Difference between revisions 112116 and 112165 on kmwiki

{{Infobox Republic
|native_name              =<span style="line-height:1.33em;">Российская Федерация<br />Кыргыз Республикасы</span>
|conventional_long_name   =<span style="line-height:1.33em;">សហព័ន្ធ​គាហ្គីស</span>
|common_name              =គាហ្គីស្ថាន
|national_anthem          =Kyrgyz Respublikasynyn Mamlekettik Gimni{{spaces|2}}<small>(Russian)</small><br />''ភ្លេងជាតិសហព័ន្ធ​គាហ្គីស''{{spaces|2}}<small>
(contracted; show full)

Kyrgyzstan is one of the active members of the [[Turkic Council]] and the [[TÜRKSOY]] community. The national language, [[Kyrgyz language|Kyrgyz]], is also closely related to the other [[Turkic languages]], with which it shares strong cultural and [[Turkic peoples|historical ties]]. 

Additionally, Kyrgyzstan is a member of the [[Commonwealth of Independent States]], the [[Eurasian Economic Community]], the [[Non-aligned movement]] and the [[Organisation of Islamic Cooperation]].

== 
Etymologyនិរុត្តិសាស្ត្រ ==
"[[Kyrgyz (disambiguation)|Kyrgyz]]" is believed to have been derived from the Turkic word for "forty", in reference to the forty clans of [[Epic of Manas|Manas]], a legendary hero who united forty regional clans against the [[Uyghur Khaganate|Uyghurs]]. Literally it means ''We are forty''. At the time, in the early 9th century AD, the Uyghurs dominated much of Central Asia (including Kyrgyzstan), Mongolia, and parts of Russia and China.<ref>[http://www.sras.org/news2.phtml?m=483 Forty tribes and the 40-ray sun on the flag of Kyrgyzstan], SRAS–The School of Russian and Asian Studies</ref>

The 40-ray sun on the [[flag of Kyrgyzstan]] is a reference to those same forty tribes and the graphical element in the sun's center depicts the wooden crown of a [[yurt]] – a portable dwelling traditionally used by nomads in the steppes of Central Asia.

== Historyប្រវត្តិសាស្ត្រ ==
{{Main|History of Kyrgyzstan}}

=== Early historyប្រវត្តិដើម ===
[[ឯកសារ:NestorianTombstoneIssykKul1312.jpg|thumb|left|150px|[[Nestorian Church|Nestorian]] tombstone with inscriptions in [[Uyghur alphabet|Uyghur]], found in [[Issyk Kul]], dated 1312]]
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Kyrgyz tribes were overrun in the 17th century by the Mongol [[Oirats]], in the mid-18th century by the [[Manchu]] Qing Dynasty, and in the early 19th century by the Uzbek [[Khanate of Kokand]].<ref>"[http://countrystudies.us/kyrgyzstan/2.htm Kyrgyzstan–Mongol Domination]" [[Library of Congress Country Studies]].</ref>

=== 
Russian eraសម័យរុស្ស៊ី ===
[[ឯកសារ:Перекочевка киргизов.jpg|thumb|Kyrgyz nomads, 1869-1870, by Vasily Vereshchagin]]
In the late nineteenth century, the majority part of what is today Kyrgyzstan was ceded to Russia through two treaties between China (then [[Qing Dynasty]]) and Russia. The territory, then known in Russian as "Kirgizia", was formally incorporated into the [[Russian Empire]] in 1876. The Russian takeover was met with numerous revolts against Tsarist authority, and many of the Kyrgyz opted to move to the [[Pamir Mountains]] and [[Afghanistan]].

In addition, the suppression of the [[Central Asian Revolt|1916 rebellion]] against Russian rule in [[Central Asia]] caused many Kyrgyz later to migrate to [[China]].<ref>"[http://countrystudies.us/uzbekistan/10.htm Uzbekistan – The Jadidists and Basmachis]". [[Library of Congress Country Studies]].</ref> Since many ethnic groups in the region were (and still are) split between neighboring states at a time when borders were more porous and less regulated, it was common to move back and forth over the mountains, depending on where life was perceived as better; this might mean better rains for pasture or better government during oppression.

=== Soviet eraសម័យសូវៀត ===

[[ឯកសារ:Bischkek.jpg|thumb|right|[[Bishkek]]]] 

[[ឯកសារ:E7901-Bishkek-museum-Lenin-carpet.jpg|thumb|right|Displays in the former Lenin Museum (now part of the National Museum) celebrated Kyrgyzstan's membership in the Soviet Union]]

(contracted; show full)tate Emergency Committee]] assumed power in [[Moscow]], there was an attempt to depose Akayev in Kyrgyzstan. After the coup collapsed the following week, Akayev and Vice President German Kuznetsov announced their resignations from the [[Communist Party of the Soviet Union]] (CPSU), and the entire bureau and secretariat resigned. This was followed by the Supreme Soviet vote declaring independence from the Soviet Union on 31 August 1991 as the '''Republic of Kyrgyzstan'''.

=== 
Independenceឯករាជ្យ ===
In October 1991, Akayev ran unopposed and was elected president of the new independent Republic by direct ballot, receiving 95% of the votes cast. Together with the representatives of seven other Republics that same month, he signed the Treaty of the New Economic Community. Finally, on 21 December 1991, Kyrgyzstan joined with the other four Central Asian Republics to formally enter the new [[Commonwealth of Independent States]]. Kyrgyzstan gained full independence a few days later on 25 December 1991. (contracted; show full)o neighboring [[Kazakhstan]], along with his wife and two children. The country's provisional leaders announced that Bakiyev signed a formal letter of resignation prior to his departure.<ref name="yahoo1">{{cite web|url=http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100415/ap_on_re_as/as_kyrgyzstan |title=Kyrgyzstan's deposed president flies to Kazakhstan – Yahoo! News |publisher=News.yahoo.com |date=2010-04-09 |accessdate=2010-04-17}} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref>

=== 
2010 riots ===
==== April riotsកុប្បកម្ម២០១០ ===
==== កុប្បកម្មមេសា ====
{{Main|2010 Kyrgyzstani riots}}
{{plot|section|date=January 2012}}
On 6 April 2010, a demonstration in [[Talas, Kyrgyzstan|Talas]] protested against government corruption and increased living expenses. The protests turned violent and spread nationwide. There were conflicting reports that Interior Minister [[Moldomusa Kongatiyev]] had been beaten. On 7 April 2010, Kyrgyz President [[Kurmanbek Bakiyev]] imposed a state of emergency. Police and special services arrested many opposition leaders. In respon(contracted; show full)yz forces arrested party leader [[Urmat Baryktabasov]] on suspicion of plotting an overthrow of the government, after troops allegedly fired blank rounds into a crowd trying to join mass demonstrations near the Parliament in the capital Bishkek. Acting President Roza Otunbayeva said security forces seized firearms and grenades from him and 26 supporters.<ref>[http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_asiapacific/view/1073641/1/.html "Attempted coup rocks tense Kyrgyzstan"]</ref>

== 
Politicsនយោបាយសាស្ត្រ ==
{{Main|Politics of Kyrgyzstan}}
The [[1993–2010 Constitution of Kyrgyzstan|1993 constitution]] defines the form of government as a democratic republic. The executive branch includes a president and prime minister. The parliament currently is unicameral. The judicial branch comprises a Supreme Court, local courts and a Chief Prosecutor.
[[ឯកសារ:Atambayev.jpg|thumb|right|[[Almazbek Atambayev]], the president since December 2011.]]

(contracted; show full)ani revolution|April uprising]], announced that she did not intend to run for the [[Kyrgyz presidential election, 2011|Presidential elections in 2011]]. The election was held in November and won by [[Almazbek Atambayev]], leader of the [[Social Democratic Party of Kyrgyzstan|Social Democratic Party]] and the then-Prime Minister. Atambayev was sworn in as the President on 1 December 2011 and [[Omurbek Babanov]] was appointed the new Prime Minister on the same day and was confirmed on 23 December 2011.

=== 
Human rightsសិទ្ធិមនុស្ស ===
{{Main|Human rights in Kyrgyzstan}}

In a move that alarmed human rights groups, dozens of prominent Uzbek religious and community leaders were arrested by security forces following the [[2010 South Kyrgyzstan riots]], including journalist and human rights activist [[Azimzhan Askarov]].<ref name="Kramer">{{cite news |title=Uzbeks Accused of Inciting Violence in Kyrgyzstan |author=Andrew E. Kramer |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/02/world/asia/02kyrgyzstan.html?scp=1&sq=askarov&st=cse |newspaper=''[[The New York Times]]'' |date=1 July 2010 |accessdate=16 April 2011}}</ref>

=== Militaryយោធា ===
{{Main|Military of Kyrgyzstan}}

== Provinces and districtsខេត្ត និង ស្រុក ==
{{Main|Provinces of Kyrgyzstan|Raions of Kyrgyzstan}}
Kyrgyzstan is divided into seven [[province]]s (sing. ''[[oblast]]'' (область), pl. ''oblasttar'' (областтар)) administered by appointed governors. The capital, [[Bishkek]], and the second largest city [[Osh]] are administratively [[independent city|independent cities]] (''shaar'') with a status equal to a province.

{{Kyrgyzstan Provinces Image Map}}
The provinces, and independent cities, are as follows:
# [[Bishkek|City of Bishkek]]
# [[Batken Province|Batken]]
# [[Chuy Province|Chuy]]
# [[Jalal-Abad Province|Jalal-Abad]]
# [[Naryn Province|Naryn]]
# [[Osh Province|Osh]]
# [[Talas Province|Talas]]
# [[Issyk Kul Province|Issyk-Kul]]
# [[Osh|City of Osh]]

Each province comprises a number of districts (''[[raion]]s''), administered by government-appointed officials (''akim''). Rural communities (''ayıl ökmötü''), consisting of up to 20 small settlements, have their own elected [[mayor]]s and [[Local Government|councils]].

== Geographyភូមិសាស្ត្រ ==
[[ឯកសារ:Kyrgyzstan.png|thumb|right|Map of Kyrgyzstan]]
[[ឯកសារ:Kyrgyzstan-mountains in summer panorama.jpg|thumb|right|[[Tian Shan]] mountain range in Kyrgyzstan.]]
[[ឯកសារ:Kyrgyzstan topography.pdf|thumb|right|Topography of Kyrgyzstan]]
[[ឯកសារ:Apple orchard.JPG|thumb|right|Orchard near in [[Issyk Kul Province]].]]
{{Main|Geography of Kyrgyzstan}}

(contracted; show full)

The confluence forms the [[Syr Darya]], which originally flowed into the [[Aral Sea]]. {{As of|2010}}, it no longer reaches the sea, as its water is withdrawn upstream to irrigate cotton fields in [[Tajikistan]], [[Uzbekistan]], and southern [[Kazakhstan]]. The [[Chu River]] also briefly flows through Kyrgyzstan before entering Kazakhstan.

=== 
Climateអាកាសធាតុ ===
{{Main|Climate of Kyrgyzstan}}
The climate varies regionally. The south-western [[Fergana Valley]] is [[subtropical climate|subtropical]] and extremely hot in [[summer]], with temperatures reaching {{convert|40|°C}} The northern [[foothill]]s are [[temperate climate|temperate]] and the [[Tian Shan]] varies from dry [[continental climate|continental]] to [[polar climate]], depending on elevation. In the coldest areas temperatures are sub-zero for around 40 days in winter, and even some [[desert]] areas (contracted; show full)

There also are two enclaves belonging to [[Tajikistan]]: [[Vorukh]] (exclave area between {{convert|95|-|130|km2|abbr=on}}, population estimated between 23,000 and 29,000, 95% Tajiks and 5% Kyrgyz, distributed among 17 villages), located {{convert|45|km}} south of [[Isfara]] on the right bank of the Karafshin river, and a small settlement near the Kyrgyz railway station of [[Kairagach]].

== 
Economyសេដ្ឋកិច្ច ==
{{Main|Economy of Kyrgyzstan}}
[[ឯកសារ:BishkekBuildings.jpg|thumb|Old and new [[Bishkek]] buildings]]

Kyrgyzstan was the second poorest country in the former [[Soviet Union]], and is today the second poorest country in [[Central Asia]]. According to CIA World Factbook, in 2011, a third of the country's population lived below the poverty line<ref>[https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2046.html CIA World Factbook. "Percentage of population below the poverty l(contracted; show full)

The principal exports are nonferrous metals and minerals, woolen goods and other agricultural products, electric energy and certain engineering goods. Imports include petroleum and natural gas, ferrous metals, chemicals, most machinery, wood and paper products, some foods and some construction materials. Its leading trade partners include [[Germany]], [[Russia]], [[China]], [[Kazakhstan]], and [[Uzbekistan]].

== 
Demographicsប្រជាសាស្ត្រ ==
[[ឯកសារ:Pyramide Kirghizistan.PNG|thumb|300px|right|Age distribution pyramid (2005)]]
{{Main|Demographics of Kyrgyzstan}}

Kyrgyzstan's population is estimated at 5.2 million in 2007.<ref name=ethnic/> Of those, 34.4% are under the age of 15 and 6.2% are over 65. The country is [[rural]]: only about one-third of population live in urban areas. The average [[population density]] is 25 people per km². 
(contracted; show full)een emigrating to Germany.<ref>"''[http://books.google.com/books?id=XRXVbGwPgqIC&pg=PA132&dq&hl=en#v=onepage&q=&f=false The Kyrgyz – Children of Manas.]''". Petr Kokaisl, Pavla Kokaislova (2009). p.132. ISBN 80-254-6365-6</ref> Between 1991 and 2002, more than 600,000 people emigrated from Kyrgyzstan and the ethnic minority population declined from 47 to 33 percent.<ref name="conflict"/>
{{Largest cities of Kyrgyz Republic}}

== 
Languagesភាសា ==
Kyrgyzstan is one of the two former Soviet republics in Central Asia to retain [[Russian language|Russian]] as an [[official language]] ([[Kazakhstan]] is the other). It added the [[Kyrgyz language]] to become an officially bilingual country in September 1991. This bilingualism was intended to signal to the ethnic Russians that they were welcome in the new independent state, in an effort to avoid a [[brain drain]].{{Citation needed|date=April 2010}}

[[Kyrgyz language|Kyrgyz]] is a member of the [[Turkic languages|Turkic group]] of languages and was written in the [[Arabic alphabet]] until the twentieth century. [[Latin alphabet|Latin script]] was introduced and adopted in 1928, and was subsequently replaced by [[Cyrillic script#Kyrgyz|Cyrillic script]] in 1941.

Generally, people understand and speak Russian all over the country, except for some remote mountain areas.{{Citation needed|date=January 2011}} Russian is the mother tongue of the majority of Bishkek dwellers, and most business and political affairs are carried out in this language. Until recently, Kyrgyz remained a language spoken at home and was rarely used during meetings or other events. However, most parliamentary meetings today are conducted in Kyrgyz, with simultaneous interpretation available for those not speaking Kyrgyz.

== Sportsកីឡា ==
{{See also|Rugby union in Kyrgyzstan}}

[[ឯកសារ:Bandy 2012. KYR - JPN.JPG|thumb|300px|right|Kyrgyzstan in red against Japan]]
[[Association football|Football]] is the most popular sport in Kyrgyzstan. The official governing body is the [[Football Federation of Kyrgyz Republic]], which was founded in 1992, after the split of the [[Soviet Union]]. It administers the [[Kyrgyzstan national football team]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Kyrgyzstan|url=http://www.fifa.com/associations/association=kgz/index.html|(contracted; show full)&pagenum=1&id=1269] The Kyrgyz national team took Kyrgyzstan's first medal at the [[Asian Winter Games]], when they captured the bronze.[http://info.astana-almaty2011.kz/en/Comp.mvc/Info/MedalList/BAM400000] They played in the [[Bandy World Championship 2012]],[http://bandy2012.kz/en/teams.html] their first appearance in that tournament.<ref>[http://www.bandy.or.jp/_userdata/teampictureFeb2.jpg Team picture with Japan after their first meeting in the World Championships]</ref>

== 
Cultureវប្បធម៌ ==
{{Main|Culture of Kyrgyzstan}}
[[ឯកសារ:Kyrgyz Musicians in Karakol.jpg|thumb|Musicians playing traditional Kyrgyz music.]]
* ''[[Manas (epic)|Manas]]'', an [[epic poem]]
* ''[[Komuz]]'', a three-stringed lute
* ''[[Tush kyiz]]'', large, elaborately embroidered wall hangings
* ''Shirdak'', flat cushions made in shadow-pairs<ref>{{cite web|author=Iliyas Aidar |url=http://www.kyrgyzstyle.kg/production/shirdaks/index.htm |title=Kyrgyz Style – Production – Souvenirs |publisher=Kyrgyzstyle.kg |date= |accessdate=2010-05-02}}</ref>
* Other [[textiles]], especially made from [[felt]]
* [[Falconry]]

=== Traditionsប្រពៃណី ===
In addition to celebrating the [[New Year]] each January 1, Kyrgyz observe the traditional New Year festival [[Nowruz]] on the vernal equinox.  This spring holiday is celebrated with feasts and festivities such as the horse game [[Buzkashi|Ulak Tartish]].

Illegal, but still practiced, is the tradition of [[bride kidnapping]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.pbs.org/frontlineworld/stories/kyrgyzstan/thestory.html | title = Synopsis of ''"The Kidnapped Bride"'' | first = Petr | last = Lom| accessdate = 21 November 2007 | publisher = Frontline/World}}</ref>

It is debatable whether bride kidnapping is actually traditional. Some of the confusion may stem from the fact that [[arranged marriage]]s were traditional, and one of the ways to escape an arranged marriage was to arrange a consensual "kidnapping."<ref>Human Rights Watch Report "Reconciled to Violence: State Failure to Stop Domestic Abuse and Abduction of Women in Kyrgyzstan" published September 2006, Vol. 18, No.9.</ref>

=== Flagទង់ ===
The 40-rayed yellow sun in the center of the flag represents 40 warriors of the mythical hero [[Epic of Manas|Manas]]. The lines inside the sun represent the crown or tündük (Kyrgyz түндүк) of a yurt, a symbol replicated in many facets of Kyrgyz architecture. The red portion of the flag represents peace and openness of Kyrgyzstan.

=== Religionសាសនា ===
{{See also|Islam in Kyrgyzstan|Christianity in Kyrgyzstan|Roman Catholicism in Kyrgyzstan|Buddhism in Kyrgyzstan}}
[[ឯកសារ:Karakol-Dungan-Mosque-Exterior-1.jpg|thumb|[[Karakol]] [[Dungan people|Dungan]] Mosque]]
(contracted; show full)-voa3.cfm?CFID=188271229&CFTOKEN=71417934&jsessionid=88308e149b453d57c0db31644a6462815671 |title=Kyrgyzstan's Religious Law |publisher=Voanews.com |date= |accessdate=2010-05-02}}</ref> It was signed by President [[Kurmanbek Bakiyev]] on 12 January 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insightb/articles/eav011609c.shtml |title=Human Rights Activists Condemn New Religion Law |publisher=Eurasianet.org |date=2009-01-16 |accessdate=2010-05-02}}</ref>

=== 
Horse ridingការជិះសេះ ===
The traditional national sports reflect the importance of [[horse riding]] in Kyrgyz culture.

Very popular, as in all of Central Asia, is ''[[Buzkashi|Ulak Tartysh]]'', a [[team sports|team game]] resembling a cross between [[polo]] and [[rugby football|rugby]] in which two teams of riders wrestle for possession of the headless carcass of a goat, which they attempt to deliver across the opposition's goal line, or into the opposition's goal: a big tub or a circle marked on the ground.

Other popular games on horseback include:
* ''At Chabysh'' – a long-distance horse race, sometimes over a distance of more than 50&nbsp;km
* ''Jumby Atmai'' – a large bar of precious metal (the "jumby") is tied to a pole by a thread and contestants attempt to break the thread by shooting at it, while at a gallop
* ''[[Kyz Kuumai]]'' – a man chases a girl in order to win a kiss from her, while she gallops away; if he is not successful she may in turn chase him and attempt to beat him with her "kamchi" (horsewhip)
* ''Oodarysh'' – two contestants wrestle on horseback, each attempting to be the first to throw the other from his horse
* ''Tyin Emmei'' – picking up a coin from the ground at full gallop
[[ឯកសារ:Issyk-Kulmeer.jpg|thumb|right|Southern shore of [[Issyk Kul Lake]].]]

=== Public holidaysថ្ងៃឈប់ជាសាធារណៈ ===
{{Main|Public holidays in Kyrgyzstan}}
This is the list of public holidays in Kyrgyzstan:
* January 1 – New Year's Day
* January 7 – Russian Orthodox Christmas
* February 23 - Fatherland Defender's Day
* March 8 – Women's Day
* March 21 – [[Nooruz]], Iranian spring festival
* March 24 – Day of National Revolution
* May 1 – Labor Day
* May 5 – Constitution Day
* May 8 – Remembrance Day
* May 9 – Victory Day (end of World War II)
* August 31 – Independence Day
* November 7 - Day of the [[October Revolution|Great October Socialist Revolution]]
[[ឯកសារ:Yssykkoel-lake.jpg|thumb|Issyk Kul Lake]]
Two additional Muslim holidays ''Orozo Ait'' and ''Kurman Ait'' are defined by lunar calendar.

=== Tourismទេសចរណ៍ ===
One of the most popular tourist destination points in Kyrgyzstan is [[Issyk Kul Lake]]. Numerous hotels, vacation resorts, boarding houses and [[sanatorium]]s are located along its Northern shore. The most popular beach zones are in the city of [[Cholpon-Ata]] and the settlements nearby, such as Kara-Oi (Dolinka), Bosteri and Korumdy. The number of tourists visiting the lake was more than a million a year in 2006 and 2007. However, due to the economical and political instability in the region, the number has declined in recent years.<ref>{{cite web|first=Asel|title=Issyk-Kul: Chasing short-term profit |url=http://www.neweurasia.net/business-and-economics/issyk-kul-chasing-short-term-profit/ |publisher=New Eurasia |accessdate=3 May 2011}}</ref>

For those interested in trekking and camping, every region offers attractions and challenges. Some of the most popular locations for camping are southern Osh, the area between Naryn City and the Torugart pass, and the mountains and glaciers surrounding Karakol in Issyk-Kul.{{Citation needed|date=June 2010}} Local guides and porters can be hired from many tour companies in Bishkek and in the provincial capitals.

Skiing is still in its infancy as a tourism industry, but there is one fairly cheap and well-equipped base about a half-hour from Bishkek. The ski base of Toguz Bulak is 45&nbsp;km from Bishkek, on the way to Issyk Ata valley. In the Karakol Valley National Park, outside Karakol, there is also a ski base with three T-bars and rental equipment available of good quality.

== Educationការអប់រំ ==
{{Main|Education in Kyrgyzstan}}
[[ឯកសារ:Auca.jpg|thumb|right|500px|[[American University of Central Asia]]]]

The school system in Kyrgyzstan includes primary (grades 1 to 4) and secondary (grades 5 to 11 (or sometimes 12)) divisions within one school. Children are usually accepted to primary schools at the age of 7. It is required that every child finishes 9 grades of school and receives a certificate of completion. Grades 10-11 are optional, but it is necessary to complete them to graduate and receiv(contracted; show full)
* Social University (previously Kyrgyz-Uzbek University)
* Moskov Institute Of Law And Enterprise
* [[Osh State University]]<ref>[http://www.oshsu.kg Osh State University]</ref>
* Osh Technological University
* Plato University of Management and Design<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.umd.edu.kg |title=Plato University of Management and Design |publisher=umd.edu.kg |date= |accessdate=2010-05-02}}</ref>

== 
Transportដំណឹកជញ្ជូន ==
[[ឯកសារ:E8102-Bishkek-West-Bus-Terminal.jpg|thumb|right|Bishkek West Bus Terminal]]
{{Main|Transport in Kyrgyzstan}}
Transport in Kyrgyzstan is severely constrained by the country's alpine topography. Roads have to snake up steep valleys, cross passes of {{convert|3000|m|ft}} altitude and more, and are subject to frequent mud slides and snow avalanches. Winter travel is close to impossible in many of the more remote and high-altitude regions.

Additional problems come from the fact that many roads and railway lines built during the [[Soviet Union|Soviet]] period are today intersected by international boundaries, requiring time-consuming border formalities to cross where they are not completely closed. [[Horse]]s are still a much-used transport option, especially in more rural areas; Kyrgyzstan's road infrastructure is not extensive, so horses are able to reach locations that motor vehicles cannot, and they do not require expensive, imported [[fuel]].

=== Airportsព្រលានយន្តហោះ ===
[[ឯកសារ:Par avion air mail.JPG|right|thumb|Airmail stamp on a parcel from [[Kyrgistan]]]]
At the end of the Soviet period there were about 50 airports and airstrips in Kyrgyzstan, many of them built primarily to serve military purposes in this border region so close to China. Only a few of them remain in service today.
(contracted; show full)
This country appears on the European Union's list of prohibited countries for the certification of airlines. This means that no airline which is registered in Kyrgyzstan may operate services of any kind within the European Union, due to safety standards which fail to meet European regulations.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2008:102:0003:0016:EN:PDF |title=List of banned E.U. air carriers |date= |accessdate=2010-05-02}}</ref>

=== 
Railwaysផ្លូវដែក ===
The [[Chuy Valley]] in the north and the [[Ferghana valley]] in the south were endpoints of the [[Soviet Union]]'s rail system in Central Asia. Following the emergence of independent post-Soviet states, the rail lines which were built without regard for administrative boundaries have been cut by borders, and traffic is therefore severely curtailed. The small bits of rail lines within Kyrgyzstan, about 370&nbsp;km (1,520&nbsp;mm broad gauge) in total, have little economic value in the absence of the former bulk traffic over long distances to and from such centres as [[Tashkent]], [[Almaty]], and the cities of Russia.

There are vague plans about extending rail lines from [[Balykchy]] in the north and/or from [[Osh]] in the south into [[China]], but the cost of construction would be enormous.

==== Rail links with adjacent countries ====
* [[Transport in Kazakhstan|Kazakhstan]] – yes – [[Bishkek]] branch – same gauge
* [[Transport in Uzbekistan|Uzbekistan]] – yes – [[Osh]] branch – same gauge
* [[Transport in Tajikistan|Tajikistan]] – no – same gauge
* [[Transport in the People's Republic of China|China]] – no – [[Break of gauge]] 1524&nbsp;mm/1435&nbsp;mm

=== Highwaysផ្លូវធំ ===
[[ឯកសារ:Osh182.jpg|thumb|right|250px|A road in [[Osh]], the second largest city in Kyrgyzstan.]]
With support from the [[Asian Development Bank]], a major road linking the north and southwest from [[Bishkek]] to [[Osh]] has recently been completed. This considerably eases communication between the two major population centres of the country—the [[Chuy Valley]] in the north and the [[Fergana Valley]] in the South. An offshoot of this road branches off across a 3,500 meter [[mountain pass|pass]] into the [[Talas Valley]] in the northwest. Plans are now being formulated to build a major road from Osh into [[China]].
* ''total:'' 30,300&nbsp;km (including 140&nbsp;km of expressways)
* ''paved:'' 22,600&nbsp;km (includes some all-weather gravel-surfaced roads)
* ''unpaved:'' 7,700&nbsp;km (these roads are made of unstabilized earth and are difficult to negotiate in wet weather) (1990)

=== Waterwaysផ្លូវទឹក ===
Water transport exists only on [[Issyk Kul Lake]], and has drastically shrunk since the end of the Soviet Union.

=== Ports and harbours ===
[[Balykchy]] (Ysyk-Kol or Rybach'ye), on Issyk Kul Lake.

== See alsoសូមមើលផងដែរ ==
{{portal|Geography|<!-- Eurasia -->|Asia|Central Asia|<!-- Kyrgyzstan -->}}
*[[Outline of Kyrgyzstan]]
*[[Index of Kyrgyzstan-related articles]]
* [[Media of Kyrgyzstan]]
* [[Military of Kyrgyzstan]]
* [[Public holidays in Kyrgyzstan]]
* [[2010 Kyrgyzstan uprising]]
* [[2010 South Kyrgyzstan riots]]
* [[AKIpress news agency]]
* [[The Spektator]]
* [[International University of Kyrgyzstan]]
{{clear}}

== Referencesឯកសារយោង ==
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

== Further readingអំណានបន្ថែម ==
[[ឯកសារ:Issyk Kul at sundown.jpg|thumb|right|200px|[[Issyk Kul Lake]]]]
* ''Historical Dictionary of Kyrgyzstan'' by Rafis Abazov
* ''Kyrgyzstan: Central Asia's Island of Democracy?'' by John Anderson
* ''Kyrgyzstan: The Growth and Influence of Islam in the Nations of Asia and Central Asia'' by Daniel E. Harmon
* ''Lonely Planet Guide: Central Asia'' by Paul Clammer, Michael Kohn and Bradley Mayhew
* ''Odyssey Guide: Kyrgyz Republic'' by Ceri Fairclough, Rowan Stewart and Susie Weldon
* ''[http://www.press.umich.edu/titleDetailDesc.do?id=17240 Politics of Language in the Ex-Soviet Muslim States: Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan]'' by Jacob M. Landau and Barbara Kellner-Heinkele. Ann Arbor, [[University of Michigan Press]], 2001. ISBN 978-0-472-11226-5
* ''Kyrgyzstan: Traditions of Nomads'' by V. Kadyrov, Rarity Ltd., Bishkek, 2005. ISBN 9967-424-42-7

== External linksតំណភ្ជាប់ក្រៅ ==
{{Commons category}}
{{Sister project links}}
; Government
* [http://www.president.kg/ President of Kyrgyzstan] official site
* [http://www.gov.kg/ Government of Kyrgyzstan] official site
* [http://kenesh.kg/ Parliament of Kyrgyzstan] official site
* [http://www.mil.kg/kg/ Armed Forces of the Republic of Kyrgyzstan]
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