Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan

Fast Facts

Capital: Bishkek

Population: 5,550,239 (2010)

Area: 199,900 km2

Currency: Kyrgyzstani som

Official Language: Russian, Kyrgyz

Calling Code: +996

Government: Presidential system, Republic, Parliamentary republic

1. World's biggest walnut forests

walnut forest

Who knew Kyrgyzstan has the world’s largest remaining stands of walnut-fruit forests ? Heading west from Jalalabad in southern Kyrgyzstan -- no relation to the eponymous metropolis in eastern Afghanistan -- you’ll see walnuts growing alongside apples, pistachios and other crops suited to the dry climate.

From 1995 to 2010, the Swiss government attempted to help Kyrgyzstan reform its Soviet-designed forestry sector. Experts familiar with the “collaborative forest management” initiative say the results in Kyrgyzstan’s walnut-fruit forests have been, well, mixed. 

2. Osh -- bazaar 

At Osh bazaar, one can buy food products, almost any common household good, clothes, Kyrgyzstan souvenirs, and even musical instruments. Kyrgyz national clothes, which are sold in the national goods section, are mostly sewn at the bazaar at a sewer's guild named "Kyyal" (Kyrgyz: Кыял - "fantasy/dream"), and may be special ordered (for size, colour, etc.) through the bazaar vendors.

3. Home to a super-old tower

Kyrgyzstan’s Burana Tower, which historians say dates to the 10th century, was a lookout for the city of Balasagyn, one of the largest medieval cities in the visually stunning Chui Valley. Fortunately Genghis Khan’s Mongols opted not to destroy the tower when they later stormed through the area.

Be sure to climb the 25-meter-high tower’s cramped interior staircase and enjoy the panoramic view.

4. Lake Issyk kul.

An interesting fact about Lake Issyk Kul, meaning "warm sea", is that it never ever freezes, in spite of being sited in the mountains.

5. Fergana Valley.

Osh city of Kyrgyzstan, sited in the Fergana Valley, is said to be three thousand years old. Fergana Valley has been known for its legendary horses, since the ancient times. Fergana Valley was the birthplace of Akhmed Al Fergani, the famous astronomer from medieval times.

6. Kyrgyzstan Tea.

Common types of bread  available in Kyrgyzstan include Central Asian flat bread, and thick, sturdy Russian breads. Central Asian flat bread is cooked over coals in tandoori ovens, and is round and relatively flat.

More traditional bread products include qattama and boorsoq, two types of fried bread.

The Kyrgyz often eat various breads by dipping it in jam, qaymaq, butter,etc. Boorsoq is sometimes eaten suspended in tea, or dipped in honey.

Bread is valued as sacred in Kyrgyz culture, and a good host always offers a guest bread at the very least (often with tea), even if the guest is only staying for a few moments.