The territory of medieval Kyrgyzstan was home to numerous plant species, many of which are endemics representing a highly valuable gene pool for our planet. In accordance with the physical and geographical zones characteristic of Kyrgyzstan, several types of vegetation formed: steppe, tall grass, subalpine, and alpine meadows, unique pistachio, almond, cherry, exochorda, and other shrubs; relict nut-bearing forests, fir, spruce, maple, birch, poplar-willow, and juniper forests.
The diverse forest species were suitable for processing and construction. The fauna of Kyrgyzstan is also diverse. Mountains, foothills, meadows, and forests were habitats for many animal species. Historical sources mention that during the period of Turkic states, especially in the Karakhanid period, there were a number of "kuruqs" (reserves) in Kyrgyzstan that belonged to high-ranking officials. "Royal hunts" were organized in the kuruqs.
For example, during his journey to Semirechye, the Chinese ambassador Xuanzang, who arrived in 630 in the Western Turkic Khaganate, visited the Min-Bulak Reserve in the Talas Valley, where he saw numerous deer grazing with colored ribbons around their necks. These deer turned out to be "royal animals," hunting them was prohibited for everyone except the khan's family.
Numerous rivers—still the main waterways of Kyrgyzstan, such as the Naryn and Karadar'ya (flowing into the Syr Darya), Chuy, and Sary-Jaz—were the main sources of life in the region. Lake Issyk-Kul, considered the largest lake in Central Asia (not counting the Caspian and Aral Seas as lakes), was not only a beautiful natural monument but also a vital habitat for the population. Around the lake lived numerous indigenous tribes that provided several Turkic dynasties for the Karluk and Karakhanid khaganates, and many cities and settlements were founded here.
In the VI—VIII centuries, Fergana (its Chinese names are Ninyuan and Bohanna) included six large and 100 small towns (probably kystaks), renowned for its agriculture, crafts, and mining industry. There are indications of large-scale production of cinnabar, gold, and iron. Historical sources contain much information that the land of the "khirkhiz" (the Arabic pronunciation of Kyrgyz) contains many different types of minerals. Among them are musks, limestone, dyeing substances, metal ores, gold, and silver.
