Secrets of Issyk-Kul Lake

The Discoveries of Zhang Qian

The Fergana Miracle Dawan of that time (Fergana, including the south of Kyrgyzstan) represented a strong state formation, a union of "oasis-cities" led by a local dynasty. The Chinese were accustomed to the idea that real (not felt) buildings, canals, and developed agriculture existed only in their homeland, while neighboring lands languished in barbaric ignorance. Dawan pleasantly surprised them. No, it didn’t just surprise them — it shocked them! They discovered well-tended fields

06.08.2019, 12:23

Secrets of Issyk-Kul Lake

The Feat of Zhang Qian

The Opening of the Great Silk Road “The world is small” — sounds like a truism today. But three thousand years ago, these words would have seemed blasphemous. The Greeks, Egyptians, Phoenicians, Medes, and Sogdians have been connected by cultural and economic interests since ancient times. They traded. And how they traded! Large trading centers, trade routes, trading fleets, and caravans emerged; crafts developed, money appeared, along with banks, moneylenders, and currency exchangers...

04.08.2019, 10:45

Fauna of Kyrgyzstan / Birds of Kyrgyzstan

Herbalist - The Herb

Herbivore. A slender sandpiper slightly larger than a thrush. In breeding plumage, gray coloration with dense spotting predominates both above and below. The character of the spotting is subject to significant variation. Bright orange-red legs in all plumages are one of the most important features of the herbivore. The underside of the wings is pure white. The base of the beak is orange-red, while the tip is black. These sandpipers arrive quite early, in small flocks, pairs, and as singles.

03.08.2019, 05:03

Secrets of Issyk-Kul Lake

Archaeological Research of the Bottom of Lake Issyk-Kul

How long will the regression of the "pearl of Ala-Tuu" last? The famous aphorism "Plato is my friend, but truth is a greater friend" was uttered by Aristotle after reading Plato's dialogues "Timaeus" and "Critias," in which one of the greatest catastrophes in human history—the demise of Atlantis in the ocean depths—is narrated as a credible fact. Aristotle did not believe that such a thing could happen. Debates about whether Atlantis—a cultured and

02.08.2019, 20:02

Glaciers

Kolpakovsky Glacier

The Kolpakovsky Glacier is the most significant glacier of the Terkey-Ala-Too range. Its length is about 12 km, consisting of three branches with separate powerful accumulation areas, which represent extensive snow plateaus at an altitude of 4300-4400 meters, dropping to the north with elongated walls. To the south, the glacier gently descends to the moraines, making it wide and mostly calm, forming a small icefall only in the middle part. Right in the center of the glacier, about 20 meters

30.07.2019, 18:49

Fauna of Kyrgyzstan / Birds of Kyrgyzstan

Black-headed Shrike - Lanius nubicus

Black-headed Shrike. The black-headed shrike measures 21 - 23.5 cm in length and weighs 47 - 53 g. It is similar in size to a starling and generally resembles the gray shrike in coloration, with a pale, bluish-gray back, but it has a black crown, a wide stripe on the sides of the head (across the eye), and black wings and tail. The wing spots, tail side stripes, and underside are white with a grayish-pink or pink tinge on the chest and sides. Among the birds returning in spring, the

30.07.2019, 17:31

Fauna of Kyrgyzstan / Birds of Kyrgyzstan

Owl - үkü

Owl (white, eared, marsh, hawk). Order of birds of prey, including more than 420 large and medium-sized species, mostly nocturnal birds. The order consists of two families: true owls and barn owls. Brief description: large head, big round eyes at the front of the head, short, predatory beak.

24.07.2019, 18:22

Fauna of Kyrgyzstan / Birds of Kyrgyzstan

Pink Starling - Pink Cherychik

Pink Starling. Its head has a long hanging crest at the back, the neck from the front to the chest, and the back to the beginning of the neck are black, with a dark purple sheen. The wings, tail, upper and lower coverts of the tail, along with the lower part of the thigh, are black with a steel green sheen. All other plumage is pink. The beak is pink-red, and the legs are pinkish-brown. In behavior, it undoubtedly resembles our common starling in many ways, but it differs significantly in many

20.07.2019, 17:48

National parks and reserves

Protected Natural Areas of Kyrgyzstan

Categories of Protected Natural Areas in Kyrgyzstan Kyrgyzstan has established 83 special reserves, covering a total area of 761,300 hectares, which accounts for almost 4.45% of the country's territory. - 10 state reserves (288,000 ha); - 10 state natural national parks (276,000 ha); - 10 forest, 23 botanical, 18 geological, 2 complex, and 14 hunting (zoological) reserves with a total area of 325,000 ha.

18.07.2019, 03:16

Flora

Natural Plants of Kyrgyzstan

Natural Flowers in Kyrgyzstan Every year, the number of true nature enthusiasts increases, who cherish both the humble steppe flower and the plants of alpine and subalpine meadows with their bright and colorful blooms. Spring plants attract special attention.

15.07.2019, 13:54

Fauna of Kyrgyzstan / Birds of Kyrgyzstan

The title translates to "The Azure Magpie - Blue Crow."

Sizovoronka. A bird of the sizovoronkov family. It inhabits sparse old forests, edges, clearings, glades, along railways and highways, power lines, and is found in old parks and groves. Length up to 35 cm, weight up to 160 grams. The main color of the plumage is bluish-green, with a reddish-brown back. Among the modestly colored birds, the sizovoronka stands out with its special beauty. It seems to have brought enchanting colors from the distant south, the brilliant blue of the sky, and the

14.07.2019, 05:05

Flora

Roses. Perennial Rhizomes Wintering in the Soil of Kyrgyzstan

Roses Roses belong to the group of ornamental shrubs, and therefore they differ significantly from herbaceous perennials in terms of reproduction methods and cultivation technology. In landscaping, both wild species of roses with non-double flowers (wild roses) and garden varieties are used.

13.07.2019, 08:17

Fauna of Kyrgyzstan / Birds of Kyrgyzstan

Pogonish - Pogoyun

Pogonys. A small bird, slightly smaller than a corncrake, measuring 21-25 cm in length and weighing 80-130 g. The plumage is mottled and generally darker than that of the corncrake Pogonys. The head and the front part of the neck are lead-gray, with frequent light speckles. The upper part of the body and wings are dark brown or olive, with small white and large black spots. The belly is lighter—ochre, sometimes with rare small spots. The undertail is reddish. The wings are short, slightly

11.07.2019, 15:01

Fauna of Kyrgyzstan / Birds of Kyrgyzstan

The title translates to "The Coot - The Aaram Duck."

Grebes — Family Podicipedidae (little grebe, black-necked grebe, red-necked grebe, gray-cheeked grebe, great crested grebe). They are a family of waterfowl. It includes 22 species, three of which are extinct. The Russian name "поганка" (poganka) comes from the unpleasant taste of their meat, which has an unpleasant fishy smell. The sizes of grebes range from 23 to 74 cm, with an average weight of 120 to 1500 g. There are two main types of grebes: those with long, sharp beaks that

10.07.2019, 11:05

National parks and reserves

State Natural National Park "Kyrchyn"

State Natural National Park "Kyrchin" The State Natural National Park "Kyrchin" was established in August 2004 by the Resolution of the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic No. 632, covering an area of 35,000 hectares. The purpose of establishing the State Natural National Park "Kyrchin" is to preserve the biological diversity of animal and plant life, and natural complexes in the recreational area of Lake Issyk-Kul, which have special ecological,

08.07.2019, 10:12

Flora

Rudbeckia, Tradescantia, Function, Phloxes. Rhizomatous Perennials Wintering in the Soil of Kyrgyzstan

Rudbeckia (Rudbeckia L.). It grows wild in North America and Mexico, where up to 30 species can be found. It is a hardy and unpretentious plant. The stem is simple or branched. The inflorescence consists of baskets. The flowers are simple or double, with a diameter of up to 15 cm. The marginal flowers are yellow, brown, or purple. It reproduces by seeds and division of clumps.

07.07.2019, 13:06

Fauna of Kyrgyzstan / Birds of Kyrgyzstan

Common Quail - Жалпы бөдөнө

Common Quail, A bird of the pheasant family from the order of galliformes. Body length 16-20 cm, weight 80-145 g. Plumage is ochre in color, with the top of the head, back, rump, and upper tail coverts having dark and light brown transverse stripes and spots; there is a reddish stripe behind the eyes, and the throat is reddish. The male has dark reddish cheeks, a reddish throat, and a black chin and throat. The female differs from the male by having a pale ochre chin and throat and the

06.07.2019, 03:27

Flora

Peonies, Primroses. Perennial Rhizomes Wintering in the Soil of Kyrgyzstan

Peony (Paeonia L.) One of the most popular and beautiful flowering plants. There are 15 species of peonies known in nature, one of which is the intermedia, commonly referred to as "Maryin root," found in the mountainous regions of our republic. The most widely cultivated varieties are those obtained from the Chinese peony through multiple hybridizations. Peony is a winter-hardy plant (it winters well without shelter in our conditions), and it is very demanding of light, so it is best

04.07.2019, 19:30

Fauna of Kyrgyzstan / Birds of Kyrgyzstan

The title translates to "Penočky - Mýmýt."

Green Warbler. A small, delicate, active, and very cheerful bird. The top of the head and back are green, the underside is yellowish, and there is one light transverse stripe on the wing. A narrow yellow stripe runs from the base of the beak to the nape. The green warbler is a common, sometimes numerous migratory bird that nests in various habitats. It inhabits spruce, fir, larch, pine, mixed forests, and occasionally birch groves at altitudes up to 1900 m in Altai and 2700-2800 m in Tien

01.07.2019, 05:00

Flora

Lily of the Valley, Poppy, Small-leaved Aster, Monarda. Rhizomatous Perennials Wintering in the Soil of Kyrgyzstan

May Lily (Convallaria majalis L.). Has long been used in decorative gardening. Beautiful not only are the fragrant bell-shaped white flowers, but also the green elongated-elliptical leaves, creating a uniform dark green carpet up to 20 cm high in places where sunlight does not penetrate or barely penetrates. There are varieties with pink and blue flowers.

28.06.2019, 05:25

Fauna of Kyrgyzstan / Birds of Kyrgyzstan

Peganica - Atayka

Pegan. A large waterfowl of the duck family (weight 1.0-1.5 kg) characterized by distinctive plumage with a combination of white, reddish, gray, and black colors. On the main white background, the black head and reddish-brown band across the chest stand out. The bill is red, with a bulge on the forehead in males. It swims well, and only the chicks dive. It flies silently. During migration, it travels in large flocks, in a wedge or an expanded front. The voice is a dull, soft quacking like

26.06.2019, 17:44

Flora

Daylily, Marsh Marigold. Perennial Herbaceous Plants Wintering in the Soil of Kyrgyzstan

Daylily, Hemerocallis (Hemerocallis L.). In nature, it is found on the edges of forests, among shrubs, near water bodies. In the wild, it is distributed in the Far East, Eastern Siberia, China, and Japan. The plant is rhizomatous, with some species having thickened, spindle-shaped roots. The leaves are basal, sessile, linear, straight, or arching. The flower stalks rise above the leaves, sturdy, 50—100 cm tall, ending in a clustered or spreading inflorescence. The flowers, in groups of 2—8,

23.06.2019, 11:48

Fauna of Kyrgyzstan / Birds of Kyrgyzstan

Shepherd - El

Pastushok A small bird (weighing up to 170 g), it runs excellently and is closely associated with coastal shrub and grass thickets. Its body is spindle-shaped, strongly compressed from the sides. The back is olive-brown with black stripes, the neck and chest are gray, the rear part of the belly is ochre, while the middle of the belly and sides are covered with transverse stripes (wide black and narrow white). The legs are reddish-yellow, and the eye is orange-red. The beak is long, slightly

22.06.2019, 08:58

Flora

Incarvillea and Irises. Rhizomatous Perennials Wintering in the Soil of Kyrgyzstan

Incarvillea (Incarvillea Juss.). Grows wild in China. The roots are turnip-shaped, fleshy, with rosette leaves that are pinnately dissected and on long petioles. The flowers are funnel-shaped, carmine-pink, orange-yellow, and pink-lilac, gathered in loose inflorescences. It grows well in nutrient-rich soils and open sunny places. Two species are particularly interesting: I. Delavayi (I. Delavayi Bur. et Franch.) reaches a height of up to 70 cm, with carmine-pink flowers and a yellow throat;

21.06.2019, 09:00

Fauna of Kyrgyzstan / Birds of Kyrgyzstan

Osprey (simple, sluices)

Osayed (common, crested). A daytime predator of the hawk family from the falconiformes order. A rather rare bird. The osayed got its name because it destroys wasp nests and eats their larvae. Besides them, it can feed on bumblebee or wild bee larvae. It also eats frogs, lizards, rodents, beetles, grasshoppers, and small birds. A large bird with a relatively long tail and narrow wings. The wingspan is about 1.2 m. There are short, stiff feathers on the forehead and around the eyes that resemble

19.06.2019, 22:16

Flora

Bergenia, Anemone, Helenium, Delphinium. Rhizomatous Perennials Overwintering in the Soil of Kyrgyzstan

Bergenia (Bergenia Moench). The plant retains its foliage year-round. It prefers semi-shaded or shaded areas, light nutritious soil, and is moisture-loving. The most common variety in cultivation is B. crassifolia. The leaves are rosette-shaped, leathery, shiny, and decorative. In spring, the bushes are adorned with bright pink flowers gathered in corymbs, located on leafless stems. It blooms from early April for 35-40 days. It is propagated by division of rhizomes and seeds. Division is done

17.06.2019, 12:38

Fauna of Kyrgyzstan / Birds of Kyrgyzstan

Olyapka - The Water Black

Dipper This remarkable diving bird lives along the banks of mountain, fast-flowing rivers and streams. The dipper somewhat resembles thrushes, but it has a very short tail. These small songbirds are capable of diving into icy holes even in winter. It is the size of a small thrush, but more robust. It has a short tail, playfully raised upwards. The top of its head, wings, and tail are dark brown, while its back is aspid gray. Against the overall very dark coloration (almost black on the back,

15.06.2019, 17:26

Waterfalls

Waterfall "Find Me"

Sarala-Saz (Yellowish Swamp). Naryn Region. Located 55 km northwest of the town of Kochkor is the pasture Sarala-Saz – a high-altitude pasture. It is situated at an altitude of over 3000 m. Its name, which translates from Kyrgyz as “yellowish swamp,” comes from the characteristic color of the grass that grows here and the virtually complete absence of bushes and trees around. The waterfall is located 6 km from the pasture, hidden among the rocks (1.5-2 hours ride on horseback). Locals have

15.06.2019, 16:47

Flora

Aquilegia, Armeria, Astilbe, Achillea. Rhizomatous Perennials Wintering in the Soil of Kyrgyzstan

Perennials — flowering plants that grow in one place and maintain their decorative appeal for several years. Ornamental gardening offers a vast assortment of flowering and decorative perennial plants.

14.06.2019, 17:13

Fauna of Kyrgyzstan / Birds of Kyrgyzstan

Ogar - Aŋyr

Ogar. A large duck (weight 1.2–1.6 kg) with a rusty-red coloration and an ochre-white head. The flight feathers, tail, beak, and legs are black. It walks well on land. It also swims well, but rarely dives. It flies quickly. A noisy bird. In flight, it emits a ringing, guttural, and mournful "ang... ang." The female hisses in the nest when danger approaches. For most of the year, these ducks stay in pairs. Ogar usually nests in the burrows of foxes or badgers, but often in abandoned

10.06.2019, 19:37

Fauna of Kyrgyzstan / Birds of Kyrgyzstan

Red-nosed Dive - Kyzyl-ordok

Red-nosed Diving Duck. A rather peculiar duck, biologically considered a transitional form between true, or river, ducks and diving ducks. Its flight is lighter than that of diving ducks; it flies more willingly and longer than they do, and during the mating season, it also flies as long and often as true ducks. It often comes to the shore to feed, moves on land significantly more freely than diving ducks, and when necessary, runs quite quickly. It swims well but dives less frequently and not

08.06.2019, 13:41

Mountain peaks

Peak of Military Topographers

Peak of Military Topographers, Height 6873 meters above sea level. Located in the Central Tien Shan on the Muztag massif. The memory of the immense work of military specialists is immortalized in the name of one of the neighboring peaks, located to the east of Victory Peak at the junction of the Kokshaala-Tau and Meridional ridges. This peak, with a height of 6873 meters, is named the Peak of Military Topographers and is the third highest in the Tien Shan.

07.06.2019, 21:25

Flora

Plants Wintering in the Soil in the Chui Valley

Bulbous and tuberous plants wintering in the ground. This group includes most of the beautiful flowering early spring and spring plants. They are mainly used for decorating flower beds, borders, lawns, alpine slides, and water bodies. They are good for forcing and cutting. Hyacinth (Hyacinthus^ L.). A perennial early spring bulbous plant. The eastern hyacinth (Hyacinthus orientalis L.) and its numerous varieties are widely cultivated.

07.06.2019, 20:45

Fauna of Kyrgyzstan / Birds of Kyrgyzstan

Maina – The Song of the Alkanat Nightingale

Common Myna. Their body plumage is brown-chocolate in color, while the head, neck, wings, and tail are black. The tips of the wings, tail, and undertail coverts are white. There are bright yellow fleshy growths on the sides and behind the eyes, which are sometimes referred to as "ears," and because of these, the mynas are called ear-starlings. Originally widespread in South Asia, they are now also found in Central Asia. The fact that they often settle near human habitation helps them

05.06.2019, 22:48

Flora

Perennials That Do Not Winter Over in the Open Ground

Perennials This group includes plants (dahlias, gladioluses, cannas, montbretia, tuberose) that, due to their biological characteristics, cannot withstand even slight low temperatures. Therefore, their underground parts are dug up in the fall and transferred to special storage facilities, basements, or greenhouses, where optimal conditions for normal wintering are created. Dahlia variabilis, Dahlia (Dahlia Cav.). Native to Mexico and Guatemala. Due to its high decorative value and relatively

02.06.2019, 17:19

Mountain peaks

Peak Karakol

Peak Karakol (5281 m) Located in the Oguz Bashi massif on the southern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul; Peak Karakol is the highest in this area, the highest point of the Terskey Alatau, over 5 thousand meters. There are many climbing routes established here. The ski base "Karakol" is located nearby.

02.06.2019, 16:25

Fauna of Kyrgyzstan / Birds of Kyrgyzstan

The title translates to "Coot - Its Porridge."

Eurasian Coot About the size of a medium duck, it weighs between 600 and 1000 grams. The Eurasian coot is easily recognized by its uniform dark coloration and the white frontal shield, from which it gets its name. The coot is more closely associated with water than other species of our marsh birds, rarely coming ashore; when threatened, it dives into the water and hides in the reeds. The coot swims well but dives poorly. It takes off from the water with difficulty, always against the wind; it

31.05.2019, 03:50

Soil and minerals

The Culture of Natural Resource Management in Kyrgyzstan

The Attitude of the Kyrgyz People Towards Their Land An important renewable natural resource since ancient times has been the mountainous and rugged areas with vast pastures, diverse wildlife, and birds that are objects of hunting. The use of the natural wealth of the habitat was regulated by customary legal norms based on centuries of agricultural experience and empirical knowledge. People tried to adhere to the limits of acceptable exploitation of the developed territories. The nature of

31.05.2019, 00:20

Soil and minerals

Mineral Resources and Other Resources of Kyrgyzstan

People's Experience in Using Natural Resources. The republic has reserves of fossil fuels, including coal, combustible shales, peat, gas, and oil. The large coal reserves have led to Kyrgyzstan being referred to as the "stoker" of Central Asia. Based on coal and oil deposits, worker settlements such as Kyzyl-Kiya, Suluktu, Kek-Jangak, Tash-Kemur, Kochkor-Ata, Min-Kush, Jergalan, and Kazhi-Sai emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. There are huge reserves of lignite

30.05.2019, 23:58

Flora

Promising Flowering and Ornamental Plants for Lawns in Kyrgyzstan

Annuals and Biennials for Flower Beds in Kyrgyzstan Annuals, or as they are commonly called in floriculture, summer flowers, are flowering plants whose entire life cycle occurs during the growing season. This group also includes perennial plants of tropical origin (snapdragon, petunia, verbena) that are grown in our conditions as annuals. In terms of decorative properties, annuals are very diverse. Some bloom for a long time and abundantly, while others have bright or variegated leaves. They

27.05.2019, 19:21

Fauna of Kyrgyzstan / Birds of Kyrgyzstan

Swan - Ak Kuu

The Mute Swan is the largest representative of the order Weight is 7-13 kg, with park birds reaching up to 15 kg. The length, including the neck, can reach 160 cm, and the wingspan can be up to 240 cm. The plumage is white, with an often developed ochreous coating on the head and neck, which arises from the deposition of oxides dissolved in water. The main characteristic is that adult birds have a red bill, with a black bump on the forehead and a black base, a bridle, a velvety bump above the

27.05.2019, 18:21

Nature

Fauna and Flora of Kyrgyzstan

The plant and animal world in the territory of the republic is characterized by great diversity. The distribution of vegetation depends on the complexity of the terrain and is determined by the location of ridges, high zonality, and the exposure of slopes. While thermophilic, drought-resistant plants grow on southern slopes, moisture-loving, frost-resistant plants are found on northern slopes. In the foothills, semi-deserts dominated by wormwood and a mixture of sod grasses are developed. In

26.05.2019, 15:04

Climate

What types of climate are found in Kyrgyzstan?

The Climate of Mountainous Kyrgyzstan The climatic conditions of the country are determined by the peculiarities of its geographical location and relief. In the Kyrgyz Tian Shan, as a high mountain system, almost all types of climate marked on the globe are found, except for tropical and equatorial. Located in the subtropical latitude zone within a vast continent, the territory of the republic is far from the paths of moist air masses. The local climatic conditions of the country are greatly

26.05.2019, 11:32

Fauna of Kyrgyzstan / Birds of Kyrgyzstan

The title translates to "Partridge - Kekilikti."

Partridge (gray, bearded) — widely distributed species. Description of the bearded partridge: Very similar to the gray partridge, but differs at close range by having a black, rather than brown, abdominal spot, and a light reddish color on the chest alongside gray. Additionally, there is a black stripe under the eye across the cheek. In autumn and winter, both males and females have elongated feathers on the sides of the throat — a "beard." Seasonal changes in coloration are minor;

23.05.2019, 17:50

Flora

Decorative Horticulture in Kyrgyzstan

Floral and Decorative Design People have been fascinated by flowers since ancient times. It is now hard to imagine large and small cities, worker settlements, and collective farm estates without green embellishments. Flowers accompany humans throughout their lives, bringing joy during holidays and everyday life, providing true aesthetic pleasure, softening life's failures, and uplifting spirits. Recently, the passion for floriculture has become a widespread phenomenon.

22.05.2019, 16:17

Fauna of Kyrgyzstan / Birds of Kyrgyzstan

Kurgannik Mohnonogiy - Oroy-buttyu Kulaly

Kurgannik Mohnonogiy - a rare Central Asian mountain-steppe species. It is found in mountains and plains, in dry steppe areas. It is a sedentary or partially migratory species. A predatory bird of the hawk family, measuring from 57 to 67 cm in length, with a wingspan of 143 to 161 cm. Males are one-fifth smaller than females. It closely resembles a buzzard. There are light and dark morphs, differing in the amount of reddish-brown feathers. The legs are partially covered with feathers and fine

21.05.2019, 14:42

Fauna of Kyrgyzstan / Birds of Kyrgyzstan

Common Cuckoo - Kүkuк

Cuckoo - a bird of the cuckoo family. Externally resembles a small hawk. The total length reaches 32-34 cm, wingspan 55-65 cm, weight up to 80-190 g. An adult male has the entire upper side of its body, including the head, colored dark gray. The throat and crop are also gray, but of a lighter ash shade. The belly is white, with dark transverse stripes. The tail feathers have white tips and spots along the shafts. It lives in light forests and gardens. It is beneficial, feeding on insects and

18.05.2019, 23:10

Flora

Medicinal Plants of Kyrgyzstan

MEDICINAL PLANTS Medicinal substances of plant origin play a significant role in the creation of effective medicinal preparations. Currently, more than 50% of medicinal products are made from plants. Over 1500 species of medicinal plants grow in the territory of the Soviet Union. However, only 200-300 species are used for the production of various medicinal preparations. Every year, about 30,000 tons of medicinal raw materials are harvested in our country.

18.05.2019, 12:20