A Central Asian country of incredible natural beauty and proud nomadic traditions, most of the territory of present-day Kyrgyzstan was formally annexed to the Russian Empire in 1876. The Kyrgyz staged a major revolt against the Tsarist Empire in 1916 in which almost one-sixth of the Kyrgyz population was killed. Kyrgyzstan became a Soviet republic in 1936 and achieved independence in 1991 when the USSR dissolved. Nationwide demonstrations in the spring of 2005 resulted in the ouster of President Askar AKAEV, who had run the country since 1990. Former Prime Minister Kurmanbek BAKIEV overwhelmingly won the presidential election in the summer of 2005. Over the next few years, he manipulated the parliament to accrue new powers for the presidency. In July 2009, after months of harassment against his opponents and media critics, BAKIEV won reelection in a presidential campaign that the international community deemed flawed. In April 2010, violent protests in Bishkek led to the collapse of the BAKIEV regime and his eventual flight to Minsk, Belarus. His successor, Roza OTUNBAEVA, served as transitional president until Almazbek ATAMBAEV was inaugurated in December 2011, marking the first peaceful transfer of presidential power in independent Kyrgyzstan's history. Continuing concerns include: the trajectory of democratization, endemic corruption, poor interethnic relations, border security vulnerabilities, and potential terrorist threats.

Under the 2010 Constitution, ATAMBAEV is limited to one term, which will end in 2017. Constitutional amendments passed in a referendum in December 2016 include language that transfers some presidential powers to the prime minister. Disagreement over the constitutional amendments compelled ATAMBAEV’s ruling Social Democratic Party of Kyrgyzstan to dissolve and create a new majority coalition in the Jogorku Kengesh that excluded opposition parties critical of the amendments.

Central Asia, west of China, south of Kazakhstan

41 00 N, 75 00 E

Asia

slightly smaller than South Dakota

0 km (landlocked)

none (landlocked)

dry continental to polar in high Tien Shan Mountains; subtropical in southwest (Fergana Valley); temperate in northern foothill zone

peaks of the Tien Shan mountain range and associated valleys and basins encompass the entire country

highest point: Jengish Chokusu (Pik Pobedy) 7,439 m

abundant hydropower; gold, rare earth metals; locally exploitable coal, oil, and natural gas; other deposits of nepheline, mercury, bismuth, lead, and zinc

arable land 6.7%; permanent crops 0.4%; permanent pasture 48.3%

10,233 sq km (2012)

the vast majority of Kyrgyzstanis live in rural areas; densest population settlement is to the north in and around Bishkek, followed by Osh in the west; the least densely populated area is the east, southeast in the Tien Shan mountains

NA

water pollution; many people get their water directly from contaminated streams and wells; as a result, water-borne diseases are prevalent; increasing soil salinity from faulty irrigation practices

landlocked; entirely mountainous, dominated by the Tien Shan range; 94% of the country is 1,000 m above sea level with an average elevation of 2,750 m; many tall peaks, glaciers, and high-altitude lakes

5,727,553 (July 2016 est.)

Kyrgyz 70.9%, Uzbek 14.3%, Russian 7.7%, Dungan 1.1%, other 5.9% (includes Uyghur, Tajik, Turk, Kazakh, Tatar, Ukrainian, Korean, German) (2009 est.)

Kyrgyz (official) 71.4%, Uzbek 14.4%, Russian (official) 9%, other 5.2% (2009 est.)

Muslim 75%, Russian Orthodox 20%, other 5%

1.09% (2016 est.)

22.6 births/1,000 population (2016 est.)

6.6 deaths/1,000 population (2016 est.)

-5.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2016 est.)

the vast majority of Kyrgyzstanis live in rural areas; densest population settlement is to the north in and around Bishkek, followed by Osh in the west; the least densely populated area is the east, southeast in the Tien Shan mountains

BISHKEK (capital) 865,000 (2015)

23.3 (2013 est.)

76 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)

2.64 children born/woman (2016 est.)

36.3% (2012)

6.5% of GDP (2014)

1.97 physicians/1,000 population (2013)

4.8 beds/1,000 population (2012)

urban: 96.7% of population

rural: 86.2% of population

total: 90% of population

urban: 3.3% of population

rural: 13.8% of population

total: 10% of population (2015 est.)

urban: 89.1% of population

rural: 95.6% of population

total: 93.3% of population

urban: 10.9% of population

rural: 4.4% of population

total: 6.7% of population (2015 est.)

0.22% (2015 est.)

8,100 (2015 est.)

200 (2015 est.)

13.3% (2014)

2.8% (2014)

6.8% of GDP (2013)

parliamentary republic

7 provinces (oblustar, singular - oblus) and 2 cities* (shaarlar, singular - shaar); Batken Oblusu, Bishkek Shaary*, Chuy Oblusu (Bishkek), Jalal-Abad Oblusu, Naryn Oblusu, Osh Oblusu, Osh Shaary*, Talas Oblusu, Ysyk-Kol Oblusu (Karakol)

31 August 1991 (from the Soviet Union)

Independence Day, 31 August (1991)

previous 1993; latest adopted 27 June 2010, effective 2 July 2010 (2016)

civil law system which includes features of French civil law and Russian Federation laws

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

18 years of age; universal

Ata-Jurt-Respublika (Homeland-Republic) [Omurbek BABANOV, Kamchybek TASHIEV]

Ata-Meken (Fatherland) [Omurbek TEKEBAEV]

Bir Bol (Stay United) [Altynbek SULAIMANOV]

Kyrgyzstan Party [Kanatbek ISAEV, Kanybek IMANALIEV]

Onuguu-Progress [Bakyt TOROBAEV]

Social-Democratic Party of Kyrgyzstan or SDPK [Almazbek ATAMBAEV]

Adilet (Justice) Legal Clinic [Cholpon JAKUPOVA]

Citizens Against Corruption [Tolekan ISMAILOVA]

Coalition for Democracy and Civil Society [Dinara OSHURAKHUNOVA]

Kylym Shamy (Torch of the Century) [Aziza ABDIRASULOVA]

Precedent Partnership Group [Nurbek TOKTAKUNOV]

Societal Analysis Public Association [Rita KARASARTOVA]

Union of True Muslims [Nurlan MOTUEV]

ADB, CICA, CIS, CSTO, EAEC, EAEU, EAPC, EBRD, ECO, EITI (compliant country), FAO, GCTU, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, MIGA, NAM (observer), OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, SCO, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

red field with a yellow sun in the center having 40 rays representing the 40 Kyrgyz tribes; on the obverse side the rays run counterclockwise, on the reverse, clockwise; in the center of the sun is a red ring crossed by two sets of three lines, a stylized representation of a "tunduk" - the crown of a traditional Kyrgyz yurt; red symbolizes bravery and valor, the sun evinces peace and wealth

gyrfalcon; national colors: red, yellow

Kyrgyzstan is a poor, mountainous country with an economy dominated by minerals extraction, agriculture, and reliance on remittances from citizens working abroad. Cotton, wool, and meat are the main agricultural products, although only cotton is exported in any quantity. Other exports include gold, mercury, uranium, natural gas, and - in some years - electricity. The country has sought to attract foreign investment to expand its export base, including construction of hydroelectric dams, but a difficult investment climate and an ongoing legal battle with Canadian investors in the nation’s largest gold mine deter potential investors. Remittances from Kyrgyz migrant workers in Russia and Kazakhstan are equivalent to about a quarter of Kyrgyzstan’s GDP.

Following independence, Kyrgyzstan rapidly carried out market reforms, such as improving the regulatory system and instituting land reform. Kyrgyzstan was the first Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) country to be accepted into the World Trade Organization. The government has privatized much of its ownership shares in public enterprises. Despite these reforms, the country suffered a severe drop in production in the early 1990s and has again faced slow growth in recent years as the global financial crisis and declining oil prices have damaged economies across Central Asia.

Kyrgyz leaders hope the country’s August 2015 accession to the Eurasian Economic Union will bolster trade and investment, but slowing economies in Russia and China, low commodity prices, and currency fluctuations continue to hamper economic growth. The keys to future growth include progress in fighting corruption, improving administrative transparency, restructuring domestic industry, and attracting foreign aid and investment.

$20.1 billion (2015 est.)

$19.42 billion (2014 est.)

$18.75 billion (2013 est.)

$6.65 billion (2015 est.)

3.5% (2015 est.)

3.6% (2014 est.)

10.5% (2013 est.)

$3,400 (2015 est.)

$3,300 (2014 est.)

$3,200 (2013 est.)

20.6% of GDP (2015 est.)

9.3% of GDP (2014 est.)

9.3% of GDP (2013 est.)

cotton, potatoes, vegetables, grapes, fruits and berries; sheep, goats, cattle, wool

small machinery, textiles, food processing, cement, shoes, sawn logs, refrigerators, furniture, electric motors, gold, rare earth metals

0.9% (2015 est.)

2.732 million (2015 est.)

8% (2013 est.)

8.1% (2014 est.)

33.7% (2011 est.)

33.4 (2007)

29 (2001)

29.9% of GDP (2015 est.)

-1.5% of GDP (2015 est.)

68.8% of GDP (2015 est.)

calendar year

6.5% (2015 est.)

7.5% (2014 est.)

13.73% (22 December 2011)

2.5% (31 December 2010)

24.25% (31 December 2015 est.)

22.36% (31 December 2014 est.)

$928.2 million (31 December 2015 est.)

$1.062 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

$1.333 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

$1.399 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

$831.4 million (31 December 2015 est.)

$1.074 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

$165 million (31 December 2012 est.)

$165 million (31 December 2011 est.)

$79 million (31 December 2010 est.)

-$979 million (2015 est.)

-$1.245 billion (2014 est.)

$1.61 billion (2015 est.)

$1.794 billion (2014 est.)

gold, cotton, wool, garments, meat; mercury, uranium, electricity; machinery; shoes

Switzerland 26%, Uzbekistan 22.6%, Kazakhstan 20.8%, UAE 4.9%, Turkey 4.5%, Afghanistan 4.5%, Russia 4.2% (2015)

$3.648 billion (2015 est.)

$5.204 billion (2014 est.)

oil and gas, machinery and equipment, chemicals, foodstuffs

China 56.4%, Russia 17.1%, Kazakhstan 9.9% (2015)

$1.778 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

$1.957 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

$7.37 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

$7.257 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

$4.347 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

$3.667 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

$331.4 million (31 December 2015 est.)

$418.3 million (31 December 2014 est.)

soms (KGS) per US dollar -

64.462 (2015 est.)

53.654 (2014 est.)

53.654 (2013 est.)

47.01 (2012 est.)

46.144 (2011 est.)

14 billion kWh (2014 est.)

11 billion kWh (2014 est.)

72 million kWh (2014 est.)

300 million kWh (2014 est.)

3.9 million kW (2014 est.)

21.1% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

78.9% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

1,000 bbl/day (2015 est.)

19.65 bbl/day (2013 est.)

0 bbl/day (2013 est.)

40 million bbl (1 January 2016 es)

1,571 bbl/day (2013 est.)

37,000 bbl/day (2014 est.)

3,070 bbl/day (2013 est.)

35,710 bbl/day (2013 est.)

34 million cu m (2014 est.)

429 million cu m (2014 est.)

0 cu m (2013 est.)

395 million cu m (2014 est.)

5.663 billion cu m (1 January 2016 es)

9.4 million Mt (2013 est.)

state-run TV broadcaster operates 2 nationwide networks and 6 regional stations; roughly 20 private TV stations operating with most rebroadcasting other channels; state-run radio broadcaster operates 2 networks; about 20 private radio stations (2007)

.kg

EX (2016)

28 (2013)

gas 480 km; oil 16 km (2013)

600 km (2010)

State Committee on Defense Affairs (GKDO): Ground Forces, Air Force (includes Air Defense Forces) (2015)

18-27 years of age for compulsory or voluntary male military service in the Armed Forces or Interior Ministry; 1-year service obligation, with optional fee-based 3-year service in the call-up mobilization reserve; women may volunteer at age 19; 16-17 years of age for military cadets, who cannot take part in military operations (2013)

3.74% of GDP (2011)

Kyrgyzstan has yet to ratify the 2001 boundary delimitation with Kazakhstan; disputes in Isfara Valley delay completion of delimitation with Tajikistan; delimitation of 130 km of border with Uzbekistan is hampered by serious disputes over enclaves and other areas

limited illicit cultivation of cannabis and opium poppy for CIS markets; limited government eradication of illicit crops; transit point for Southwest Asian narcotics bound for Russia and the rest of Europe; major consumer of opiates