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97GROUP KYRGYZSTAN
КОШ КЕЛИНИЗДЕР=
WELCOME = HOS GELDINIZ
= ДОБРО ПОЖАЛОВАТЬ
The Kyrgyz people are
one of the nomadic Turkic peoples - that have roamed Central Asia
over the centuries. After seven decades of Soviet rule, Kyrgyzstan
emerged as an independent state with the collapse of the Soviet
Union in 1991. A small, mountainous country with a predominantly
agricultural economy, Kyrgyzstan has been the most progressive
country in Central Asia in enacting market reforms, and adopting
democratic principles.
Neighbouring China,
Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan is a remote and mysterious
land of remarkable beauty, which until a decade ago was strictly off
limits to foreigners. Since gaining its independence from the Soviet
Union, this country has opened its doors to tourism and is ready to
welcome visitors with traditional Central Asian hospitality.
In ancient times
Kyrgyzstan occupied an important place on the Silk Road particularly
the town of Osh, which is Kyrgyzstan's second and oldest city, now
celebrating its 3000th anniversary. The ancestors of the present day
Kyrgyz people probably lived in southern Siberia until the 10th
century, but under Mongol incursions began to spread southwards.
Later on the area, which is now Kyrgyzstan, came under the Manchus
and from the 18th century it was part of Kokand Khanate. The
Russians invaded in the late 19th century and the land was then
amalgamated into the Soviet Union until 1991, when Kyrgyzstan gained
its independence.
Throughout their
history the Kyrgyz have been a nomadic people and as a result
Kyrgyzstan is renowned for the beauty of its scenery more than for
its historical attractions. 94% of the country is mountainous,
(Kyrgyzstan has 3 mountains over 7000 metres) and nature lovers will
find glaciers, alpine meadows, semi-arid regions, forests and some
2000 mountain lakes, the largest of which is Lake Issyk Kul or "warm
lake". Kyrgyzstan's unspoilt nature attracts many trekkers and
mountaineers as does the exotic wildlife: wild goats, the Marco Polo
sheep, lynxes, wild boar, brown bear, porcupines and the rare snow
leopard.
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GENERAL INFO:
Full country name: Kyrgyz Republic
President: Askar Akayev (re-elected to a third, five-year term
on Oct. 29, 2000)
Independence: August 31, 1991 (from Soviet Union)
Population (7/00E): 4.9 million
Location/Size: Central Asia/123,269 sq. miles, slightly
smaller than South Dakota
Major Cities: Bishkek (capital), Osh
Languages: Kyrgyz, Russian (both official)
Ethnic Groups: Kyrgyz (52.4%), Russian (18%), Uzbek (12.9%),
Ukrainian (2.5%), German (2.4%), other (11.8%)
Religions: Sunni Muslim (75%), Russian Orthodox (20%), other
(5%) |
OFFICIAL HOLYDAYS:
January 1 - New
Year
January 7 - Russian Orthodox Christmas
March 8 - International Women's Holiday
March 21 - Nooruz (Traditional New Year)
May 1 - International Day of Solidarity among the Workers
May 9 - Victory Day over Fascism
June 13 - Kurban Ait (Remembrance Day)
August 31 - Independence Dayclimate zones are determined here: |
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CLIMATE:
Four climate zones
are determined here:
Valley zone (from 500-600 to 900-1000m heights). Hot summer (to
+28 degrees) and moderate cold and snowless winter characterize
it. Average annual temperature is +20-25 in summer and -4 -7 in
winter. In some places temperature reaches +47. It drops as the
height increases and the absolute temperature minimum is
-22-30,only in some places it drops lower -40.
Middle mountainous zone (from 900-1200 to 2000-2200 m heights)
has typical moderate climate with warm summer and moderate snowy
and cold winter. Average annual temperature is +18-19 in summer
(July) and -7-8 in winter (January).
High mountainous zone (from 2000-2200 to 3000-3500 m heights) is
characterized by cold summer and very snowy winter. July
temperature is +11-16, January - 8-10. Winter is long (from
November to March). In the upper part of this zone the freezing
period lasts 3-4 months.
Nival zone (more than 3500 m heights) is characterized by severe
and very cold climate. This is a zone of snow, rocks, glaciers
and moisture accumulation. Even in the lower part of the zone
July temperature doesn't exceed +4-7 and in January it drops
lower than -19-22 |
MONEY and CURRENCY EXCHANGE:
National
Kyrgyzstan currency is som.
There are 1000, 500, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 1 som denominations.
Kyrgyzstan is a country that operates only with cash currency.
Credit cards, travel checks, etc are accepted in banks and in
some hotels.
US dollars are very common in Kyrgyzstan. You can exchange
foreign currency in banks or in numerous exchange offices.
Hotels, great amount of restaurants and shops also can exchange
money but at less advantageous rate. Exchange rate in March,
2002 is about 48 soms =$1. Currency rate is growing, especially
in autumn and drops a little in spring. Exchange offices are in
all cities. Some of the exchange offices are opened 24 hours a
day. We recommend you only $US 100 and 50 denominations issued
not later than 1996, otherwise they are exchanged at the lower
rate. It's also necessary to have USD note that $ 1, 5, 10, 20
are exchanged at the lower rate
Payment should be done in local currency, though in practice US$
and are used and sometimes even necessary for some transactions.
Shop opening time: shops are opened from Monday till Sunday from
9.00 to 18.00.
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