Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan is a mountainous country of 5.2 million people in central Asia located south of Kazakhstan and west of China. Kyrgyzstan was annexed by Russia in 1864 and was a part of the Soviet Union until becoming an independent state in 1991.Kyrgyzstan is a republic bordering Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and China and is just smaller than the state of South Dakota. The terrain is mostly soaring mountains (up to 24,400 feet in elevation) with valleys and wide basins providing outstanding natural beauty. Kyrgyzstan also has the world's largest natural growth walnut forest. Their independence day is celebrated August 31st. The major ethnic groups are Kyrgyz (65%), Uzbek (14%) and Russian (12.5%). About 75% of the population is Muslim with about 20% Russian Orthodox.Kyrgyzstan has a largely agricultural economy with some mining and manufacturing. Exported crops include cotton, wool, meat and tobacco. Mined and manufactured goods include gold, mercury, uranium, natural gas, textiles and machinery. The climate ranges form subtropical in the southwest valleys to temperate in the northern foothills and polar in the high Tien Shan mountains.