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Important facts

Capital: Bishkek (See more on ITYPEMBA.COM)

Official language: Kyrgyz, Russian

Currency: Som

Continent: South Asia

Yurts next to functional tents

Kyrgyzstan is a blank spot on the map of adventure seekers!

Vacation in Kyrgyzstan

According to Countryaah, Kyrgyzstan (sometimes: Kyrgyzstan) is a country in Central Asia. Do you fancy horse riding or hiking? In Kyrgyzstan, mighty mountains tower up, covered with long glaciers, which flow into deep valleys. Most of the country is dominated by monstrous mountain ranges.

Since the opening of the Soviet border, Kyrgyzstan has been one of the few Central Asian countries that has started to rely on tourism. In the country you will find a network of many small pensions and, above all, finding a hostel in small communities is easier than you might expect.

Some shepherd nomads in the country still live in yurts, so it is not a problem to spend the night in tents in the country. In general, the country is particularly popular with trekkers, but also with people who want to explore endless expanses on the back of a horse.

Kyrgyzstan travel

In Kyrgyzstan was from the mid-9th to the early 13th century Islamic Qarakhanid -Reich. Occasionally you may come across traces of this time, but it is worth pursuing. The Burana Tower in the north of the country dates from this time. The tower is close to Tokmuk City and Shamshin Valley. This should be a stop on your tour of Kyrgyzstan. Have you ever considered hiking the Silk Road ? Kyrgyzstan offers many opportunities to explore nature and history alike. Find out more about other countries on the Silk Road at Atanango.com.

Security in Kyrgyzstan

Until recently, Kyrgyzstan was the scene of bloody fighting between different ethnic groups. These reached their peak in 2010. Make sure to inquire in advance in which region and which security situation is to be expected. Particular caution applies to the border area with Uzbekistan! Make sure you get enough information before you start your vacation!

Currency

Currency (sub-unit)

Som (100 Tyiyn)

ISO 4217 code

KGS / 417

Geography

Continent: Asia

Region: south

Geo coordinates: N 41 ° 12 ‘15.8 ” E 74 ° 45’ 58″

Highest mountain: Jengisch Chokusu (7,439 m)

Total area: 198,500 km²

Mainland: 191,300 km²

National border: 3,878 km

Politics

Dependency: Soviet Union until 1991

UN member since: 1992

Other political affiliation: CIS

Economy

Export goods: Food, energy, non-ferrous metals

BSP: $ 2,866,000,000

GDP: $ 2,964,000,000

GDP purchasing power parity: $ 11,820,000,000

GDP share of agriculture: 36.2%

GDP share of industry: 20.4%

GDP share of services: 43.4%

Inflation rate: 4.9%

State budget revenue: $ 578,000,000

State budget expenditure: $ 597 billion

Export: $ 872,000,000

Import: $ 1,078,000,000

Foreign debt: $ 2,686,000,000

Gold and currency reserves: $ 782,000,000

Gas production: 6 million m³

Gas consumption: 1,570 million m³

Oil production: 2,000 million m³

Oil consumption: 20,000 million m³

Cultivation area: 6.79%

Bovine: 1,121,000 pieces

Sheep: 2,890,000 pieces

Demographic data

Residents: 5,213,900

Residents in cities: 1,722,000

Average age: 23.6 years

0-14 years: 30.9%

15-64 years: 62.9%

> 65 years: 6.2%

Population growth: 1.32%

Birth rate: 22.8 / 1,000 residents

Death rate: 7.08 / 1,000 residents

Migration: -2.5 / 1,000 residents

Ratio men / women: 0.96

Fertility: 2.69 children / woman

Infant mortality: 34.49 ‰

Life expectancy men: 64.48 years

Life expectancy women: 72.7 years

Country codes and abbreviations

ISO 3166 Alpha 2: KG

ISO 3166 Alpha 3: KGZ

ISO 3166 numeric: 417

Top Level Domain: kg

IOC country code: KGZ

UN / LOCODE: KG

Source: Abbreviationfinder

Communication

Telephone connections: 471,000

Cell Phones: 152,000

Radios: 593,000

TV: 300,000

Computer: 126,000

Internet users: 560,000

Transportation

Railway lines: 470 km

Paved roads: 24,110 km

of which expressways: 140 km

Cars: 274,000

Pipelines: 380

Health

Number of doctors: 12,890

Daily food intake: 2.870 kcal / resident

HIV- infected people: 4,800

Education

Illiteracy: 1 %

History

Foundation: 1991

Last sovereign since: 1991

Religion

Main religious group: Muslims

Crime

Prison inmates: 21,400

Military

Armed forces (troop strength): 12,000

Main battle tank: 210

Warplanes: 70

Helicopter: 50

Defense Spending: $ 29.6 million

GETTING THERE

Arriving by plane

Turkish Airlines (TK) flies from Frankfurt, Vienna and Zurich via Istanbul to Bishkek. Ukraine International Airlines (UIA) flies from Zurich and Geneva via Kiev to Bishkek.

Flight times

Hanover / Frankfurt – Bishkek: 8 hours 30 (including a stopover); Frankfurt – Almaty: 7 hours.
The bus ride from Almaty to Bishkek takes 3-5 hours, by taxi 3 hours.

Arrival by car

The most important international connecting roads lead to Kazakhstan, there is also a border crossing to China (observe strict entry regulations). Extensive construction work is currently being carried out on the Bishkek-Almaty line (Kazakhstan).

Regular bus connections from Bishkek to Tashkent in Uzbekistan (travel time 10-12 hours) and Almaty in Kazakhstan (6 hours). The buses depart from the long-distance bus station (Zapadni) in Bishkek.

From Tashkent there is a direct connection through the Fergana Valley to Osh (see Uzbekistan), but the road conditions on this route are often poor, in winter the mountain passes are often closed, in spring floods make many roads impassable due to the snowmelt. Auto repair shops are very limited.

Arriving by train

Train connections to the Russian Federation (the journey to Moscow takes three days) and to the other Central Asian republics, but rail travel is generally not recommended due to frequent robberies.

ON THE GO

Traveling by plane

There are connections from Bishkek to Cholpan-Ata, Kara-Kol, Naryn and Osh. The central Tienschan region can be reached by helicopter, which takes mountaineers into the Inylchek valley. Safety standards in national air traffic do not always correspond to Western European standards.

On the way by car / bus

Kyrgyzstan has a road network of 28,500 km.

Bus / long-distance bus: Regular bus and coach connections to all parts of the country, the buses are often overcrowded and in poor technical condition.

Taxis and private taxis are available in major cities. Many do not have a license. The fare should be agreed in advance.

Rental cars can be rented at Bishkek and Osh airports and in some larger cities. Because of the road conditions, off-road vehicles are recommended. It is also possible to rent rental cars with a driver for longer distances. However, due to the shortage of fuel, this is an expensive alternative. Foreigners are generally expected to pay in US dollars.

Documents:International driver’s license and two passport photos.

Traveling in the city

There are buses and trolleybuses in the capital.

On the go by train

The only inland route runs from Bishkek to Balikchi, at the western end of Lake Issyk-Kul. Osh in the south of the country can be reached by train via Tashkent (Uzbekistan). A new north-south train connection is being planned. Rail travel is not recommended due to frequent robberies.