Kyrgyzstan is a Central Asian country bordering China, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. It has a rich history, gaining independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. Kyrgyz culture, including nomadic roots, horse culture, and beautiful textiles, music, and dance, attract tourists. The country is considered accommodating for tourists, with friendly people, good infrastructure, and stable security.
Kyrgyzstan is a medium-sized country in Central Asia. it covers 77,200 square miles (200,000 square km), making it barely smaller than the state of South Dakota. It borders China, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
The land of Kyrgyzstan was first inhabited about 300,000 years ago, and a cohesive civilization existed there as early as 2000 BC, when the Chinese took notice of the region and its inhabitants. However, it was not until 200 BC that relatives of the current inhabitants, the Kyrgyz people, settled in the area. By the 9th century, the Kyrgyz had created a strong state for themselves and greatly expanded their territory. This expansion continued until the rise of the Mongol empire in the 13th century, at which point Kyrgyz lands shrank substantially and moved south. The Kyrgyz lost a lot during the era of Mongol rule, including their written language.
Thereafter the Kyrgyz remained under the yoke of one group or another until independence. First they were controlled by the Kalmyks, then the Manchus and then the Uzbeks. In the late 19th century the Kyrgyz region was annexed by the Russian Empire, remaining first under their control, and then under the control of the Soviets, until independence.
In the 1930s, a degree of autonomy was granted when Kyrgyzstan became a Soviet Socialist Republic, part of the larger USSR as a whole, but relatively independent. Kyrgyzstan finally gained its independence in 1991 after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Nominally an open republic during this period, Kyrgyzstan was nonetheless under fairly tight control. The same man, President Ashkar, led the country from immediately after independence until 2005, using state finances to run his political campaigns and deregistering some opposition candidates.
In 2005 a massive movement against the president, and a subsequent seizure of the capital by peaceful protesters, led to Ashkar’s flight and resignation in what is sometimes called the Tulip Revolution. The introduction of democratic reforms began in 2006 with the adoption of a new constitution. This constitution distributed many of the powers of the presidency to parliament and curtailed other powers.
Kyrgyz culture is a major attraction for people interested in visiting the region. Many people still live with a deep connection to their nomadic roots and the horse plays an important part in everyday life. Beautiful music, dance, textiles and pillows also attract people to Kyrgyzstan. The beauty of nature in Kyrgyzstan is also not to be underestimated. Expansive mountains cover much of the country, sometimes leading it to be referred to as the Switzerland of Central Asia, and subtropical valleys also dot the country.
Many say that Kyrgyzstan is the most accommodating of the “stans” for tourists. The people are friendly and welcoming, the infrastructure is better than in many surrounding countries, and the security situation is stable. Flights regularly arrive in Bishkek from London and the country can also be easily reached via Russia or Turkey.
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