Kyrgyzstan

Overview

Kyrgyzstan is often called the Switzerland of Central Asia. In some sense this epithet is more deserved than in others. It is quite off the mark when it comes to the level of income, but very justifiable when it comes to the beauty of the mountainous landscape. Compared with the dry and hot plains of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan it is quite refreshing to go into the high mountains of Kyrgystan. Kyrgyzstan may not have a long settled history, but it has all the natural beauty to make up for that. Furthermore the poeple are very friendly and helpful. This makes traveling in Kyrgyzstan relatively easy. Compared with its neighbours, Kyrgyzstan might lack in cultural heritage, but the natural beauty can be overwhelming. In Soviet times much of the country was closed to visitors because of its strategic importance, closeness to China and the uranium mines in the Tian Shan mountains. Now it is the most of open of the Central Asian states. Bishkek the capital is a green and friendly city. It is the travel hub and the best starting place to explore the country. You can visit the Ala Archa Gorge as an easy day trip from there. Osh and Naryn are further away.

History

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. Nation-wide demonstrations in the spring of 2005 resulted in the ouster of President Askar AKAYEV, who had run the country since 1990. Subsequent presidential elections in July of 2005 were won overwhelmingly by former prime minister Kurmanbek BAKIYEV. Current concerns include: privatization of state-owned enterprises, expansion of democracy and political freedoms, interethnic relations, and combating terrorism. The Kyrgyz are descendants of tribes from the Tuva region of Russia, which migrated to the area now known as Kyrgyzstan in the 13th century, during the rise of the Mongol empire. In 1876 the area was incorporated into the Russian empire and later the Soviet Union. When that union disolved in 1991, Kyrgyzstan became independent. In March, 2005 a popular uprising known as the Tulip Revolution forced Soviet-era president Askar Akayev to flee the country. He was replaced by president Kurmanbek Bakiev.