Republic of Kyrgyzstan
Information about Kyrgyz Republic
Area: 198500 sq. km, 94% of them are mountains. The country´s average height is 2750 m above sea level
Population: 5000000 people
Bishkek: (Capital): 1000000 inhabitants
Osh: 250.000 inhabitants
Karakol: 30.000 inhabitants
Location: North-Eastern part of the Central Asia. Kyrgyzstan borders with: Kazakhstan in the North; Western China in the South and East; Tajikistan in the South-West; and Uzbekistan in the West
Time: 5 hours ahead of GMT
Languages: Kyrgyz and Russian
Nationalities: Kyrgyz - 52.4%; Russian - 18%; Uzbek - 12.9%; Ukrain - 2.5%; German - 1.4%; Kazakh - 1%; Tajik - 1%; Tatar - 1%; 8% - others
Religions: Muslim - 75%; Russian Orthodox - 20%; 5% - others
National Currency: Kyrgyz soms
Exchange: The best currencies for exchange are USD and € EURO. Money can be changed in exchange office. Credit cards are acceptable as well.
Official Holidays:
- 1- January - New Year Day
- 7- January - Christmas (Russian Orthodox Church)
- 21 - March - Nooruz (New Year´s Day of the Equinox)
- Kurman-Ayt (is a Muslim Holiday determining Lunar Calendar)
- International Labour Day - 1st of May
- Constitution Day - 5th of May
- World War Victory Day - 9th of May
- Kurban-Ayt (Memory Day)
- Independence Day - 31st of August
Best Time to Travel: May - October