The city of Kant is a city of district subordination. In Kyrgyz, "kant" means sugar; the city is named after the sugar factory that was located here. It was established in 1934, and it was granted city status in 1985. The area of the city is 786 hectares. The population of the city is 22,200 people. The number of households is 7,149. The city of Kant is located 20 km from Bishkek. The nearest airport, "Manas," is 45 km away. The railway station is within the city limits. The city is situated at an altitude of 742 meters above sea level.
More than 23 different nationalities live in the city of Kant, including: Kyrgyz – 6,000 people, Kazakhs – 500 people, Uzbeks – 300 people, Russians – 11,600 people, and other nationalities.
In the vicinity of the city is the Kant military airfield, used by Russia under a treaty. It is located in the Chu River valley, 20 km east of Bishkek, 2 km south of the city of Kant.
In September 2003, Russia signed a 15-year agreement with Kyrgyzstan to station an aviation unit in Kant as part of the Collective Rapid Reaction Forces of the Collective Security Treaty Organization. In 2009, the agreement was extended for another 49 years, with a possible extension for an additional 25 years.
The main task of the airbase is to provide air support for the actions of the military units of the Collective Rapid Reaction Forces of the CSTO.
