Kyrgyzstan

December 5, 1936 (Saturday) – Becomes Kyrgyz SSR within the Soviet Union

August 31, 1991 (Saturday) – Declares independence from the Soviet Union

December 21, 1991 (Saturday) – Joins Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS)

May 5, 1993 (Wednesday) – Constitution of the Kyrgyz Republic adopted

March 24, 2005 (Thursday) – Tulip Revolution ousts President Akaev

June 10–14, 2010 (Thursday–Monday) – Ethnic violence in Osh and Jalal-Abad; over 400 dead

October 4, 2015 (Sunday) – First parliamentary elections under biometric voting

April 16, 2017 (Sunday) – Earthquake (M6.1) in Osh region; no fatalities

October 5, 2020 (Monday) – Post-election protests erupt, leading to political upheaval

January 10, 2021 (Sunday) – Sadyr Japarov elected President

July 30, 2021 (Friday) – Landslide in Batken region, 5 people killed

February 6, 2023 (Monday) – Cold wave hits Naryn region, temperatures below −40°C

August 18, 2023 (Friday) – Flooding in Issyk-Kul basin, over 500 homes damaged

March 19, 2024 (Tuesday) – Avalanche near Karakol, 6 fatalities, dozens injured

Continent: Asia
Location: Central Asia, landlocked
Capital: Bishkek
Language: Kyrgyz (official), Russian (co-official)
Currency: Kyrgyzstani Som (KGS)
Population: ~6.9 million (last updated: April 2025)
Time Zone: Kyrgyzstan Time (KGT, UTC+6)*

Borders: Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, China
Landscape: Mountainous terrain, alpine valleys, high plateaus
Major Rivers: Naryn, Chu, Talas, Saryjaz
Major Mountains: Tien Shan range, Peak Jengish Chokusu (Victory Peak)
Deserts: None (arid zones in lowlands)
Lakes: Issyk-Kul (second-largest alpine lake in the world), Song-Kul, Sary-Chelek
Volcanoes: None (no active volcanoes)
Highest Point: Jengish Chokusu – 7,439 m (24,406 ft)
Lowest Point: Kara-Darya Valley – 132 m (433 ft)
Climate: Continental; cold winters, hot summers; more extreme in mountains
Geological Features: Glacial valleys, fault zones, tectonic uplift regions, alpine basins

Ethnic Groups: Kyrgyz (~73%), Uzbek (~14%), Russian (~6%), others
Religion: Predominantly Muslim (~90%), Christian minority
Urban Population: ~37% (last updated: 2023)
Aging Population: ~4.7% aged 65+ (last updated: 2024)

Famous For: Nomadic traditions, horse culture, yurt dwelling, Manas epic
Cuisine: Beshbarmak, plov, laghman, kumis (fermented mare’s milk)
Arts: Felt craft, traditional music, epic poetry
Sports: Wrestling, horseback games (e.g., kok-boru), archery

Economy Type: Developing, mixed economy
GDP: Approx. $10.4 billion USD (last updated: 2024)
Major Industries: Agriculture, mining (gold), hydropower, textiles
Key Exports: Gold, cotton, wool, meat, hydropower
Unemployment Rate: ~7.9% (last updated: 2024)
Economic Regions: Chuy Valley (agricultural/industrial hub), Osh region, Issyk-Kul (tourism)

Government Type: Unitary presidential republic
Head of State: President Sadyr Japarov (as of April 2025)
Head of Government: Chairman of Cabinet Akylbek Japarov (as of April 2025)
Legislature: Supreme Council (Jogorku Kenesh)
Constitution: Adopted in 1993; revised 2021

Issyk-Kul Lake: High-altitude beach resorts and trekking
Ala Archa National Park: Mountain hiking and glaciers
Osh: Ancient city on the Silk Road, Sulaiman-Too Sacred Mountain
Tash Rabat: Stone caravanserai from 15th century
Son-Kul Lake: Summer yurt camps and horseback trekking
Burana Tower: Ancient minaret from the Karakhanid era