Kyrgyzstan Guide, Meaning , Facts, Information and Description
Kyrgyzstan (Kyrgyz: Кыргызстан) is a country in Central Asia. It borders the People's Republic of China, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Its capital is Bishkek (formerly Frunze).
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| National motto: none | |||||
| Official languages | Kyrgyz, Russian | ||||
| Capital | Bishkek | ||||
| President | Askar Akayev | ||||
| Prime Minister | Nikolay Tanayev | ||||
| Area - Total - % water | Ranked 85th 198,500 km² 3.6% | ||||
| Population - Total (2000) - Density | Ranked 112th 4,753,003 24/km² | ||||
| Independence - Declared - Recognised | From Soviet Union August 31, 1991 (Year) | ||||
| Currency | Som | ||||
| Time zone | UTC +5 | ||||
| National anthem | Ak möngülüü aska | ||||
| Internet TLD | .KG | ||||
| Calling Code | 996 | ||||
| Table of contents |
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2 Politics 3 Oblasttar 4 Geography 5 Economy 6 Demographics 7 Culture 8 Miscellaneous topics 9 External links |
Kyrgyzstan was annexed by the Russian Empire in 1864; it achieved independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. Under the USSR, it became a Soviet Socialist Republic in 1937 with the full name of Kirghiz Soviet Socialist Republic, commonly referred to as Kirghizia or Kirghiz SSR.
In the first years of Kyrgyzstan's full independence, President Akayev appeared wholeheartedly committed to the reform process. However, despite the backing of major Western donors, including the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Kyrgyzstan had economic difficulties from the outset. These came mainly as a result of the breakup of the Soviet trading bloc, which impeded the Republic's smooth transition to a free market economy.
Kyrgyzstan is divided into 7 oblasts (singular - oblast, derived from Russian meaning region, province) and 2 cities:
Bishkek city, Batken oblast, Chui oblast (Tokmok), Jalalabad oblast, Naryn Oblast, Osh Oblast, Osh city,Talas oblast, Yssyk-Kul oblast (Karakol).
Note: administrative divisions have the same names as their administrative centers (exceptions have the administrative center name following in parentheses).
Oblasts are further divided into raions (districts), administered by officials appointed by the central government. Rural communities, comprising up to 20 small settlements, are self-governed with elected mayors and councils.
Places include: Kara-Su
Lake: Issyk Kul
Kyrgyzstan is a small, mountainous country with a predominantly agricultural economy. Wheat, potatoes, sugar beets, cotton, wool, tobacco, fruits, beef and mutton are the main agricultural products, with cotton, wool and meat the main exports. Industrial exports include gold, mercury, uranium, and electricity. Kyrgyzstan has been one of the most progressive countries of the former Soviet Union in carrying out market reforms. Following a successful stabilization program, which lowered inflation from 88% in 1994 to 15% in 1997, attention has since then turned toward stimulating growth. Much of the government's stock in enterprises has been sold. Drops in production had been severe since the breakup of the Soviet Union in December 1991, but by mid-1995 production began to recover and exports began to increase. Pensioners, unemployed workers, and government workers with salary arrears continue to suffer. Foreign assistance played a substantial role in the country's economic turnaround. The government has adopted a series of measures to combat such severe problems as excessive external debt, inflation, inadequate revenue collection, and the spillover from Russia's economic disorders. Kyrgyzstan has enjoyed robust growth every year since 1999.History
Main article: History of KyrgyzstanPolitics
Main article: Politics of KyrgyzstanOblasttar
Main article: Oblasttar of KyrgyzstanGeography
Main article: Geography of KyrgyzstanEconomy
Main article: Economy of Kyrgyzstan
| Date | English Name | Local Name | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 1st | New Year | Жаңы жыл |
This is an Article on Kyrgyzstan. Page Contains Information, Facts Details or Explanation Guide About Kyrgyzstan Miscellaneous topics
Tush Kyis Tush kyiz are large, elaborately embroidered wall hangings, traditionally made in Kyrgyzstan by elder women to commemorate the marriage of a son or daughter. Colors and designs are chosen to symbolize Kyrgyz traditions and rural life. Flowers, plants, animals, stylized horns, national designs and emblems of Kyrgyz life are often found in these ornate and colorful embroideries. Designs will sometimes be dated and signed by the artist upon completion of the work, which may take years to finish. The Tush kyiz will be hung in the yurt over the marriage bed of the couple, and symbolize their pride in their Kyrgyz tradition.
When Kyrgyzstan joined the Soviet Union in 1926, the people began to lead a more settled, less nomadic life, abandoning their yurt life for homes or apartments in town. In the summer, however, many would still take their yurts, shyrdaks and tush kyiz to the mountains where they would live during the warm summer months and graze their livestock. During the 63 years of Soviet rule, Kyrgyz women sometimes incorporated Soviet emblems into their tush kyiz to symbolize how Kyrgyzstan had embraced Soviet socialism and the idea of the proletariat.
The tush kyiz embroideries have been a family tradition among these mountain people for centuries, but among the last two generations of women, the tradition has almost completely died out. Modern women are more interested in developing worldly skills and have given up most handicrafts. Shyrdaks (felt rugs) are still being made because these have always been an item for sale to the general public. Tush kyiz, on the other hand, have always been created as a deeply personal family heirloom, symbolizing for a newly married couple their union with family, regional and national tradition.
Today, tush kyiz are found more often in museums than in family homes, as young people are abandoning traditional life-styles. One tradition they are happy to leave behind is the marriage tradition of bride-stealing, where a young woman is kidnapped, taken to a man’s family home and forced into marriage with him. The majority of Kyrgyz marriages are begun in this way, in deference to tradition. In part, the tush kyiz symbolizes deference to this and all Kyrgyz traditions—traditions which are giving way to more western ideas of personal choice.
Tush kyiz—and the life-style they symbolize—have fallen out of favor with the younger generations in Kyrgyzstan, and these magnificent embroideries are no longer being made. However, those that have been created by generations past are works of extraordinary beauty and craftsmanship and will always be honored as works of art.External links