News about Kyrgyzstan, tourism, attractions, Kyrgyz cuisine, history, traditions, and customs

About Kyrgyzstan

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State structure
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National symbols
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Government
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Armed forces
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National currency
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Banknotes
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Circulation coins
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Collectible coins
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Political organization
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Domestic policy
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Foreign policy
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History
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Kyrgyz in antiquity
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Kyrgyz in the VI-XII centuries
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Kyrgyz in the XIII—first half of XVIII century
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The struggle for the independence of the Kyrgyz
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Kyrgyzstan as part of Russia
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Kyrgyzstan during the Soviet period
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Kyrgyzstan — a sovereign state
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Historical records
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Kurmanjan Datka
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Chagatai Ulus. Haidu State. Moghulistan
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History and archeology of the ancient Tien Shan
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Peoples movements of Central Asia in the XIX century
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Kyrgyzstan during the Great Patriotic War
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Kyrgyzstan in the 1920s
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1937 in Kyrgyzstan
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Shabdan Baatyr
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Territory, geography and administrative division
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Chuy Region
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Attractions of Chuy Region
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Issyk-Kul Region
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Sights of Issyk-Kul
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Naryn Region
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Attractions of Naryn Region
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Talas Region
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Attractions of Talas Region
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Osh Region
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Attractions of Osh Region
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Batken Region
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Attractions of Batken Region
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Jalal-Abad Region
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Attractions of Jalal-Abad Region
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Cities
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Bishkek
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Streets of Bishkek
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Pishpek - Frunze - Bishkek
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History of the capital of Kyrgyzstan in documents
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Osh
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Osh - 3000
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Naryn
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Jalal-Abad
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Batken
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Talas
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Karakol
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Tokmok
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Cholpon-Ata
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Uzgen
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Kochkor
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Kemin
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Balykchy
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Kyzyl-Kiya
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Mailuu-Suu
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Sulukta
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Tash-Kumyr
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Toktogul
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Kara-Kul
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Kara-Balta
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Kara-Balta - Black Ax
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Kant
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Villages
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Population
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Language
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Diaspora
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Nature
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Climate
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Natural ecological complexes
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Water resources
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Rivers
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Lakes
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Secrets of Issyk-Kul Lake
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Reservoirs
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Waterfalls
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Mineral waters
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Flora
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Fauna of Kyrgyzstan
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Mammals of Kyrgyzstan
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Birds of Kyrgyzstan
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Fish of Kyrgyzstan
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Amphibians and reptiles of Kyrgyzstan
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Insects of Kyrgyzstan
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Mountains and glaciers
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Mountain ranges
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Mountain peaks
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Mountain passes
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Glaciers
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Caves
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Gorges
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National parks and reserves
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Pastures and valleys
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Soil and minerals
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Red Book
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Fungi and higher plants
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Animals
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Arthropods
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Fish
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Amphibians and reptiles
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Birds
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Mammals
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Economy of Kyrgyzstan
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Entrepreneurship
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Agriculture
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Finance
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Construction
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Industry
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Transport and communications
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Socio-economic resources
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Tourism industry
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Healthcare
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Education
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Sports
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Science
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Environmental science
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Mass media
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Art
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Dances
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Ballet
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Decorative and applied arts
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Musical instruments
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Architecture
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Painting
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Music
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Theater
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Cinema
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Sculpture
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Circus
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Literature
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Photography
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Culture
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Epigraphy
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Folklore
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Kyrgyz heroic epic "Manas"
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The epic "Manas" in prose
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Poetic retelling of the epic "Manas"
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"Semetey" - poetic story
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"Semetey" in prose
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Religion
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Ethnography
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National games
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Customs
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Myths and legends
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Kyrgyz fairy tales
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Kyrgyz cuisine
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Meat and offal dishes
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Soups of Kyrgyzstan
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Main dishes of Kyrgyzstan
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Sweet dishes of Kyrgyzstan
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Drinks of Kyrgyzstan
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Salads and appetizers
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Flour products
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Miscellaneous information about Kyrgyzstan
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Historical and holiday dates of Kyrgyzstan
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Famous personalities of Kyrgyzstan
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Women of Kyrgyzstan
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Historical figures
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Heroes of Kyrgyzstan
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Hero of the Kyrgyz Republic
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Heroes internationalists
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Heroes of Kyrgyzstan in World War II
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Kyrgyzstanis — Full cavaliers of the Order of Glory
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Writers of Kyrgyzstan
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Inventors of Kyrgyzstan
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Scientists of Kyrgyzstan
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Architects of Kyrgyzstan
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Artists of Kyrgyzstan
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Musicians of Kyrgyzstan
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Cinematographers of Soviet Kyrgyzstan
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Actors of Kyrgyzstan
Ala-Archa National Park
Natural ecological complexes

Ala-Archa National Park

The longest gorge, bearing the same name, is located just 30 km from the city. Immediately behind the Voronцовка recreation center are three gorges: Alameddin, from which a small river flows, Malinovoe, overgrown with dense raspberry bushes, and the largest one — Ala-Archa. The word "Ala" translates to "snowy," and "archa" is analogous to "juniper." Indeed, there are glaciers in the gorge that only melt during the scorching summer. The slopes of the

30.04.2014, 16:37
City of Bishkek
Bishkek

City of Bishkek

The capital of Kyrgyzstan sprawls in the central part of the Chui Valley at the northern foothills of the Kyrgyz Range, at an altitude of 750–900 meters above sea level. The city emerged in the second half of the 19th century near the Pishpek fortress and initially bore its name. In 1897, the population was only 6,600 residents. Only a few wooden and brick buildings were located in the center, while pre-revolutionary Pishpek resembled a dusty village with adobe houses. The city's

30.04.2014, 15:07
Northern Kyrgyzstan
Territory, geography and administrative division

Northern Kyrgyzstan

Do you remember the business people from O. Henry's stories? No, not the adventurous plot where a child is kidnapped for ransom, but another one about how real business is done. Enterprising individuals, discovering that the islanders walk barefoot, immediately decided: business can be made by selling shoes. And they began to sell them, putting everything on the line in the full sense of the word: livestock was slaughtered, leather was tanned, shoes were sewn, and a ship loaded with shoes

30.04.2014, 11:42
Why Does the Republic Need Tourism?
Tourism industry

Why Does the Republic Need Tourism?

It is profitable, of course, profitable. But why does such a lucrative sector not yield the expected results? Is nothing being done? Not at all... There is a constant restructuring of management.

29.04.2014, 22:07
Tourism — a Great Business
Tourism industry

Tourism — a Great Business

There are grounds for such a statement. Everyone knows how profitable, for example, the automotive industry is. But let's take France. In this country, tourism has far surpassed not only the automotive industry in terms of income but also many other modern sectors of material production and services. In general, it is hard to name a developed country where tourism does not occupy a leading position in the economy and does not contribute significantly to national income. It is also no

29.04.2014, 21:56
Healing Springs
Mineral waters

Healing Springs

On a hot summer day on the shores of Lake Issyk-Kul, one can observe a strange sight. Adults, seemingly respectable, walk covered in mud. Their legs and arms are especially abundantly coated in clay. Some even manage to smear their bellies. Others—what a wonder!—completely bury themselves, leaving only their heads above the fine sandy shore of the lake.

29.04.2014, 16:46
Decorative and Applied Art of the Kyrgyz People
Decorative and applied arts

Decorative and Applied Art of the Kyrgyz People

A man-made wonder — fantasy and fiction? Yes. But also reality! This is how the art of ancient nomads is described, characterized as mythological in content and realistic in form. Among all forms of art, decorative and applied art is endowed with these traits to the greatest extent.

29.04.2014, 15:30
Kyrgyz National Cuisine
Kyrgyz cuisine

Kyrgyz National Cuisine

In the material culture of any ethnic group, there is a distinctive cuisine. It is no coincidence that experienced ethnographers and scholars recommend starting any study of unfamiliar lifestyles with the typical meals—both everyday and festive.

29.04.2014, 14:43
Traditions of the Kyrgyz
Culture

Traditions of the Kyrgyz

Would you like to watch a competition of horsemen called "ulak tartysh" — "goat pulling"? Or participate in the New Year celebration... on March 22 during the Nowruz holiday? Tourists traveling in Kyrgyzstan have such an opportunity. They can not only familiarize themselves with natural attractions, historical monuments, art, architecture, and modern economic objects, but also learn about the specifics of the material and spiritual culture of the Kyrgyz people, delve into

29.04.2014, 12:50
From Karakurt Spiders to Snow Leopards
Fauna of Kyrgyzstan

From Karakurt Spiders to Snow Leopards

More than 80 species of mammals, over 330 species of birds, about fifty species of fish, including 12 commercial species, and around 30 species of reptiles and amphibians—this is the diversity of Kyrgyz fauna. Each altitude zone and natural landscape typically has its own inhabitants, but there are also cosmopolitan species that can be found both on low plains and in high mountain areas.

29.04.2014, 11:14
Plants of the Jailoo
Flora

Plants of the Jailoo

In translation from Kyrgyz, "jailoo" means summer pasture. What else do you think this word signifies? Abundance. And this is not accidental. The wealth and beauty of alpine meadows cannot be called anything else.

29.04.2014, 10:36
Medicinal Plants of Kyrgyzstan
Flora

Medicinal Plants of Kyrgyzstan

Let’s open the reference books on medicinal plants. St. John's wort, mint, thyme, valerian, motherwort, hawthorn, rosehip, coltsfoot, oregano, plantain, juniper, birch, cornflower, chamomile... This entire list is generously represented in Kyrgyzstan.

29.04.2014, 10:26
Steppe Plants of Kyrgyzstan
Flora

Steppe Plants of Kyrgyzstan

Much larger areas than deserts and semi-deserts are occupied by steppes in Kyrgyzstan, which are classified based on altitude above sea level into low-mountain (1000—1600 meters), mid-mountain (1600—2500), and high-mountain (up to 3500 meters). In terms of vegetation composition, they are divided into grass-like and savanna-like.

28.04.2014, 23:32
Desert Plants of Kyrgyzstan
Flora

Desert Plants of Kyrgyzstan

The very word seems to suggest: empty, hence the desert. In Kyrgyz, it is approximately: чёль (chol). Moreover, this term is used not only for deserts but also for steppes, plains, that is, everything that is not mountains — тоо (too), and not lakes — кёль (köl).

28.04.2014, 23:14
Evergreen Plants of Kyrgyzstan: Juniper
Flora

Evergreen Plants of Kyrgyzstan: Juniper

Who hasn’t heard of juniper? Or cedar? Or cypress? Evergreens — in the literal sense of the word: eternal, not metaphorical — possessing a "balsamic" scent, particularly noticeable since ancient times. According to scientists, they have been known since the Cretaceous period, meaning they are over one hundred million (!) years old, at least in the case of cedar. The branches of these plants line the path of the deceased — as a symbol of death and its overcoming, as a symbol of the

28.04.2014, 22:51
Forests of Kyrgyzstan
Flora

Forests of Kyrgyzstan

A lonely tree does not make a forest. At least, this is what a Kyrgyz folk proverb says. And indeed, it is true. The forests in Kyrgyzstan are unusual — primarily mountainous. Among the ancient Turks, the forest served as an object of worship. And since the forest grows on mountains, the ridge covered with trees is personified: it receives its "own" name. On such a hill, in ancient times, all members of the clan community would gather, where sacrifices were made to Jer-Suu — the main

28.04.2014, 22:27
Tian Shan Fir (Schrenk's Fir)
Flora

Tian Shan Fir (Schrenk's Fir)

In Roman mythology, Flora was chosen as the goddess of flowering ears of grain, flowers, and gardens. Tatius erected an altar to her. During the festival of Flora, blooming ears of grain were brought to her altar. For some reason, the festival was forgotten. Perhaps it was because the games in honor of Flora were accompanied by cheerful debauchery, involving the common people and women of loose morals. The very name of the goddess became a term denoting the totality of all types of plants of a

28.04.2014, 22:13
Kyrgyzstan: Ancient and Modern
About Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan: Ancient and Modern

In which places on the planet can one today encounter untouched, pristine beauty? They are becoming fewer and fewer, and they are retreating higher and higher into... the mountains. Yes, it is the mountains that have been least disturbed by human activity. And it is precisely the mountains that occupy almost three-quarters of the territory of Kyrgyzstan, whose valleys stretch beneath the skies — the lowest of them at an altitude of no less than five hundred meters above sea level. This fact

28.04.2014, 11:42
The Formation and Development of Tourism in the Kyrgyz Republic
Miscellaneous information about Kyrgyzstan

The Formation and Development of Tourism in the Kyrgyz Republic

To err is human, says an ancient Latin proverb. But it is human to err in the process of cognition. And knowledge is the very cause of consciousness. Regardless of what is said about humanity, the thirst for knowledge is one of the most human traits. Chronologically, it is also true. Thus, as long as humanity has existed, so have travels. The thirst for "journeys into the unknown" is truly a passion. It is no coincidence that curiosity has been humorously termed "the lust of the

28.04.2014, 11:18
Natural Heritage of Kyrgyzstan
Nature

Natural Heritage of Kyrgyzstan

In recent years, the concept of natural heritage has increasingly entered analytical research and the practice of natural resource management. The term "natural heritage" became widely used in scientific discourse in the early 1970s, in contrast to the term "cultural heritage," which appeared several decades earlier. This was related to the preparation and adoption of the UNESCO Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage in 1972. In

27.04.2014, 23:34
Protected Natural Areas and Conservation Activities
Environmental science

Protected Natural Areas and Conservation Activities

Nature is the primary source of satisfying the material and spiritual needs of people. Any products consumed by humans are ultimately created through the use of natural resources. At the same time, the use of nature's wealth must be reasonable and well thought out. Careless attitudes towards nature and irrational use of its resources can lead to undesirable consequences.

27.04.2014, 23:23
Geoecological Requirements for the Protection of Water Bodies
Environmental science

Geoecological Requirements for the Protection of Water Bodies

The intensive development of industry, transportation, and overpopulation in several areas of the Chui Valley has led to significant pollution of the hydrosphere. Pollution of surface waters is the process of changing the physical, chemical, or biological properties of natural waters upon the introduction of various substances that can have harmful effects on humans and nature. Any compound that disrupts norms and deteriorates water quality is considered a water pollutant.

27.04.2014, 23:15
Use of Water in Human Economic Activities
Environmental science

Use of Water in Human Economic Activities

By the nature of water use, all modern sectors of the economy in the Chui Valley are usually divided into associations of water consumers and associations of water users. Water consumers are those sectors that extract water from its natural sources, use it for the production of industrial or agricultural products, for the domestic needs of the population, and return it to the sources elsewhere in smaller quantities and often in a polluted form. Sectoral water consumers include industry,

27.04.2014, 23:00
Measures for the Protection and Regulation of Air Pollution
Environmental science

Measures for the Protection and Regulation of Air Pollution

To regulate emissions of harmful substances into the atmosphere, individual norms are used for each substance at the enterprise. The maximum allowable emissions (MAE), which take into account the number of sources, their height, the distribution of emissions over time and space, and other factors, are provided by GOST 172302-78.

27.04.2014, 22:47
Geoecological Requirements for Land Protection and Rational Use
Environmental science

Geoecological Requirements for Land Protection and Rational Use

It has been noted above that a significant part of the territory of the republic is subject to erosion processes. The problem of combating water erosion of soils can be solved through a set of anti-erosion measures, taking into account the characteristics of the terrain, agro-physical properties, and mechanical composition of the soils.

27.04.2014, 22:26
Land Pollution
Environmental science

Land Pollution

Pollution, in a broad sense, is understood as the introduction of new (usually non-characteristic for it) physical, chemical, biological, and informational agents into the ecological environment, or a technogenic exceeding of the level of natural factors, leading to negative consequences. In general terms, this term characterizes all bodies and substances that appear "in the wrong place, at the wrong time, and in the wrong quantity, which is natural for nature" /N.F.Reimers, 1993/.

27.04.2014, 22:17
Geoecological condition of the land
Environmental science

Geoecological condition of the land

Currently, in the Chui Valley, with the formation of numerous small farms, peasant and other households, there has been a fragmentation of large farms from former collective and state farms. The tense ecological condition of the soil cover has resulted from the irrational use of land by farming and peasant households. Crop rotations are not followed, and in most cases, the planting of grain, technical, and other crops is practiced continuously. Monoculture leads to land degradation under the

27.04.2014, 21:31
Adverse Natural Disastrous Processes
Environmental science

Adverse Natural Disastrous Processes

A specific form of natural conditions is represented by the internal adverse dangerous natural phenomena (ADNP) or natural disasters inherent to certain localities. In specialized literature, the concept of a natural disaster is interpreted as a dangerous natural phenomenon that causes an emergency situation.

27.04.2014, 20:50
Natural Resources of the Chui Region
Soil and minerals

Natural Resources of the Chui Region

All elements and conditions, as well as phenomena and bodies of nature, can be used in public production to meet the material, cultural, and scientific needs of society and constitute its raw material and energy base, which are called natural resources.

27.04.2014, 10:29
Fauna of the Chui Valley
Fauna of Kyrgyzstan

Fauna of the Chui Valley

The fauna of the Chui Valley is part of the Western Tienir-Tous zoogeographic region. According to specialists, more than 300 species of vertebrates inhabit this area, including over 15 species of fish, about 280 species of birds, and 50 species of mammals. The densely populated plains of the Chui Valley are mostly developed, and the natural landscape has been significantly altered, leading to a decrease in animal populations each year. In the late 19th century, tigers, wild boars, and others

27.04.2014, 00:15
Vegetation of the Chui Region
Flora

Vegetation of the Chui Region

The Chuy Valley and the northern slope of the Kyrgyz Range is one of the most studied areas of the Republic in terms of flora and geobotany. Significant contributions to the study of the flora of the Chuy Valley have been made by I.V. Vykhodtsev, E.V. Nikitina, A.G. Golovkova, A. Moldoyarov, L.I. Popova, and others.

27.04.2014, 00:10
Soil of the Chui Valley
Soil and minerals

Soil of the Chui Valley

The soil-vegetation cover of the Chui Valley and its mountainous framing, as the most important components, are subject to the regular altitudinal zonation of landscapes. In general terms, the altitudinal belts coincide with the tiers of relief and climatic zones. The correct determination of altitudinal belts in the mountains currently acquires particular significance, as this concept encompasses the entire range of natural phenomena, and practical measures should evidently also be

27.04.2014, 00:03
Lakes in the Chui Region
Lakes

Lakes in the Chui Region

There are relatively few lakes in the Chui Valley and its mountainous surroundings, and all of them are small. The Kyrgyz Ridge contains several dozen mountain lakes. The vast majority of these are very shallow lakes, with a diameter of no more than 0.1-0.2 km. Most of the lakes are located at altitudes of 3000-3500 m. They are fed by meltwater from glaciers and snow, as well as rainwater. In the basin of the Issyk-Ata River, there are three lakes with a total area of 0.09 km². The largest

26.04.2014, 23:45
Rivers of the Chui Valley
Rivers

Rivers of the Chui Valley

The Chui Valley has a developed river network. The river network is especially dense on the northern slopes of the Kyrgyz Ala-Too. Most of these rivers belong to the basin of the Chu River. The small rivers in the northwestern part of the ridge disappear into the waterless plain as they exit the mountains. The main water artery is the Chu River. The area of the watershed is over 50,000 km². The length of the river, along with the Joong-Aryk River, is 140 km, while within the Chui depression it

26.04.2014, 22:43
Modern Glaciation in the Chuy Valley
Glaciers

Modern Glaciation in the Chuy Valley

Kyrgyz Ridge - the most glaciated area in the northern part of our republic. However, despite this and its proximity to the capital of the republic, it remained unexplored for a long time. Essentially, one of the first researchers of the glaciation of this ridge, who calculated the area of glaciers, was H.L. Korzhenyevsky (1930; 1932). However, a significant contribution to the study of the glaciers of the Kyrgyz Ridge was made by the Leningrad geographer E.V. Maximov (1964, 1972).

26.04.2014, 21:39
Climate in the Chui Valley
Climate

Climate in the Chui Valley

The Chui Valley is located in the extreme southern part of the temperate zone, farthest from the oceans and close to the deserts of Kazakhstan, which determines the high amount of heat, continentality, and dryness of its climate. In the central part of the Chui Valley (the capital Bishkek), the average annual sunshine duration is 2584 hours, which is more than in Almaty (by 6-13%) and less than in Cholpon-Ata (2613 hours) and Karakol (2657 hours).

26.04.2014, 21:23
Relief of the Chuy Valley
Chuy Region

Relief of the Chuy Valley

The main types and forms of relief in the region are the result of prolonged geological development of the territory, tectonics, combined with the complex composition of the lithology of rocks and the active participation of various physical-geographical processes. All of this has determined the complex diversity of the surface structure of the Chuy Valley and its mountainous framing.

26.04.2014, 21:04
Tectonics of the Chuy Valley
Chuy Region

Tectonics of the Chuy Valley

The main structures of the Chui Basin and its mountainous framing were formed by Baikal and Caledonian orogenies. The oldest (Archean - early Proterozoic) crystalline basement is exposed in the eastern mountain framing of the basin called Aktyuz-Bordin; in the northern framing of the basin, the gneissic basement lies at a depth of 2-3 km, plunging to 12 km to the south, and in the axial part of the Kyrgyz Range - to a depth of up to 5 km.

26.04.2014, 20:50
Kyrgyzstan and International Organizations
Foreign policy

Kyrgyzstan and International Organizations

A special direction of foreign policy activity during the past period has been the development of cooperation between Kyrgyzstan and donor countries and international financial institutions. This cooperation has played a significant role in carrying out economic and political reforms.

26.04.2014, 20:02
Lullaby Celebration (Beshik Toy)
Customs

Lullaby Celebration (Beshik Toy)

The birth of a child among the Kyrgyz, like among other peoples of the world, is an indescribable joy and the greatest celebration. After the baby is named, the "Beshik toy" — the lullaby celebration — begins. Guests are invited. Livestock is slaughtered, a dastorkhon (tablecloth) is spread, boorsoks (fried dough) are prepared, and meat is boiled in large cauldrons. The komuz (a traditional musical instrument) plays, and cheerful songs are sung...

24.04.2014, 19:34