Kyrgyzstan

Official name: Kyrgyz Republic Political system: Republic Geographical location: in the North-East of Middle Asia Area: 198,5 thousand sq. km Population: 4,52 million people (1998), Kyrgyz - 52,4%, Russian - 21,5%, Uzbek - 12,9% Capital: Bishek - 629 thousand people (1998) Major cities: Osh - 218 thousand people (1998) Main languages: Kyrgyz (official), Russian Religions: Sunnite Muslims, Orthodox Climate: continental Average temperature: from -8C to -1C on the plain and to -27C in the mountains in January; from +15C to +27C on the plain and to +5C in the mountains in July Monetary unit: som Local time: standart time - GMT+5; summer time - GMT+6 National holidays: August, 31st - the Independence Day (1991) Major tourist sights: National Ala-Archa natural park, Pamir-Alay mountain range in the South-West and Tien Shan in the North-East (Victory peak - 7439 m), Issyk-Kul lake, balneological resorts in Jalan-Abad,Cholpon-Ata and Karakol, Buran Tower (2 century) in Tokmak, Fortress (19 century) in Kokand