Introduction

Located in the heart of Central Asia, Kyrgyzstan is a land-locked country the size of England and Scotland (or Washington State). It is bordered by China to the east, Kazakhstan to the north, Uzbekistan to the west and Tajikistan to the south. It is located at the juncture of two great mountain systems (the Tien Shan and the Pamirs), and only one-eighth of the country lies lower than 1,500 metres (4,920 feet).

Hence, the country's nickname, "The Switzerland of Central Asia". The scenic mountains, Lake Issyk Kul (the world's second largest mountain lake after Lake Titicaca) and the presence of many rare animal species (such as the snow leopard, Tien Shan bear, Marco Polo sheep and red wolf), all contribute to the country's natural beauty, and tourism potential. Skiing is rapidly developing as a tourist industry and winter resorts are very well-equipped, fairly cheap and no distance from the capital, Bishkek. A new resort, designed for tourists, opened in 2004 in Karakol, Issyk Kul Region.

Kyrgyzstan is full of places to visit: Burana Tower - an 11th Century monument, that looks like the stump of a huge minaret. You can climb the octagonal minaret and get a view over the old city walls; Tash Rabat – a stone “hotel” for the traders, who travelled along the Silk Road in the 15th Century Ala Archa Canyon – a very grand, rugged but accessible gorge south of Bishkek, where you can sit by a waterfall all day, hike to a glacier, ski on it, or trek on the region’s highest peaks.  Arslanbob, one of the cities of Kyrgyzstan, is an elevated oasis, a vast tract of blossoming woodland and home to the largest walnut grove on earth.

Bishkek, the capital, has numerous buildings of note, such as the Philharmonia concert hall, the National Historical Museum, the Great Patriotic War Monument, the Manas Monument, and the Independence Monument, as well as many statues of akyns, manashi and local governors of different periods. The city is famous for being one of the greenest in the world, due to its countless parks and alleys, which make the town a nice place to live, even in the heat of the summer. The city is modern, with restaurants, cafes, casinos and night-clubs.

Besides the developed shores of magical Lake Issyk Kul, there are other lakes just as beautiful: Song Kol Lake, one of the loveliest spots in central Kyrgyzstan. This is the perfect place to camp and watch the sun come up, surrounded by lush pastures, favoured by herders; Sary Chelek, a beautiful 7km-long alpine lake, nature reserve and biosphere, lies hidden in the Ferghana Valley, amid groves of wild pistachios, walnuts and fruit trees. 

• Full name: Kyrgyz Republic
• Population: 5.5 million (UN, 2010)
• Capital: Bishkek
• Area: 199,900 sq km (77,182 sq miles)
• Major languages: Kyrgyz, Russian
• Major religions: Islam, Christianity
• Life expectancy: 64 years (men), 72 years (women) (UN)
• Monetary unit: 1 som = 100 tyiyns
• Main exports: Fruit, vegetables, gold, tobacco
• GNI per capita: US $880 (World Bank, 2010)
• Internet domain: .kg
• International dialling code: +996