd., Bishkek, 2005. {{ISBN|9967-424-42-7}}
• [http://admissions.kg/cities/ Cities in Kyrgyzstan] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200407170522/https://admissions.kg/cities/ |date=7 April 2020 }}
• [http://admissions.kg/cities/bishkek/ Bishkek city of Kyrgyzstan] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200814200646/https://admissions.kg/cities/bishkek/ |date=14 August 2020 }}
• [http://admissions.kg/cities/osh/ Osh city of Kyrgyzstan] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200814190832/https://admissions.kg/cities/osh/ |date=14 August 2020 }}
• [http://admissions.kg/cities/jalal-abad/ Jalal-Abad city of Kyrgyzstan] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200814195007/https://admissions.kg/cities/jalal-abad/ |date=14 August 2020 }}

{{refend}}

{{Sister project links|voy=Kyrgyzstan|d=Q813}}

; Government

• [http://www.president.kg/ President of Kyrgyzstan] official site
• [http://www.gov.kg/ Government of Kyrgyzstan] official site
• [http://kenesh.kg/ Parliament of Kyrgyzstan] official site
• [http://www.lexadin.nl/wlg/legis/nofr/oeur/lxwekyr.htm Laws of the Kyrgyz Republic]

; General information

• [https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-16186907 Country Profile] from BBC News
• [https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/kyrgyzstan/ Kyrgyzstan]. The World Factbook. Central Intelligence Agency.
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20080607085109/http://ucblibraries.colorado.edu/govpubs/for/kyrgyzstan.htm Kyrgyzstan] at UCB Libraries GovPubs
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20100405050630/http://www.library.illinois.edu/spx/webct/nationalbib/kyrgyzintro.html Kyrgyz Publishing and Bibliography]
• [https://www.ifs.du.edu/IFs/frm_CountryProfile/KG Key Development Forecasts for Kyrgyzstan] from International Futures
• [https://konyvtar.uni-pannon.hu/doktori/2023/Askarbek_Mambetaliev_dissertation.pdf Language Policy in Kyrgyzstan] from University of Pannonia
• [https://www.worldometers.info/world-population/kyrgyzstan-population/#:~:text=The%20current%20population%20of%20Kyrgyzstan,latest%20United%20Nations%20data1. Kyrgyzstan Population]

;Maps

• {{wikiatlas|Kyrgyzstan}}

{{Kyrgyzstan topics}}

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