Moving to Kyrgyzstan: visas, cost of living & immigrant guide

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Population

5,964,897

Population Growth Rate

0.97%

Urban Population

35.300000

Population in Major Urban Areas

BISHKEK (capital) 839,000

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Age Structure

30.120000

Median Age

25.400000

Birth Rate - births/1,000 population

24

Death Rate - deaths/1,000 population

6.83

Total Fertility Rate - children born/woman

2.71

Contraceptive Prevalance Rate - female 12-49

47.8%

Contraceptive Prevalence Rate - female 12-49

47.8%

Mean Age for Mother's First Birth (age 25-49)

23.6

Mother's mean age at first birth

23.6

Sex Ratio at Birth - male/female

1.070000

Net Migration Rate - migrant(s)/1,000 population

-7.13

Ethnic Groups

Kyrgyz 64.9%, Uzbek 13.8%, Russian 12.5%, Dungan 1.1%, Ukrainian 1%, Uygur 1%, other 5.7% (1999 census)

Nationality Noun

Kyrgyzstani(s)

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Literacy - total population

98.7%

Literacy - male

99.3%

Literacy - female

98.1%

Literacy Definition

age 15 and over can read and write

Education Expenditures - percent of GDP

6.8%

Total School Life Expectancy - (primary to tertiary)

13.000000

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Life Expectancy at Birth

69.750000

Infant Mortality Rate

29.730000

Infant Mortality Rate - total deaths/1,000 live births

29.730000

Maternal Mortality Rate - deaths/100,000 live births

71

Physicians Density - physicians/1,000 population

2.47

Hospital Bed Density - beds/1,000 population

4.8

Health Expenditures - percent of GDP

6.2%

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

15.5%

Drinking Water Source - percent of urban population improved

97.100000

Sanitation Facility Access - percent of urban population improved

91.900000

Underweight - percent of children under five years

2.7%

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Economic Overview

Kyrgyzstan is a landlocked, mountainous, lower middle income country with an economy dominated by minerals extraction, agriculture, and reliance on remittances from citizens working abroad.

Cotton, wool, and meat are the main agricultural products, although only cotton is exported in any quantity.

Other exports include gold, mercury, uranium, natural gas, and - in some years - electricity.

The country has sought to attract foreign investment to expand its export base, including construction of hydroelectric dams, but a difficult investment climate and an ongoing legal battle with a Canadian firm over the joint ownership structure of the nation’s largest gold mine deter potential investors.

Remittances from Kyrgyz migrant workers, predominantly in Russia and Kazakhstan, are equivalent to more than one-quarter of Kyrgyzstan’s GDP.

Following independence, Kyrgyzstan rapidly implemented market reforms, such as improving the regulatory system and instituting land reform.

In 1998, Kyrgyzstan was the first Commonwealth of Independent States country to be accepted into the World Trade Organization.

The government has privatized much of its ownership shares in public enterprises.

Despite these reforms, the country suffered a severe drop in production in the early 1990s and has again faced slow growth in recent years as the global financial crisis and declining oil prices have dampened economies across Central Asia.

The Kyrgyz government remains dependent on foreign donor support to finance its annual budget deficit of approximately 3 to 5% of GDP.

Kyrgyz leaders hope the country’s August 2015 accession to the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) will bolster trade and investment, but slowing economies in Russia and China and low commodity prices continue to hamper economic growth.

Large-scale trade and investment pledged by Kyrgyz leaders has been slow to develop.

Many Kyrgyz entrepreneurs and politicians complain that non-tariff measures imposed by other EAEU member states are hurting certain sectors of the Kyrgyz economy, such as meat and dairy production, in which they have comparative advantage.

Since acceding to the EAEU, the Kyrgyz Republic has continued harmonizing its laws and regulations to meet EAEU standards, though many local entrepreneurs believe this process as disjointed and incomplete.

Kyrgyzstan’s economic development continues to be hampered by corruption, lack of administrative transparency, lack of diversity in domestic industries, and difficulty attracting foreign aid and investment.

Industries

small machinery, textiles, food processing, cement, shoes, sawn logs, refrigerators, furniture, electric motors, gold, rare earth metals

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$3,400.00 (USD)

GDP - real growth rate

2%

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GDP - Gross Domestic Product (PPP)

$31,020,000,000 (USD)

GDP Per Capita

$3,400.00 (USD)

GDP - real growth rate

2%

GDP - official exchange rate

$7,158,000,000 (USD)

GDP - composition, by end use

• consumption: 96.2% government
• consumption: 16.2% investment in fixed
• capital: 31.1% investment in
• inventories: 2.6% exports of goods and
• services: 32.9% imports of goods and
• services: -79%

GDP by Sector- agriculture

18%

GDP by Sector- Industry

25.5%

GDP by Sector- services

56.4%

Industrial Growth Rate

6%

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Inflation Rate

4.8%

Exchange Rate per US Dollar

Kyrgyzstani som (KGS)

Currency Name and Code

Som (KWD)

Fiscal Year

calendar year

Commercial Bank Prime Lending Rate

25%

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Labor Force

2,344,000

Unemployment Rate

18%

Major Industries

small machinery, textiles, food processing, cement, shoes, sawn logs, refrigerators, furniture, electric motors, gold, rare earth metals

Agriculture Products

tobacco, cotton, potatoes, vegetables, grapes, fruits and berries; sheep, goats, cattle, wool

Population Below Poverty Line

40%

Child Labor - # of children ages 5-14

563,920

Child Labor - % of children ages 5-14

40.3%

Child Labor - note

note: data represents children ages 5-17

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Labor Force By Occupation- agriculture

48%

Labor Force By Occupation- industry

12.5%

Labor Force By Occupation- services

39.5%

Annual Budget

$980,000,000 (USD)

Budget Surplus or Deficit - percent of GDP

-4.6%

Taxes and other revenues - percent of GDP

29.4%

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Full Country Name

Kyrgyz Republic

Country Name

Kyrgyzstan

Local - Long

Kyrgyz Respublikasy

Local - Short

Kyrgyzstan

Former Name

Kirghiz Soviet Socialist Republic

Etymology- history of name

a combination of the Turkic words "kyrg" (forty) and "-yz" (tribes) with the Persian suffix "-stan" (country) creating the meaning "Land of the Forty Tribes"; the name refers to the 40 clans united by the mythic Kyrgyz hero, MANAS

Independence

31 August 1991 (from the Soviet Union)

National Holiday

Independence Day, 31 August (1991)

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Government Type

parliamentary republic

Constitution

• history: previous 1993, 2007, 2010; latest approved by referendum in April 2021 that transitioned Kyrgyzstan from a parliamentary to a presidential system, and implemented changes that allow the president to serve for two 5-year terms rather than one 6-year term, reduced the number of seats in Kyrgyzstan's legislature from 120 to 90, and established a Kurultay - a public advisory council
• amendments: proposed as a draft law by the majority of the Supreme Council membership or by petition of 300,000 voters; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote of the Council membership in each of at least three readings of the draft two months apart; the draft may be submitted to a referendum if approved by two thirds of the Council membership; adoption requires the signature of the president

Legal System:

civil law system, which includes features of French civil law and Russian Federation laws

Executive Branch:

• chief of state: President Sadyr JAPAROV (since 28 January 2021)
• head of government: President Adylbek KASYMALIYEV (since 18 December 2024)
• cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president election/appointment
• process: president directly elected by absolute-majority popular vote in 2 rounds, if needed, for a five-year term (eligible for a second term) most recent election
• date: 10 January 2021
• election results: 2021: Sadyr JAPAROV elected president in first round; percent of vote - Sadyr JAPAROV (Mekenchil) 79.2%, Adakhan MADUMAROV (United Kyrgyzstan) 6.8%, other 14% 2017: Sooronbay JEENBEKOV elected president; Sooronbay JEENBEKOV (Social Democratic Party of Kyrgyzstan) 54.7%, Omurbek BABANOV (independent) 33.8%, Adakhan MADUMAROV (United Kyrgyzstan) 6.6%, other 4.9% expected date of next
• election: 2027
• note: the president is both chief of state and head of government

Legislative Branch:

• Description: unicameral Supreme Council or Jogorku Kenesh (90 seats statutory, current 88; 54 seats allocated for proportional division among political party lists from the national vote and 36 seats allocated for candidates running in single-seat constituencies; members serve 5-year terms; parties must receive 5% of the vote to win seats in the Council)
• Elections: last held on 28 November 2021 (next to be held in 2026)
• Election Results: percent of vote by party - Ata-Jurt Kyrgyzstan or AJK 17.3%, Ishenim 15%, Yntymak 12.1%, Alyans 9.2%, Butun Kyrgyzstan 7.8%, Yiman Nuru 6.8%, other 30%; seats by party - AJK 15, Ishenim 12, Yntymak 9, Alyns 7, Butun Kyrgyzstan 6, Yiman Nuru 5, other 36;
• Composition: men 70, women 18, percent of women 20%

Judicial Branch:

• office: Supreme Court and Constitutional Court judges appointed by the Supreme Council on the recommendation of the president; Supreme Court judges serve for 10 years, Constitutional Court judges serve for 15 years; mandatory retirement at age 70 for judges of both courts
• subordinate courts: Higher Court of Arbitration; oblast (provincial) and city courts

Regions or States:

7 provinces (oblustar, singular - oblus) and 2 cities* (shaarlar, singular - shaar); Batken Oblusu, Bishkek Shaary*, Chuy Oblusu (Bishkek), Jalal-Abad Oblusu, Naryn Oblusu, Osh Oblusu, Osh Shaary*, Talas Oblusu, Ysyk-Kol Oblusu (Karakol) note: administrative divisions have the same names as their administrative centers (exceptions have the administrative center name following in parentheses)

Political Parties and Leaders:

• Alyans (Alliance) [Mirlan JEENCHOROEV]
• Ata-Jurt Kyrgyzstan (Homeland) or AJK [Aybek MATKERIMOV]
• Butun Kyrgyzstan (United) [Adakhan MADUMAROV]
• Ishenim (Trust) [Rysbat AMATOV and Azamat DOROYEV]
• Social Democrats or SDK [Temirlan SULTANBEKOV]
• Yntymak (Unity) [Marlen MAMATALIEV]
• Yiman Nuru (Light of Faith) [Nurjigit KADYRBEKOV]

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Citizenship Criteria:

• birth: no citizenship by descent
• only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Kyrgyzstan dual citizenship
• recognized: yes, but only if a mutual treaty on dual citizenship is in force residency requirement for
• naturalization: 5 years

Capital Name

Bishkek

Capital - geographic coordinate

42 52 N, 74 36 E

Capital Time Difference

UTC+6 (11 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

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International Organization Participation:

• ADB
• CICA
• CIS
• CSTO
• EAEU
• EAPC
• EBRD
• ECO
• EITI (compliant country)
• FAO
• GCTU
• IAEA
• IBRD
• ICAO
• ICC (NGOs)
• ICRM
• IDA
• IDB
• IFAD
• IFC
• IFRCS
• ILO
• IMF
• Interpol
• IOC
• IOM
• IPU
• ISO (correspondent)
• ITSO
• ITU
• MIGA
• NAM (observer)
• OIC
• OPCW
• OSCE
• PCA
• PFP
• SCO
• UN
• UNAMID
• UNCTAD
• UNESCO
• UNIDO
• UNISFA
• UNMIL
• UNMISS
• UNWTO
• UPU
• WCO
• WFTU (NGOs)
• WHO
• WIPO
• WMO
• WTO

International Law Organization Participation:

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

Diplomatic Representation from US:

• Chief of Mission: Ambassador Lesslie VIGUERIE (since 29 December 2022)
• Embassy: 171 Prospect Mira, Bishkek 720016
• Mailing Address: 7040 Bishkek Place, Washington DC 20521-7040
• Telephone: [996] (312) 597-000
• FAX: [996] (312) 597-744
• Email: ConsularBishkek@state.gov
• Website: https://kg.usembassy.gov/

Diplomatic Representation in the US:

• Chief of Mission: Ambassador Baktybek AMANBAEV (since 7 July 2021)
• Chancery: 2360 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
• Telephone: [1] (202) 449-9822
• FAX: [1] (202) 449-8275
• Email: kgembassy.usa@mfa.gov.kg

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Geographic Location

Asia

Geographic Coordinates

41 00 N, 75 00 E

Total Area

77,201 Square Miles 199,951 Square Kilometers

Land Area

74,054 Square Miles 191,801 Square Kilometers

Water Area

3,147 Square Miles 8,150 Square Kilometers

Land Boundaries

1,896 Miles 3,051 Kilometers

Border Countries

China 858 km, Kazakhstan 1,051 km, Tajikistan 870 km, Uzbekistan 1,099 km

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Terrain

peaks of Tien Shan and associated valleys and basins encompass entire nation

Highest Point

7,439 Meters

Highest Point Location

Jengish Chokusu (Pik Pobedy) 7,439 m

Lowest Point

132 Meters

Lowest Point Location

Kara-Daryya (Karadar'ya) 132 m

Natural Resources

• abundant hydropower
• significant deposits of gold and rare earth metals
• locally exploitable coal, oil, and natural gas
• other deposits of nepheline, mercury, bismuth, lead, and zinc

Irrigated Land

3,942 Square Miles 10,210 Square Kilometers

Time Zone

UTC+6 (11 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

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Climate

The Kyrgyz Republic is positioned near the middle of the Eurasian landmass, and there is no body of water large enough to influence weather patterns.

Those factors create a distinctly continental climate that has significant local variations.

Although the mountains tend to collect clouds and block sunlight (reducing some narrow valleys at certain times of year to no more than three or four hours of sunlight per day), the country is generally sunny, receiving as much as 2,900 hours of sunlight per year in some areas.

The same conditions also affect temperatures, which can vary significantly from place to place.

In January the warmest average temperature (24.8°F, -4°C) occurs around the southern city of Osh, and around Lake Issyk-Kul.

The latter, which has a volume of 416 cubic miles (1738 cubic kilometers), does not freeze in winter.

Indeed, its name means "hot lake" in Kyrgyz.

The coldest temperatures are in mountain valleys.

There, readings can fall to -22°F (30°C) or lower; the record is -64°F (-53.6°C) .

The average temperature for July similarly varies from 81°F (27°C) in the Fergana Valley, where the record high is 111°F (44°C) , to a low of 14°F (-10°C) on the highest mountain peaks.

Precipitation varies from 79 inches per year in the mountains above the Fergana Valley to less than 4 inches per year on the west bank of Issyk-Kul.

Bishkek's weather is fairly mild.

In Bishkek, nighttime temperatures in January can be in the teens (Fahrenheit), but daytime temperatures often rise to above freezing, enough for snow and ice to begin melting.

Summer temperatures can rise above 90°F (32°C) by the end of May.

The air is dry year round.

Terrain

peaks of Tien Shan and associated valleys and basins encompass entire nation

Location

Central Asia, west of China, south of Kazakhstan

Total Area

77,201 Square Miles 199,951 Square Kilometers

Border Countries

China 858 km, Kazakhstan 1,051 km, Tajikistan 870 km, Uzbekistan 1,099 km

Environment - Current Issues

• water pollution
• many people get their water directly from contaminated streams and wells
• as a result, water-borne diseases are prevalent
• increasing soil salinity from faulty irrigation practices

Environment - International Agreements

party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

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Exports

$1,682,000,000 (USD)

Imports

$3,075,000,000 (USD)

Major Exports

cotton, wool, meat, tobacco; gold, mercury, uranium, natural gas, hydropower; machinery; shoes

Major Imports

oil and gas, machinery and equipment, chemicals, foodstuffs

Top Export Partners

Switzerland 19.8%, Russia 16.5%, UAE 14.2%, China 8.4%, Kazakhstan 7.6%, US 7.4%, Uzbekistan 5.8%

Top Import Partners

Kazakhstan 21.1%, Russia 19.9%, Uzbekistan 10.2%, China 10.1%, US 8%, Germany 5.3%

Export Partners

Switzerland 19.8%, Russia 16.5%, UAE 14.2%, China 8.4%, Kazakhstan 7.6%, US 7.4%, Uzbekistan 5.8%

Import Partners

Kazakhstan 21.1%, Russia 19.9%, Uzbekistan 10.2%, China 10.1%, US 8%, Germany 5.3%

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Country Description

The Kyrgyz Republic is a mountainous country of 5.5 million people.

In April 2010, violence led to the collapse of the previous government and the subsequent formation of a provisional government.

In June 2010, inter-ethnic violence killed hundreds of people and wounded thousands in the south of the country.

The provisional government successfully held a constitutional referendum in June and parliamentary elections took place without violence in October 2010.

A new government was formed on December 17, 2010.

The country held competitive presidential elections in October 2011, and President Atambayev took office on December 1, 2011.

Though the referendum and both elections took place without incident, unrest and ethnic tensions could flare up unexpectedly.

Despite recent economic growth and modest natural resources, the country grapples with substantial poverty, and the tourist industry is not highly developed.

Air and land travel internally and to neighboring countries is limited and can be subject to delays due to infrastructure shortcomings and winter weather.

Rural and urban areas are subject to power, natural gas, and water outages, leaving many homes without running water, heat, or electricity at times.

Safety & Security

Bishkek is a large city of 1.1 million people.

The greatest threats to tourists and travelers are traffic accidents and street crime.

That said, the country continues to stabilize itself after the violence of 2010.

Terrorism is an enduring threat, especially in the southern part of the country.

The Department of State suggests that U.S. citizens limit travel to the Batken Oblast where violence broke out several times in recent years.

Ethnic, political, and socio-economic tensions continue to exist in southern Kyrgyzstan, including the cities of Osh and Jalalabad, the second and third largest cities in Kyrgyzstan, although there have been no widespread incidents of violence since 2010.

As of December 2012, however, the immediate threat of violence appears to have subsided in the south, although ethnic, political, and socio-economic tensions continue to exist.

Travel of U.S. government employees to Batken is currently restricted.

Land mines in Batken Oblast and near the Kyrgyz-Tajik border continue to be a concern.

Areas along the Kyrgyz-Uzbek and Kyrgyz-Tajik borders continue to have small, but sometimes violent and deadly, skirmishes between border guards on both sides, and often include civilians.

Organized crime and narcotics trafficking are widespread in southern Kyrgyzstan.

In late 2010, Kyrgyz security forces carried out a series of operations against groups the government claims are Islamic extremists seeking to destabilize the country.

These security operations resulted in the death or arrest of several suspects, and several members of the Kyrgyz security forces.

These militants are blamed for carrying out a home invasion, planting a car bomb near a Bishkek police station, and detonating an improvised explosive device outside the venue of a large trial in downtown Bishkek resulting in some property damage and minor injuries.

In late November 2010, Kyrgyz Special Forces mounted an operation against suspected terrorists in Osh, resulting in the deaths of all four suspects and the wounding of two special-forces officers.

In October 2012, the Kyrgyz government also arrested five individuals with alleged ties to terrorists and extremist groups.

Additionally, Kyrgyz security officials found and confiscated large caches of weapons, including machine guns and explosive materials.

Though the situation is now relatively stable, demonstrations can break out without advance notice.

During times of political unrest, demonstrators often gather in front of the Presidential Administration building (White House), the Parliament, and on Alatoo Square in Bishkek’s city center.

The Embassy does not always have advance information regarding demonstrations.

All U.S. citizens are reminded to avoid the vicinity of any protests, because even protests that are intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence.

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Crime

The U.S.

Embassy advises U.S. citizens to exercise caution in urban areas of the Kyrgyz Republic due to the high rate of violent crime against foreigners.

There have been reports of violent muggings of foreigners in downtown Bishkek at night.

Other common crimes include auto theft and pick pocketing in crowded places such as markets, internet cafes, and on public transportation.

After dark, travelers should not take public transportation or walk outside and should be extremely cautious in or near hotels, bars, parks, and all places that attract an expatriate clientele.

The U.S.

Embassy advises its employees to avoid the use of unlicensed cabs and recommends using only radio dispatched taxis.

Travelers arriving at Manas International Airport should arrange their transportation from the airport in advance.

There have been reports of U.S. citizens who were robbed by groups of young men who had followed them back to their residences from hotels and bars.

In addition, U.S. citizens have been victims of rape, assault, and kidnapping in the past in the Kyrgyz Republic.

Police officers rarely speak English and there are no victims’ assistance programs available.

Medical care and counseling services for victims are limited.

Harassment and extortion by people who purport to be Kyrgyz police officers take place occasionally.

According to Kyrgyz law, any person claiming to be a police officer must show identifying documents on demand.

U.S. citizens should not act upon requests by people, whether in civilian dress or in police uniform, if they have no official identification.

U.S. citizens also should not get into cars with anyone they do not know, even if the person claims to be a police officer.

Don’t buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even if they are widely available.

Not only are the bootlegs illegal in the United States, if you purchase them you may be breaking local law.

You could be prosecuted under U.S. law for pirated goods you purchased in the Kyrgyz Republic.

Criminal Penalties

While you are traveling in the Kyrgyz Republic, you are subject to its laws even if you are a U.S. citizen.

Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different than our own.

In some places you may be taken in for questioning if you don’t have your passport with you.

In some places, it is illegal to take pictures of certain buildings.

In some places, driving under the influence could land you immediately in jail.

These criminal penalties will vary from country to country.

There are also some things that might be legal in the country you visit, but still illegal in the United States, and you can be prosecuted under U.S. law if you buy pirated goods.

Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime prosecutable in the United States.

If you break local laws in the Kyrgyz Republic, your U.S. passport won’t help you avoid arrest or prosecution.

It’s very important to know what’s legal and what’s not wherever you go. .

In the Kyrgyz Republic, you may be taken in by police for questioning if you do not have your passport with you.

Driving under the influence of alcohol, no matter how little you consumed, is considered a serious offense.

Persons violating Kyrgyz Republic laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned.

Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking in illegal drugs in the Kyrgyz Republic are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines.

While some countries will automatically notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate if a U.S. citizen is detained or arrested in a foreign country, that might not always be the case.

To ensure that the United States is aware of your circumstances, request that the police and prison officials notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate as soon as you are arrested or detained overseas.

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Medical Facilities

Medical services in the Kyrgyz Republic are extremely limited.

Elderly travelers and those with existing health problems may be at risk due to inadequate medical facilities.

Medications such as insulin and pain medications that are commonly available elsewhere may not be available in the Kyrgyz Republic or may be restricted.

The U.S.

Embassy strongly recommends that travelers to the Kyrgyz Republic carry medical evacuation insurance in case of emergency.

Traffic Safety

While in the Kyrgyz Republic, you may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States.

Accidents involving severe injury and/or death are not uncommon.

Drunk driving and hit-and-run accidents are significant problems and drivers should exercise particular caution and use defensive driving techniques, especially at night and on holidays.

In the event of an accident where there is an injury, emergency medical assistance may be very slow to respond.

Even if medical assistance does arrive in a timely manner, treatment and facilities available at local clinics may not meet U.S. standards.

Most of the Kyrgyz Republic’s road infrastructure consists of two-lane roads, many of which have fallen into disrepair and are poorly marked and lit.

Many local drivers disobey fundamental traffic laws by not stopping at red lights, driving while intoxicated, passing vehicles when it is dangerous or prohibited to do so, or not stopping for pedestrians at crosswalks and intersections.

Drivers must exercise particular caution to avoid uneven pavement, potholes, open drains, and uncovered manholes.

Night driving should be avoided, as roads are inadequately lit.

In winter, roads are seldom plowed and ice and snow make the poor driving conditions even more hazardous.

Pedestrians routinely walk in the road, often wearing dark clothes at night.

Mountain roads in the Kyrgyz Republic are often narrow and treacherous, and may close without notice due to snow, ice, or rockslides.

Guardrails and barriers preventing falling rocks are often missing.

Driving through mountain passes in the winter can be very dangerous.

The Kyrgyz Republic does not have a roadside assistance infrastructure.

Towing companies do not exist.

Although mechanics are available in cities there is little organized oversight or certification of their practices or abilities.

Rest areas are infrequent and basic.

Service stations are generally available in and near cities, but the fuel they provide may be adulterated or of poor quality.

The road between Almaty, Kazakhstan, and Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic, is especially unsafe at night or during poor weather.

Travel on this route after dark by U.S.

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Airports - total

28

Airports with Paved Runways

18

Railways

292 Miles 470 Kilometers

Roadways- total

21,127 Miles 34,000 Kilometers

Waterways

373 Miles 600 Kilometers

Ports and Terminals

Balykchy (Ysyk-Kol or Rybach'ye)

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Pipelines: Gas

298 Miles 480 Kilometers

Pipelines: Oil

10 Miles 16 Kilometers

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Telephones

498,300

Cell Phones

2,152,000

Internet Users

750,000

Internet Country Code

.kg

Internet Hosts

97,976

Broadcast Media

• state-run TV broadcaster operates 2 nationwide networks and 6 regional stations
• roughly 20 private TV stations operating with most rebroadcasting other channels
• state-run radio broadcaster operates 2 networks
• about 20 private radio stations

Telephone System

• assessment: telecommunications infrastructure is being upgraded; loans from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) are being used to install a digital network, digital radio-relay stations, and fiber-optic links
• domestic: fixed-line penetration remains low and concentrated in urban areas; multiple mobile-cellular service providers with growing coverage; mobile-cellular subscribership was about 115 per 100 persons in 2011
• international: country code - 996; connections with other CIS countries by landline or microwave radio relay and with other countries by leased connections with Moscow international gateway switch and by satellite; satellite earth stations - 2 (1 Intersputnik, 1 Intelsat); connected internationally by the Trans-Asia-Europe (TAE) fiber-optic line

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Electricity Consumption- Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

9,000,000,000

Electricity Exports- Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

2,379,000,000

Electricity Production- Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

15,960,000,000

Natural Gas Consumption - Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

462,500,000

Natural Gas Imports- Cubic Meters (cu m)

390,000,000

Natural Gas Production- Cubic Meters (cu m)

10,000,000

Natural Gas Reserves- Cubic Meters (cu m)

5,663,000,000

Oil Consumption- Barrels Per Day (bbl/day)

16,640

Oil Production- Barrels Per Day (bbl/day)

1,990

Oil Reserves- Barrels Per Day (bbl/day)

40,000,000

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Anthem History

Kyrgyzstan adopted a brand new anthem upon independence in 1992. the words were written by Djamil Sadykov and Eshmambet Kuluev and the music by Nasyr Davlesov and Kalyi Moldobasanov

Anthem Lyrics

Ak möngülüü aska yoolor, talaalar, Elibizdin zhany menen barabar, Sansyz kyldym Ala-Toosun mekendep, Saktap kaldy bizdin ata-babalar!

CHORUS: Algaí ber, kyrgyz el, Azattyktyn zholunda, Örkündöí ber, ösö ber, Öz tagdyrdyn kolunda!

Baíyrtadan bütkön münöz elime, Dostoruna daíar dilin berüügö, Bul yntymak el birdigin shiretip, Beíkuttuktu beret kyrgyz zherine.

CHORUS Atkarylyp eldin ümüt, tilegi, Zhelbiredi erkindiktin zheligi, Bizge zhetken ata saltyn murasyn, Yíyk saktap urpaktarga bereli!

CHORUS

Anthem Lyrics English

High mountains, valleys and fields Are our native, holy land.

Our fathers lived amidst the Ala-Toe, Always saving their motherland.

CHORUS: Come on, Kyrgyz people, Come on to freedom!

Stand up and flourish!

Create your fortune!

We are open for freedom for ages.

Friendship and unity are in our hearts. the land of Kyrgyzstan, our native state, Shining in the rays of consent.

CHORUS Dreams of the people came true, And the flag of liberty is over us.

The heritage of our fathers we will Pass to our sons for the benefit of people.

CHORUS