CIA World Fact Book, 2004/Kyrgyzstan


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!| Background:
 * A Central Asian country of incredible natural beauty and proud nomadic traditions, Kyrgyzstan was annexed by Russia in 1864; it achieved independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. Current concerns include: privatization of state-owned enterprises, expansion of democracy and political freedoms, interethnic relations, and combating terrorism.
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!| Location: !| Geographic coordinates: !| Map references: !| Area: water: 7,200 sq km land: 191,300 sq km !| Area - comparative: !| Land boundaries: border countries: China 858 km, Kazakhstan 1,051 km, Tajikistan 870 km, Uzbekistan 1,099 km !| Coastline: !| Maritime claims: !| Climate: !| Terrain: !| Elevation extremes: highest point: Jengish Chokusu (Pik Pobedy) 7,439 m !| Natural resources: !| Land use: permanent crops: 0.35% note: Kyrgyzstan has the world's largest natural growth walnut forest (2001) other: 92.35% !| Irrigated land: !| Natural hazards: !| Environment - current issues: !| Environment - international agreements: signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements !| Geography - note:
 * Central Asia, west of China
 * 41 00 N, 75 00 E
 * Asia
 * total: 198,500 sq km
 * slightly smaller than South Dakota
 * total: 3,878 km
 * 0 km (landlocked)
 * none (landlocked)
 * dry continental to polar in high Tien Shan; subtropical in southwest (Fergana Valley); temperate in northern foothill zone
 * peaks of Tien Shan and associated valleys and basins encompass entire nation
 * lowest point: Kara-Daryya (Karadar'ya) 132 m
 * 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
 * arable land: 7.3%
 * 10,740 sq km (1998 est.)
 * NA
 * 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
 * party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection
 * landlocked; entirely mountainous, dominated by the Tien Shan range; many tall peaks, glaciers, and high-altitude lakes
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!| Population: !| Age structure: 15-64 years: 61.6% (male 1,535,447; female 1,594,972) 65 years and over: 6.1% (male 120,555; female 190,472) (2004 est.) !| Median age: male: 22.2 years female: 24 years (2004 est.) !| Population growth rate: !| Birth rate: !| Death rate: !| Net migration rate: !| Sex ratio: under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.63 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2004 est.) !| Infant mortality rate: female: 31.11 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.) male: 42.23 deaths/1,000 live births !| Life expectancy at birth: male: 63.84 years female: 72.05 years (2004 est.) !| Total fertility rate: !| HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: !| HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: !| HIV/AIDS - deaths: !| Nationality: adjective: Kyrgyzstani !| Ethnic groups: !| Religions: !| Languages: note: in December 2001, the Kyrgyzstani legislature made Russian an official language, equal in status to Kyrgyz !| Literacy: total population: 97% male: 99% female: 96% (1989 est.)
 * 5,081,429 (July 2004 est.)
 * 0-14 years: 32.3% (male 835,599; female 804,384)
 * total: 23.1 years
 * 1.25% (2004 est.)
 * 22.13 births/1,000 population (2004 est.)
 * 7.19 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.)
 * -2.45 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 est.)
 * at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
 * total: 36.81 deaths/1,000 live births
 * total population: 67.84 years
 * 2.71 children born/woman (2004 est.)
 * less than 0.1% (2001 est.)
 * 3,900 (2003 est.)
 * less than 200 (2003 est.)
 * noun: Kyrgyzstani(s)
 * Kyrgyz 64.9%, Uzbek 13.8%, Russian 12.5%, Dungan 1.1%, Ukrainian 1%, Uygur 1%, other 5.7% (1999 census)
 * Muslim 75%, Russian Orthodox 20%, other 5%
 * Kyrgyz - official language, Russian - official language
 * definition: age 15 and over can read and write
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!| Country name: conventional short form: Kyrgyzstan local short form: none former: Kirghiz Soviet Socialist Republic local long form: Kyrgyz Respublikasy !| Government type: !| Capital: !| Administrative divisions: note: administrative divisions have the same names as their administrative centers (exceptions have the administrative center name following in parentheses) !| Independence: !| National holiday: !| Constitution: !| Legal system: !| Suffrage: !| Executive branch: head of government: Prime Minister Nikolay TANAYEV (since 22 May 2002); note - Prime Minister Kurmanbek BAKIYEV resigned on 22 May 2002 when five demonstrators were killed in a clash with police in March of 2002; First Deputy Prime Minister Kubanychbek JUMALIYEV (since 19 March 2004) cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister election results: Askar AKAYEV reelected president; percent of vote - Askar AKAYEV 74%, Omurbek TEKEBAYEV 14%, other candidates 12%; note - election marred by serious irregularities elections: president reelected by popular vote for a five-year term; elections last held 29 October 2000 (next to be 30 October 2005); prime minister appointed by the president; note - President AKAYEV has publicly stated that he will not seek reelection when his current term expires in 2005 !| Legislative branch: election results: Assembly of People's Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NA; and Legislative Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NA; note - total seats by party in the Supreme Council were as follows: Union of Democratic Forces 12, Communists 6, My Country Party of Action 4, independents 73, other 10 note: the legislature became bicameral for the 5 February 1995 elections; the 2000 election results include both the Assembly of People's Representatives and the Legislative Assembly elections: Assembly of People's Representatives - last held 20 February and 12 March 2000 (next to be held NA February 2005); Legislative Assembly - last held 20 February and 12 March 2000; elections for the new unicameral body or Jorgorku Kenesh are to be held 27 February 2005) !| Judicial branch: !| Political parties and leaders: !| Political pressure groups and leaders: !| International organization participation: !| Diplomatic representation in the US: FAX: [1] (202) 338-5139 consulate(s): New York telephone: [1] (202) 338-5141 chancery: 1732 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007 !| Diplomatic representation from the US: embassy: 171 Prospect Mira, Bishkek 720016 mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [996] (312) 551-241, (517) 777-217 FAX: [996] (312) 551-264 !| Flag description:
 * conventional long form: Kyrgyz Republic
 * republic
 * Bishkek
 * 7 provinces (oblastlar, singular - oblasty) and 1 city* (shaar); Batken Oblasty, Bishkek Shaary*, Chuy Oblasty (Bishkek), Jalal-Abad Oblasty, Naryn Oblasty, Osh Oblasty, Talas Oblasty, Ysyk-Kol Oblasty (Karakol)
 * 31 August 1991 (from Soviet Union)
 * Independence Day, 31 August (1991)
 * adopted 5 May 1993; note - amendment proposed by President AKAYEV and passed in a national referendum on 2 February 2003 significantly expands the powers of the president at the expense of the legislature
 * based on civil law system
 * 18 years of age; universal
 * chief of state: President Askar AKAYEV (since 28 October 1990)
 * bicameral Supreme Council or Jorgorku Kenesh consists of the Assembly of People's Representatives (70 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) and the Legislative Assembly (35 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms); note - in accordance with a 2003 referendum, the Parliament is slated to become unicameral with 75 deputies after the 27 February 2005 elections
 * Supreme Court (judges are appointed for 10-year terms by the Supreme Council on the recommendation of the president); Constitutional Court; Higher Court of Arbitration
 * Adilet (Justice) Party [Toychubek KASYMOV]; Agrarian Labor Party of Kyrgyzstan [Uson SYDYKOV]; Agrarian Party of Kyrgyzstan [Erkin ALIYEV]; Alga, Kyrgyzstan (Forward, Kyrgyzstan) [Bolot BEGALIYEV]; Ar-Namys (Dignity) Party [Emil ALIYEV]; Asaba (Banner National Revival Party) [Azimbek BEKNAZAROV]; Ata-Meken (Fatherland) [Omurbek TEKEBAYEV]; Communist Party of Kyrgyzstan [Klara ADZHIBEKOVA]; Democratic Movement of Kyrgyzstan or DDK [Jypar JEKSHEYEV]; Erkin Kyrgyzstan Progressive and Democratic Party [Bektur ASANOV]; Erkindik (Freedom) Party [Topchubek TURGUNALIYEV]; Future of Kyrgyzstan [Balbak TULEBAYEV]; Jany Kyrgyzstan (New Kyrgyzstan) [Dosbol NUR UULU]; Kairan El [Dooronbek SADYKOV]; Kyrgyz National Party [Bakyt BESHIMOV]; Kyrgyzstan Kelechegi [Ruslan CHYNYBAYEV]; Manas El (Party of Spiritual Restoration) [Chingiz AITMATOV]; Moya Strana (My Country Party of Action) [Joomart OTORBAYEV]; Party of Communists of Kyrgyzstan or KCP [Bakytbek BEKBOYEV]; Party of Justice and Progress [Muratbek IMANALIEV]; Party of Peasants [Esengul ISAKOV]
 * Council of Free Trade Unions; Kyrgyz Committee on Human Rights [Ramazan DYRYLDAYEV]; National Unity Democratic Movement; Union of Entrepreneurs
 * AsDB, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, ECO, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, NAM (observer), OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, SCO, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIK, UNMIL, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO
 * chief of mission: Ambassador Bakyt ABDRISAYEV
 * chief of mission: Ambassador Stephen M. YOUNG
 * red field with a yellow sun in the center having 40 rays representing the 40 Kyrgyz tribes; on the obverse side the rays run counterclockwise, on the reverse, clockwise; in the center of the sun is a red ring crossed by two sets of three lines, a stylized representation of the roof of the traditional Kyrgyz yurt
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!| Economy - overview: !| GDP: !| GDP - real growth rate: !| GDP - per capita: !| GDP - composition by sector: industry: 22.9% services: 38.4% (2003 est.) !| Investment (gross fixed): !| Population below poverty line: !| Household income or consumption by percentage share: highest 10%: 27.7% (1999) !| Distribution of family income - Gini index: !| Inflation rate (consumer prices): !| Labor force: !| Labor force - by occupation: !| Unemployment rate: !| Budget: expenditures: $387.1 million, including capital expenditures of NA (2003 est.) !| Agriculture - products: !| Industries: !| Industrial production growth rate: !| Electricity - production: !| Electricity - consumption: !| Electricity - exports: !| Electricity - imports: !| Oil - production: !| Oil - consumption: !| Oil - exports: !| Oil - imports: !| Natural gas - production: !| Natural gas - consumption: !| Natural gas - exports: !| Natural gas - imports: !| Current account balance: !| Exports: !| Exports - commodities: !| Exports - partners: !| Imports: !| Imports - commodities: !| Imports - partners: !| Reserves of foreign exchange & gold: !| Debt - external: !| Economic aid - recipient: !| Currency: !| Currency code: !| Exchange rates: !| Fiscal year:
 * Kyrgyzstan is a poor, mountainous country with a predominantly agricultural economy. Cotton, tobacco, wool, and meat are the main agricultural products, although only tobacco and cotton are exported in any quantity. Industrial exports include gold, mercury, uranium, and natural gas and electricity. Kyrgyzstan has been fairly progressive in carrying out market reforms, such as an improved regulatory system and land reform. Kyrgyzstan was the first CIS country to be accepted into the World Trade Organization. With fits and starts, inflation has been lowered to an estimated 7% in 2001, 2.1% in 2002, and 4.0% in 2003. Much of the government's stock in enterprises has been sold. Drops in production had been severe after the breakup of the Soviet Union in December 1991, but by mid-1995 production began to recover and exports began to increase. Kyrgyzstan has distinguished itself by adopting relatively liberal economic policies. The drop in output at the Kumtor gold mine sparked a 0.5% decline in GDP in 2002, but GDP growth bounced back to 6% in 2003. The government has made steady strides in controlling its substantial fiscal deficit and aims to reduce the deficit to 4.4 percent of GDP in 2004. The government and the international financial institutions have been engaged in a comprehensive medium-term poverty reduction and economic growth strategy. Further restructuring of domestic industry and success in attracting foreign investment are keys to future growth.
 * purchasing power parity - $7.808 billion (2003 est.)
 * 6.7% (2003 est.)
 * purchasing power parity - $1,600 (2003 est.)
 * agriculture: 38.7%
 * 17.6% of GDP (2003)
 * 50% (2003 est.)
 * lowest 10%: 3.2%
 * 34.6 (1999)
 * 3.5% (2003 est.)
 * 2.7 million (2000)
 * agriculture 55%, industry 15%, services 30% (2000 est.)
 * 7.2% (1999 est.)
 * revenues: $371.5 million
 * tobacco, cotton, potatoes, vegetables, grapes, fruits and berries; sheep, goats, cattle, wool
 * small machinery, textiles, food processing, cement, shoes, sawn logs, refrigerators, furniture, electric motors, gold, rare earth metals
 * 6% (2000 est.)
 * 13.45 billion kWh (2001)
 * 10.46 billion kWh (2001)
 * 2.25 billion kWh (2001)
 * 200 million kWh (2001)
 * 2,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)
 * 20,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)
 * NA (2001)
 * NA (2001)
 * 16 million cu m (2001 est.)
 * 2.016 billion cu m (2001 est.)
 * 0 cu m (2001 est.)
 * 2 billion cu m (2001 est.)
 * $-108 million (2003)
 * $548 million f.o.b. (2003 est.)
 * cotton, wool, meat, tobacco; gold, mercury, uranium, natural gas, hydropower; machinery; shoes
 * UAE 24.7%, Switzerland 20.3%, Russia 16.7%, Kazakhstan 9.8%, Canada 5.3%, China 4% (2003)
 * $601 million f.o.b. (2003 est.)
 * oil and gas, machinery and equipment, chemicals, foodstuffs
 * Russia 24.7%, Kazakhstan 24%, China 10.3%, US 6.7%, Uzbekistan 5.5%, Germany 5.3% (2003)
 * $399.3 million (2003)
 * $1.5 billion (2002 est.)
 * $50 million from the US (2001)
 * Kyrgyzstani som (KGS)
 * KGS
 * soms per US dollar - 43.6484 (2003), 46.9371 (2002), 48.378 (2001), 47.7038 (2000), 39.0077 (1999)
 * calendar year
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!| Telephones - main lines in use: !| Telephones - mobile cellular: !| Telephone system: domestic: principally microwave radio relay; one cellular provider, probably limited to Bishkek region 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 - 1 Intersputnik and 1 Intelsat; connected internationally by the Trans-Asia-Europe (TAE) fiber-optic line !| Radio broadcast stations: !| Radios: !| Television broadcast stations: !| Televisions: !| Internet country code: !| Internet hosts: !| Internet Service Providers (ISPs): !| Internet users:
 * 394,800 (2002)
 * 53,100 (2002)
 * general assessment: poorly developed; about 100,000 unsatisfied applications for household telephones
 * AM 12 (plus 10 repeater stations), FM 14, shortwave 2 (1998)
 * 520,000 (1997)
 * NA (repeater stations throughout the country relay programs from Russia, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Turkey) (1997)
 * 210,000 (1997)
 * .kg
 * 12,299 (2004)
 * NA
 * 152,000 (2002)
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!| Railways: broad gauge: 470 km 1.520-m gauge (2003) !| Highways: paved: 16,854 km (including 140 km of expressways) unpaved: 1,646 km (1999 est.) !| Waterways: !| Pipelines: !| Ports and harbors: !| Airports: !| Airports - with paved runways: over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 11 under 914 m: 2 (2003 est.) !| Airports - with unpaved runways: 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 37 (2003 est.)
 * total: 470 km
 * total: 18,500 km
 * 600 km (2004)
 * gas 367 km; oil 13 km (2004)
 * Balykchy (Ysyk-Kol or Rybach'ye)
 * 61 (2003 est.)
 * total: 17
 * total: 44
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!| Military branches: !| Military manpower - military age and obligation: !| Military manpower - availability: !| Military manpower - fit for military service: !| Military manpower - reaching military age annually: !| Military expenditures - dollar figure: !| Military expenditures - percent of GDP:
 * Army, Air and Air Defense, Security Forces, Border Troops
 * 18 years of age for compulsory military service (2001)
 * males age 15-49: 1,347,312 (2004 est.)
 * males age 15-49: 1,091,548 (2004 est.)
 * males: 59,759 (2004 est.)
 * $19.2 million (FY01)
 * 1.4% (FY01)
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