Guide to Kyrgystan

History & Culture

Silk Route

Once a major part of the ancient trade Silk Road between China and Europe, Kyrgyzstan is now an integral part of the economy of Central Asia. But the history of the people populating this land today started long ago and in another area. The Kyrgyz used to be, and partly still are a nomadic nation, and this can be guessed from the national flag, which features the top of a yurt - a traditional Kyrgyz portable house still widely used by its population. The ancestors of the modern Kyrgyz were nomadic shepherds populating vast areas of southern Siberia. During the rise of the Mongols, the Kyrgyz, like many other nations, were integrated in the Mongol Empire. As it started to dissolve into small pieces, many Kyrgyz people headed toward the south. Others stayed in south Siberia and formed the peoples of Khakassia and Altay, today parts of Russia. In the middle of the 19th century, Russia launched a campaign to conquer the territory of modern Kyrgyzstan to protect it from the influence of the neighboring Uzbeks. By 1876, future Kyrgyzstan was integrated into the Russian Empire as one of its southeastern frontiers. After the 1917 Russian revolution, Kyrgyzstan became one of the Soviet republics. Throughout the 1920s and the 1930s, pretty much every aspect of the Kyrgyz traditional lifestyle was subject to reforms.

The Kyrgyz language, part of the Turkic family, underwent a series of profound transformations that ended with the introduction of a standard Cyrillic alphabet. Despite the Soviet authorities' policy of imposing collective sedentary farming and anti-religion activity, the nomadic traditions of the Kyrgyz have survived. In 1991, Kyrgyzstan became an independent nation. In mid-2000s and early 2010s, the country was subject to political instability and has seen two coups, until the first peaceful transition of presidential power took place in 2011. Islam dominates the religious life of Kyrgyzstan, with Orthodox Christianity, Protestantism and other religions also present.

Climate

The climate in the Kyrgyz Republic is mostly continental due to its remoteness from the ocean. Generally, it is recommended to visit the country from May to October. During this time, all routes are open and the weather is quite mild. However, every time of the year has its benefits.

Geography

The climate is influenced chiefly by the mountains

Kyrgyzstan is home to some of Eurasia's most spectacular views and locations. Snowy peaks, some higher than 7,000 meters (23,000 ft), forests, unique fresh water lakes and the fact that sometimes it is possible to place it all in one shot, makes Kyrgyzstan the true pearl of Central Asia. The country borders Kazakhstan in the north, Uzbekistan in the west, China in the east and the southeast and Tajikistan in the south, taking the best from each of the neighboring countries' advantages. Kyrgyzstan is a landlocked nation, and can be naturally divided into three parts: the continental northwest with capital Bishkek, the high-attitude east and the low and warm Fergana Valley in the south. The Tien Shan and the Pamir mountain ridges make up most of the Kyrgyz territory.

The 7,400-meter Jengish Chokusu (the Victory Peak), the 7,100-meter Lenin Peak and the 7,000-meter Khan Tengri peak are among the highest ones. Kyrgyzstan does not have access to the sea, however, it has unique high-attitude lakes. One of the top destinations in the whole Central Asia is Issyk-Kol, an enormous mountain lake, second by size only to South America's Titicaca. Despite its geographical diversity, Kyrgyzstan is smooth in terms of logistics. Three times smaller than France, the Central Asian republic is about the area of South Dakota. Different parts of the country can be easily accessed by air or land transport.