Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan lies in the middle of Eurasia in the Tien Shan mountain region; its area is about 200 thousand km², population about 7 million and capital Bishkek. It borders Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and China and has no ocean access. Its economic-geographical position is rather unfavourable: mountains mean few major international routes. Under the 2021 constitution the state is a republic with a strong presidency; it is divided into 7 regions and the cities of Bishkek and Osh. Nearly 90 % of its territory is mountains; on the border with China stands Jengish Chokusu (Victory Peak, 7,439 m), one of the Tien Shan’s highest. Big glaciers feed rivers and lakes: the Naryn, Chu and Talas, and the largest lake is Issyk-Kul. Minerals: gold, antimony, mercury, tungsten, uranium and tin; oil and gas are scarce, so fuel is imported. Hydro resources are rich, and electricity comes mostly from hydropower stations on the Naryn. People live in intermountain valleys (Fergana, Chu); about a third live in cities; the largest city is Bishkek (over 1 million), then Osh. Kyrgyz are about three quarters, Uzbeks about 15 % (mainly in the south, in Osh and Jalal-Abad), with Russians, Dungans, Uyghurs and Tajiks too. Agriculture is important, so it is an agrarian-industrial state; industry is mining (gold is a large part of exports, the Kumtor mine), light and food industries. In farming: wheat, potatoes, vegetables, cotton, tobacco; on pastures sheep, goats, cattle and horses are raised. The Issyk-Kul shore is a major tourist area.