Foundation Islamic Union
Kyrgyzstan
Official name: Kyrgyz Republic (KG)
Capital : Bishkek
Important Cities: Kyrgyzstan is divided into 6 provinces. These are Jeliabad, Issykul, Naryn, Osh, Talas and Chuy
Area: 198,560 Km2
Population : 6,600,000 (2021)[1]
Number of People Per Km2: 33
Ethnic Structure: 52.4 per cent Kyrgyz, 21 per cent Russian, 12.9 per cent Uzbek, 2.5 per cent Kyrgyz;
Ukrainian, 8.1% other nationalities, 1.6% Tatars.
Language : Kyrgyz (official language), Uzbek, Russian.
Religion: Islam.
Geographical Status: It is located in Ozbekistan to the west, Kazakhstan to the north, Tajikistan to the south and China to the east.
Most of its territory is covered with mountains. Mountains up to 3000 metres cover more than half of the territory. Kokpaalatau mountain range, which is a part of the God Mountains, forms the natural border with China. The peaks of the high mountains are covered with snow for four seasons. Numerous short rivers originate from the mountains and flow downwards. The main rivers are Narin, Tar, Kubash, Kyzyl Su. Lake Issyk-Kul, the second largest crater lake in the world, is located in Kyrgyzstan. Lake Issyk, which is 1609 m above sea level, has an area of 6.202 km2. The deepest place is 702 metres.
The fact that Kyrgyzstan is far from the seas and has a high terrain affects the climate to a great extent. The foothills of the mountains are under the influence of hot desert winds. A cold climate prevails in high regions. A climate with abundant rainfall is observed in the intermediate region. The mountain ranges in the west and north receive an average annual rainfall of 600-900 mm, the southern foothills 200-335 mm, and the high valleys 100-150 mm. The temperature difference between summer and winter, day and night is very high.
Mode of Government: Democratic Republic
Political Parties: Social Democratic Party (PSD), Democratic Movement for Kyrgyzstan (DDK), National Democratic Unity Movement Party (DDNE), Communist Party of Kyrgyzstan (PKK), Erkin Party of Kyrgyzstan (ERK), Republican National Party, Agrarians Party, Alta Mekel Party, National Flag Party (ASABA)
History: The Kyrgyz, who led a civilised life along the Yenisey River, accepted Islam under the influence of the Qarakhanids in the 10th century. In the 13th century, they recognised the sovereignty of the Mongols. In the 17th century, they mobilised with other Turkic tribes against the Russian invasion. Kyrgyz had high war skills. In the 19th century, Kyrgyz lands came under Russian rule. Until 1924 it was part of the Turkestan Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic, but in 1925 it was renamed Kara Kyrgyz Autonomous Oblast. After a while, the word Kara was abolished. In 1936, Kyrgyzstan was transformed into the Soviet Socialist Republic and became one of the 15 Alliance Republics forming the Soviet Union.
Upon the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, Kyrgyzstan declared its independence. It became a member of the Commonwealth of Independent States.
In October 1991, Akayev ran unopposed and was directly elected president of the newly independent republic with 95% of the vote. That month he signed the Pact for a New Economic Community with delegates from seven other republics. Finally, on 21 December 1991, together with four other Central Asian republics, it formally joined the Community of Independent States. In 1992 it joined the United Nations and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe.
The Tulip Period following the parliamentary elections in March 2005 forced President Akayev to resign on 4 April 2005. Opposition leaders formed a coalition and a new government took shape under President Kurmanbek Bakiyev and Prime Minister Feliks Kulov.
Three of the 75 members of the parliament elected in March 2005 were assassinated 10 May, and the brother of one of those killed in 2006 was assassinated.
On 6 April 2010, a popular uprising in Talas spread to the capital Bishkek the following day. The government had to resign due to the escalation of events. Former Foreign Minister and Social Democratic Party deputy Roza Otunbayeva was appointed as the head of the interim government.
External problems: The most important external problem of Kyrgyzstan, as in other Central Asian republics, is the Russian pressure and Russia's attempt to use the CIS as a tool to protect its political and economic interests on this country.
Internal problems: Ethnic diversity and especially the significant number of Russians constitute a potential problem in Kyrgyzstan as in other Turkic republics. However, the problem is not as threatening in Kyrgyzstan as in Kazakhstan.
Islamism in the Country: The anti-religious behaviour during the communist oppression period also showed its effect in Kyrgyzstan. Therefore, at the time of independence, the number of Muslims living in this country who knew and lived their religion sufficiently was quite low. However, the post-independence efforts started to show their effect. The number of Muslims trying to learn and live their religion is increasing gradually. With the aid from Turkey and some other Islamic countries, new mosques and some private educational institutions that attach importance to the Islamic identity of the growing generation have been opened in the country. As in other Central Asian republics, Sufi orders take the first place among Islamic formations in Kyrgyzstan. At the top of these orders is the Naqshbandi sect. After Naqshbandi, Qadiriyya, Yassawiyya and Kübreviyya sects come next. There are also Lachi and Saçlı İşanlar (Çaçtu İşandar) sects special to Kyrgyzstan. The people living in the south of Kyrgyzstan are more devoted to their religion than those in the north. Among the Kyrgyz in the north, some Shamanism (ancient Turkic religion) customs continue to exist. It is also noteworthy that Uzbeks living in the country are more religious than Kyrgyz.[2]
Economy: Kyrgyzstan has rich mineral deposits. There are iron, mercury, mercury, gold in the God Mountains; oil and gas deposits in the Fergana valley. There are also coal, salt, kaolin, glass powder deposits. Coal deposits are the first in Central Asia with 31 million tonnes of reserves.
The north-facing slopes of the mountains and low valleys are covered with forests. These forests cover only 6 per cent of the country's territory. Game animals such as boar, wolf, lynx, mountain goat, lion, deer and leopard live in forests.
The country's economy is based on agriculture and mining. The agricultural economy is mostly dominated by livestock breeding. The main agricultural products are wheat, cotton, sugar beet, corn, tobacco, vegetables and fruits. Race horses are bred in mountainous regions, rabbits are fed and beekeeping is done. Mostly small cattle are fed.
When various mines started to be mined in Kyrgyzstan in the 1970s, the mining sector developed rapidly. Machinery, automotive, food, cement, glass and canned food factories are the main industrial establishments. Hydroelectric power plants built on rivers contribute significantly to the economy. There are around 600 industrial establishments.
Currency: Kyrgyz Som
National Income per Capita: 1,123 USD (2021)
Foreign Trade: It exports foodstuffs and agricultural raw materials, livestock, leather, various mineral ores and textiles. The main imports are transport vehicles and spare parts, machinery, chemicals and durable consumer goods. Its foreign trade is generally with CIS member countries, especially Russia. Its exports meet its imports.
Industry: The food industry is the most developed in Kyrgyzstan. There are many canning factories in the country and it ranks fourth among the former Soviet republics in this field. In addition, there are industrial enterprises in the fields of electricity, electronics, silk weaving, carpet weaving, antimony, diode, non-ferrous metal, transformer and electric motor production. The share of industrial income in the gross domestic product is approximately 20 per cent. 28 per cent of the working population is employed in the industrial sector. This also includes those working in mines and coal mines.
Energy: Due to its mountainous location and large rivers, the country has significant hydroelectricity production. There are a large number of hydroelectric power stations and a significant portion of the electricity generated is transported to Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. Although it has a small economy, it has a high rate of imports and exports. Its foreign trade is mainly with the CIS countries.
Transportation: Due to its mountainous structure, transport is greatly restricted. Roads have to make frequent curves due to altitudes of 2000 metres and above and steep valleys. During winter, transport is almost impossible in some high altitude and secluded areas of the country. In addition, transport is made more difficult by the fact that the road and railway network is today cut off by international borders.
Education: Kyrgyzstan has a high level of education. There are 9 universities in the country and the first university was established in 1932. The literacy rate is 99.8 per cent. There are 1806 secondary schools and 48 technical high schools throughout the country. As in other Turkic Republics, education in Kyrgyzstan is carried out by the state, while private school and university education was allowed with the new laws enacted in 1992.
Health: There are 335 hospitals in Kyrgyzstan, nearly 17 thousand doctors and dentists, 48 thousand midwives and nurses. There is one doctor for 267 people.
International Organisations of which it is a member: CICA, CIS, CSTO, EAEC, EAEU, ECO, FAO, IAEA, ICC, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, NAM, OIC, PCA, PFP, SCO, UN, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNMISS, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, Turkic Council, Turksoy, OIC[3] (Organisation of Islamic Cooperation), CIS, Shanghai Cooperation.
[1] www.ticaret.gov.tr(October-2021 Access)
[2] www.davetci.com(October-2021 Access)
[3] oic-oci.org
