Kyrgyzstan, formerly one of the republics of the Soviet Union, is a landlocked, mountainous country of Central Asia. Bishkek, its capital and largest city is located just off the northern fringe of the Ala-Too Mountain Range, which rises up to 4,800 meters and provides a spectacular backdrop to the city. North of the city, a fertile and gently rolling steppe extends far north into neighboring Kazakhstan.
The city began as a caravan rest stop along one of the branches of the Silk Road through the Tien Shan Range. Bishkek was fortified in 1825 with a mud fort, and later, became a Russian garrison when it was conquered and razed by Tsarist Russia in 1862. It was renamed in 1877 by the Russian government. The government encouraged Russian peasants to settle there by giving them farms with fertile black soil to develop. After a rocky history, the city gained its independence in early 1991 and returned to its former name, Bishkek.
Today, Bishkek is a modern city that continues to embrace the history and charm of its Soviet Central Asian background. Tourists can find modern architecture nestled side-by-side Soviet-style apartment buildings and city centers. Bishkek has become a major industrial center, producing half of Kyrgyzstan’s output of leather goods, agriculture machinery, and a variety of textiles. Lush parks and alleys make it the greenest city in Central Asia.
Bishkek Profile
Population: 824,900
Languages: Russian, official language Kyrgyz, state language
Religions: Sunni Muslims of the Hanafi sect
Government: Democratic Republic
Ethnic groups: Kyrgyz, Russians, Dungan Chinese, Tartars, Ukranians, Uighurs, Uzbeks, and Germans
Climate: Continental—hot summers and cold winters
Cuisine: Typical meal features many starches along with lamb or beef