Overview
90% of Kyrgyzstan's people are Muslim
The majority are Sunni Muslim
7% are Christian
Brief History/Overview
The area where Kyrgyzstan now is located is known for its natural beauty and nomadic traditions. It is landlocked.
1876 - It was formally annexed by the Russian Empire.
1916 - Kyrgyz people staged a major revolt against Russia.
1926 - Became part of the Soviet Republic.
1991 - Achieved independence when USSR dissolved.
Continuing concerns for Kyrgyzstan's democratic development include corruption, difficult regional relations, border security and potential terrorist threats.
General Information
Location - Central Asia. Bordering countries include China, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
Government Type - Parliamentary Republic
Capital City - Bishkek
Literacy Rate: 99.6% (2019)
Size: Slightly smaller than South Dakota
Population: 6.1M (2023 est.)
Population Growth Rate: 0.082% (2023 est.)
Population Distribution: Vast majority of people live in rural areas. The densest population is in the north and in and around the capitol city of Bishkek.
Economy
The economy is low to middle income. The country is rich in natural resources. Tourism is growing. Corruption and politics in general are problems.
National Resources: Hydropower, gold, rare earth metals, coal, oil, natural gas, nepheline, mercury, bismuth, lead and zinc
Agricultural Products: milk, potatoes, sugar beets, corn, wheat, barley, tomatoes, watermelon, onions, carrots, turnips
Major Industries: small machinery, textiles, food processing, cement, shoes, lumber, refrigerators, furniture, electric motors, mining
Labor Force: 2.5 M (2021)
Unemployment Rate: 9.1% (2021)
GDP: $8.44B (2019 est.)
Labor Force Breakdown: Agriculture - 14.0%, Industry - 31.2%, Services - 54.2% (2017 est.)
International Trade (in US Dollars)
Total Exports: $2.37B
Major Product Exports (2021)
Gold ($908M), Float Glass ($186M), other Precious Metals ($101M), Dried Legumes ($74.9M), Refined Petroleum ($68M)
Other exports include scrap copper, dried fruits, mercury, uranium, cotton, copper, live animals and vegetables
Major Export Partners (2021)
United Kingdom ($471M), Kazakhstan ($430M), Russia ($411M), UAE ($216M), Switzerland ($185M)
Total Imports: $12B (2021)
Major Imports:
Clothing ($2.264B), Refined Petroleum ($781M)
Major Import Partners (2021)
China ($6.47B) Russia ($2.19B), Kazakhstan ($619M), Uzbekistan ($773M), Turkey ($750M)
English Language Online News
The Times of Central Asia-general news - www.timesca.com
Sampling of Kyrgyzstan Companies
Akaltivcotton - cotton production - Bishkek
Ideality Inc. - children’s furniture - Bishkek
Osoo Agrofoods - apple juice concentrate, pomegranate juice concentrate - Bishkek
Bio Farmer Cooperative - cotton fiber, grains, pulses, medicinal plants - Bishkek
EcoProm Export Ltd. - export and import of agricultural and manufactured goods - Bishkek
Bast Agro Trading Co Ltd. - nuts, melons, pomegranates etc. - Bishkek
Chuy Frp Composite LLC - apparel machinery, air cleaner parts, plastic building materials, etc. - Kara-Balta
Robin Asia - cultivation and export of leguminous cultures - Bishkek
Stroyinvest LLC - resin, suspension strings and other suspension parts, compound fertilizer, whey powder - Bishkek
Ocoo North Star - agricultural greenhouses etc. - Bishkek
KyrgyzCentreProducts Ltd. - large producer and exporter of agricultural products - Bishkek
Alis Lider - large variety of production machinery - Bishkek
STS Ltd. - induction regulators - Kievskaya
Astra KCMP Ltd. - multi crystalline silicon and silicon wafers used in photovoltaic industry
Metraco - mercury production - Bishkek
D-Col Enterprises - wholesaling of different products in Asia - Bishkek
National Holidays
January 1 - New Year’s Day
January 7 - Orthodox Christmas Day
January 8 - Orthodox Christmas Holiday
February 23 - Homeland Defender's Day
March 8 - International Women's Day
March 21 - People's Holiday of Nooruz
April 7 - People's April Revolution Day
April 8 - People's April Revolution Holiday
April 10 - Orozo Ait
May 1 - Labor Day
May 5 - Constitution Day
May 9 - Victory Day
August 31 - Independence Day
September 2 - Independence Day Holiday
November 7 - Day of History and Commemoration of Ancestors
November 8 - Day of History and Commemoration of Ancestors Holiday
By Paul Mastilak
InterMark3, Inc.
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