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Country Guide > Asia > Kyrgyzstan | |
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General Information Area 199,900 sq km (77,182 sq miles). Population 5,067,000 (UN estimate 2002). Population Density 25.3 per sq km. Capital Bishkek (called Frunze from 1926 to 1991). Population: 736,000 (UN estimate 2001). Geography Kyrgyzstan is bordered by Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and China. The majestic Tian Shan (Heavenly Mountains) range occupies the greater part of the area. Its highest peak is Pik Pobedy at 7439m (24,406ft). Government Republic. Gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. Head of State and Government: President Askar Akajev since 1990. Prime Minister: Nikolaj Tanajev since May 2002. Language The official language is Kyrgyz, a Turkic language closely related to Uzbek, Kazakh, Turkmen and Turkish. Any attempt by a foreigner to speak Kyrgyz will be greatly appreciated. In deference to the large Russian population of Kyrgyzstan, Russian is also protected under law. In 1993, the Government undertook to replace the Russian Cyrillic Alphabet with the Turkish version of the Roman alphabet. Meanwhile, most people can speak Russian, and do so, especially in the north. English is widely spoken by those involved in tourism. Uzbek, Kazakh, Tajik and various other regional languages and dialects are also spoken. Religion The major religion is Islam with the majority of Kyrgyz being Sunni Muslim with Christian and Russian Orthodox minorities. Time GMT + 5 (GMT + 6 from second Sunday in April to Saturday before last Sunday in September). Electricity 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Round two-pin continental plugs are standard. Communications Telephone Country code: 996 (312 for Bishkek). International calls should be made from a telephone office which will usually be found attached to a post office; they can also be made from some hotels by asking at reception. All international calls from Kyrgyzstan have to go through the operator. Local calls (within the city) are free of charge if made from private telephones; hotels sometimes levy a small charge. Direct-dial calls within the CIS are obtained by dialling 8 and waiting for another dial tone and then dialling the city code followed by the number. Mobile telephone GSM 900 network in use. The main provider is Bitel Ltd (website: www.bitel.kg). Fax Services are available in main hotels for residents only. Telegram Services are available from post offices in large towns. Internet ISPs include Asiainfo (website: www.asiainfo.kg), ElCat (website: www.elcat.kg) and Intra Net (website: www.intranet.kg). There are two Internet cafes on ul Sovetskaya in Bishkek, amongst others. Post Letters to and from Western Europe and the USA can take anything between two weeks and two months. Stamped envelopes can be bought from post offices. Mail to recipients within Kyrgyzstan should be addressed in the following order: country, postcode, city, street, house number and, lastly, the person’s name. Visitors can also use post offices located within some major hotels. Post office hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1800. Press The Bishkek Observer, Kyrgyzstan Chronicle, Times of Central Asia and Zaman Kyrgyzstan are published weekly in English. The main dailies are published in Bishkek and include Kyrgyz Tuusu (both in Kyrgyz), and Delo No, Slovo Kyrgyzstana and Vechernii Bishkek (in Russian). Radio BBC World Service (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice) and Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov) can be received. From time to time the frequencies change and the most up-to-date can be found online. |