cable Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG); linked to Bahrain,
Qatar, UAE via the Fiber-Optic Gulf (FOG) cable; coaxial cable and
microwave radio relay to Saudi Arabia; satellite earth stations - 6
(3 Intelsat - 1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean, 1 Inmarsat -
Atlantic Ocean, and 2 Arabsat)
Broadcast media:
state-owned TV broadcaster operates 4 networks and a satellite
channel; several private TV broadcasters have emerged since 2003;
satellite TV is available with pan-Arab TV stations especially
popular; state-owned Radio Kuwait broadcasts on a number of channels
in Arabic and English; first private radio station emerged in 2005;
transmissions of at least 2 international radio broadcasters are
available (2007)
Internet country code:
.kw
Internet hosts:
2,485 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 151
Internet users:
1.1 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 96
Transportation ::Kuwait
Airports:
7 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 168
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 4
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2010)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 3
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
under 914 m: 2 (2010)
Heliports:
4 (2010)
Pipelines:
gas 269 km; oil 540 km; refined products 57 km (2009)
Roadways:
total: 5,749 km
country comparison to the world: 150
paved: 4,887 km
unpaved: 862 km (2004)
Merchant marine:
total: 30
country comparison to the world: 83
by type: bulk carrier 1, carrier 3, container 6, liquefied gas 4,
petroleum tanker 16
registered in other countries: 47 (Bahamas 2, Bahrain 5, Comoros 1,
Libya 1, Malta 2, Panama 12, Qatar 7, Saint Kitts and Nevis 3, Saudi
Arabia 4, UAE 10) (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Ash Shu'aybah, Ash Shuwaykh, Az Zawr (Mina' Sa'ud), Mina' 'Abd
Allah, Mina' al Ahmadi
Military ::Kuwait
Military branches:
Kuwaiti Land Forces (KLF), Kuwaiti Navy, Kuwaiti Air Force
(Al-Quwwat al-Jawwiya al-Kuwaitiya), Kuwaiti National Guard (KNG)
(2009)
Military service age and obligation:
18-30 years of age for compulsory and 18-25 years of age for
voluntary military service; women age 18-30 may be subject to
compulsory military service; conscription suspended in 2001 (2009)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 1,131,529
females age 16-49: 612,126 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 979,832
females age 16-49: 539,574 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 19,038
female: 19,787 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
5.3% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 14
Transnational Issues ::Kuwait
Disputes - international:
Kuwait and Saudi Arabia continue negotiating a joint maritime
boundary with Iran; no maritime boundary exists with Iraq in the
Persian Gulf
Trafficking in persons:
current situation: Kuwait is a destination country for men and women
who migrate legally from South and Southeast Asia for domestic or
low-skilled labor, but are subjected to conditions of involuntary
servitude by employers in Kuwait including conditions of physical
and sexual abuse, non-payment of wages, confinement to the home, and
withholding of passports to restrict their freedom of movement;
Kuwait is reportedly a transit point for South and East Asian
workers recruited for low-skilled work in Iraq; some of these
workers are deceived as to the true location and nature of this
work, and others are subjected to conditions of involuntary
servitude in Iraq
tier rating: Tier 3 - Kuwaiti government has shown an inability to
define trafficking and has demonstrated insufficient political will
to address human trafficking adequately; much of the human
trafficking found in Kuwait involves domestic workers in private
residences and the government is reluctant to prosecute Kuwaiti
citizens; the government has not enacted legislation targeting human
trafficking nor established a permanent shelter for victims of
trafficking (2009)
page last updated on January 13, 2011
======================================================================
@Kyrgyzstan (Central Asia)
Introduction ::Kyrgyzstan
Background:
A Central Asian country of incredible natural beauty and proud
nomadic traditions, most of Kyrgyzstan was formally annexed to
Russia in 1876. The Kyrgyz staged a major revolt against the Tsarist
Empire in 1916 in which almost one-sixth of the Kyrgyz population
was killed. Kyrgyzstan became a Soviet republic in 1936 and achieved
independence in 1991 when the USSR dissolved. Nationwide
demonstrations in the spring of 2005 resulted in the ouster of
President Askar AKAEV, who had run the country since 1990.
Subsequent presidential elections in July 2005 were won
overwhelmingly by former prime minister Kurmanbek BAKIEV. Over the
next few years, the new president manipulated the parliament to
accrue new powers for himself. In July 2009, after months of
harassment against his opponents and media critics, BAKIEV won
re-election in a presidential campaign that the international
community deemed flawed. In April 2010, nationwide protests led to
the resignation and expulsion of BAKIEV. He was replaced by
President Roza OTUNBAEVA who will serve as president until 31
December 2011 according to a presidential decree issued 19 May 2010.
Presidential elections are scheduled to be held in October 2011.
Continuing concerns include: endemic corruption, poor interethnic
relations, and terrorism.
Geography ::Kyrgyzstan
Location:
Central Asia, west of China
Geographic coordinates:
41 00 N, 75 00 E
Map references:
Asia
Area:
total: 199,951 sq km
country comparison to the world: 86
land: 191,801 sq km
water: 8,150 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than South Dakota
Land boundaries:
total: 3,051 km
border countries: China 858 km, Kazakhstan 1,224 km, Tajikistan 870
km, Uzbekistan 1,099 km
Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:
none (landlocked)
Climate:
dry continental to polar in high Tien Shan Mountains; subtropical in
southwest (Fergana Valley); temperate in northern foothill zone
Terrain:
peaks of Tien Shan and associated valleys and basins encompass
entire nation
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Kara-Daryya (Karadar'ya) 132 m
highest point: Jengish Chokusu (Pik Pobedy) 7,439 m
Natural resources:
abundant hydropower; significant deposits of gold and rare earth
metals; locally exploitable coal, oil, and natural gas; other
deposits of nepheline, mercury, bismuth, lead, and zinc
Land use:
arable land: 6.55%
permanent crops: 0.28%
other: 93.17%
note: Kyrgyzstan has the world's largest natural-growth walnut
forest (2005)
Irrigated land:
10,720 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
46.5 cu km (1997)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 10.08 cu km/yr (3%/3%/94%)
per capita: 1,916 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
NA
Environment - current issues:
water pollution; many people get their water directly from
contaminated streams and wells; as a result, water-borne diseases
are prevalent; increasing soil salinity from faulty irrigation
practices
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate
Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone
Layer Protection, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
landlocked; entirely mountainous, dominated by the Tien Shan range;
94% of the country is 1,000 m above sea level with an average
elevation of 2,750 m; many tall peaks, glaciers, and high-altitude
lakes
People ::Kyrgyzstan
Population:
5,508,626 (July 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 110
Age structure:
0-14 years: 29.7% (male 822,128/female 789,425)
15-64 years: 64.5% (male 1,717,497/female 1,787,551)
65 years and over: 5.8% (male 123,045/female 192,101) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 24.7 years
male: 23.8 years
female: 25.6 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.414% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 88
Birth rate:
23.58 births/1,000 population (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 70
Death rate:
6.85 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 144
Net migration rate:
-2.58 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 180
Urbanization:
urban population: 36% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 1.6% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.053 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.64 male(s)/female
total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 30.25 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 73
male: 35.09 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 25.15 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 69.74 years
country comparison to the world: 147
male: 65.74 years
female: 73.94 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.64 children born/woman (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 82
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
less than 0.1% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 120
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
4,200 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 125
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 200 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 110
Nationality:
noun: Kyrgyzstani(s)
adjective: Kyrgyzstani
Ethnic groups:
Kyrgyz 64.9%, Uzbek 13.8%, Russian 12.5%, Dungan 1.1%, Ukrainian 1%,
Uighur 1%, other 5.7% (1999 census)
Religions:
Muslim 75%, Russian Orthodox 20%, other 5%
Languages:
Kyrgyz 64.7% (official), Uzbek 13.6%, Russian 12.5% (official),
Dungun 1%, other 8.2% (1999 census)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 98.7%
male: 99.3%
female: 98.1% (1999 census)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 13 years
male: 12 years
female: 13 years (2008)
Education expenditures:
6.6% of GDP (2007)
country comparison to the world: 29
Government ::Kyrgyzstan
Country name:
conventional long form: Kyrgyz Republic
conventional short form: Kyrgyzstan
local long form: Kyrgyz Respublikasy
local short form: Kyrgyzstan
former: Kirghiz Soviet Socialist Republic
Government type:
republic
Capital:
name: Bishkek
geographic coordinates: 42 52 N, 74 36 E
time difference: UTC+6 (11 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
7 provinces (oblastlar, singular - oblasty) and 1 city* (shaar);
Batken Oblasty, Bishkek Shaary*, Chuy Oblasty (Bishkek), Jalal-Abad
Oblasty, Naryn Oblasty, Osh Oblasty, Talas Oblasty, Ysyk-Kol Oblasty
(Karakol)
note: administrative divisions have the same names as their
administrative centers (exceptions have the administrative center
name following in parentheses)
Independence:
31 August 1991 (from the Soviet Union)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 31 August (1991)
Constitution:
27 June 2010
Legal system:
based on French and Russian laws; has not accepted compulsory ICJ
jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Roza OTUNBAEVA (since 19 May 2010); note -
OTUNBAEVA became acting president on 7 April 2010 following the
early April 2010 riots that overthrew President Kurmanbek BAKIEV;
she was appointed president through 31 December 2011 by a 19 May
2010 decree of the provisional government, which also prohibited her
from running in the next presidential election; she was officially
sworn in on 3 July 2010
head of government: Prime Minister Almazbek ATAMBAEV (since 17
December 2010); First Deputy Prime Minister - Omurbek BABANOV (since
17 December 2010); Deputy Prime Ministers - Shamil ATAKHANOV,
Ibragim JUNUSOV, Jantoro SATYBALDIEV (since 17 December 2010)
cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers proposed by the prime minister,
appointed by the president; ministers in charge of defense and
security, are appointed solely by the president
(For more information visit the World Leaders website )
elections: Kurmanbek BAKIEV reelected by popular vote for a
five-year term; election last held on 23 July 2009 (next scheduled
for 2011); prime minister nominated by the parliamentary party
holding more than 50% of the seats; if no such party exists, the
president selects the party that will form a coalition majority and
government
election results: Kurmanbek BAKIEV elected president; percent of
vote - Kurmanbek BAKIEV 76.1%, Almaz ATAMBAEV 8.4%, Temir SARIEV
6.7%, other candidates 8.8%
Legislative branch:
unicameral Supreme Council or Jogorku Kengesh (120 seats; members
elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: last held on 10 October 2007 (next to be held in 2015)
election results: Supreme Council - percent of vote by party - NA;
seats by party - Ata-Jurt 28, SDPK 26, Ar-Namys 25, Respublika 23,
Ata-Meken 18
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court; Constitutional Court (judges of both the Supreme and
Constitutional Courts are appointed for 10-year terms by the Jogorku
Kengesh on the recommendation of the president; their mandatory
retirement age is 70 years); Higher Court of Arbitration; Local
Courts (judges appointed by the president on the recommendation of
the National Council on Legal Affairs for a probationary period of
five years, then 10 years)
Political parties and leaders:
Ar-Namys (Dignity) Party [Feliks KULOV]; Ata-Jurt (Homeland)
[Kamchybek TASHIEV, Akhmat KELDIBEKOV]; Ata-Meken (Fatherland)
[Omurbek TEKEBAEV]; Butun Kyrgyzstan (All Kyrgyzstan) [Adakhan
MADUMAROV, Miroslav NIYAZOV]; Respublika [Omurbek BABANOV];
Social-Democratic Party of Kyrgyzstan (SDPK) [Almazbek ATAMBAEV]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Adilet Legal Clinic [Cholpon JAKUPOVA]; Coalition for Democracy and
Civil Society [Dinara OSHURAKHUNOVA]; Interbilim [Asiya SASYKBAEVA]
International organization participation:
ADB, CICA, CIS, CSTO, EAEC, EAPC, EBRD, ECO, FAO, GCTU, IAEA, IBRD,
ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC,
IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, MIGA, NAM (observer), OIC,
OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, SCO, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS,
UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Mukhtar JUMALIEV
chancery: 2360 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 449-9822
FAX: [1] (202) 386-7550
consulate(s): New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Tatiana GFOELLER
embassy: 171 Prospect Mira, Bishkek 720016
mailing address: use embassy street address
telephone: [996] (312) 551-241, (517) 777-217
FAX: [996] (312) 551-264
Flag description:
red field with a yellow sun in the center having 40 rays
representing the 40 Kyrgyz tribes; on the obverse side the rays run
counterclockwise, on the reverse, clockwise; in the center of the
sun is a red ring crossed by two sets of three lines, a stylized
representation of a "tunduk" - the crown of a traditional Kyrgyz
yurt; red symbolizes bravery and valor, the sun evinces peace and
wealth
National anthem:
name: "Kyrgyz Respublikasynyn Mamlekettik Gimni" (National Anthem of
the Kyrgyz Republic)
lyrics/music: Djamil SADYKOV and Eshmambet KULUEV/Nasyr DAVLESOV and
Kalyi MOLDOBASANOV
note: adopted 1992
Economy ::Kyrgyzstan
Economy - overview:
Kyrgyzstan is a poor, mountainous country with a dominant
agricultural sector. Cotton, tobacco, wool, and meat are the main
agricultural products, although only tobacco and cotton are exported
in any quantity. Industrial exports include gold, mercury, uranium,
natural gas, and electricity. The economy depends heavily on gold
exports - mainly from output at the Kumtor gold mine. Following
independence, Kyrgyzstan was progressive in carrying out market
reforms, such as an improved regulatory system and land reform.
Kyrgyzstan was the first Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS)
country to be accepted into the World Trade Organization. Much of
the government's stock in enterprises has been sold. Drops in
production had been severe after the breakup of the Soviet Union in
December 1991, but by mid-1995, production began to recover and
exports began to increase. In 2005, the BAKIEV government and
international financial institutions initiated a comprehensive
medium-term poverty reduction and economic growth strategy. Bishkek
agreed to pursue much needed tax reform and, in 2006, became
eligible for the heavily indebted poor countries (HIPC) initiative.
The government made steady strides in controlling its substantial
fiscal deficit, nearly closing the gap between revenues and
expenditures in 2006, before boosting expenditures more than 20% in
2007-08. GDP grew about 8% annually in 2007-08, partly due to higher
gold prices internationally, but slowed to 2.3% in 2009. The
overthrow of President BAKIEV in April, 2010 and subsequent ethnic
clashes left hundreds dead and damaged infrastructure. Shrinking
trade and agricultural production, as well as political instability,
caused GDP to contract about 3.5% in 2010. The fiscal deficit
widened to 12% of GDP, reflecting significant increases in
crisis-related spending, including both rehabilitation of damaged
infrastructure and bank recapitalization. Progress in
reconstruction, fighting corruption, restructuring domestic
industry, and attracting foreign aid and investment are key to
future growth.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$11.85 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 143
$12.28 billion (2009 est.)
$12 billion (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$4.444 billion (2010 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
-3.5% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 209
2.3% (2009 est.)
8.4% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$2,200 (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 184
$2,300 (2009 est.)
$2,200 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 24.6%
industry: 25%
services: 50.4% (2010 est.)
Labor force:
2.344 million (2007)
country comparison to the world: 111
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 48%
industry: 12.5%
services: 39.5% (2005 est.)
Unemployment rate:
18% (2004 est.)
country comparison to the world: 161
Population below poverty line:
40% (2004 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 3.6%
highest 10%: 25.9% (2004)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
30.3 (2003)
country comparison to the world: 111
29 (2001)
Investment (gross fixed):
26.4% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 35
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
4.8% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 139
6.9% (2009 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
9.07% (31 December 2009)
country comparison to the world: 18
15.11% (31 December 2008)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
23.03% (31 December 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 19
19.86% (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$714.9 million (31 December 2010 est)
country comparison to the world: 148
$826.4 million (31 December 2009 est)
Stock of broad money:
$1.1 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 158
$1.247 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of domestic credit:
$505.4 million (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 163
$572.9 million (31 December 2009 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$71.84 million (31 December 2009)
country comparison to the world: 112
$93.79 million (31 December 2008)
$121 million (31 December 2007)
Agriculture - products:
tobacco, cotton, potatoes, vegetables, grapes, fruits and berries;
sheep, goats, cattle, wool
Industries:
small machinery, textiles, food processing, cement, shoes, sawn
logs, refrigerators, furniture, electric motors, gold, rare earth
metals
Industrial production growth rate:
6% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 55
Electricity - production:
15.96 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 77
Electricity - consumption:
9 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 90
Electricity - exports:
2.379 billion kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
979 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 106
Oil - consumption:
15,000 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 138
Oil - exports:
1,890 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 116
Oil - imports:
12,850 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 133
Oil - proved reserves:
40 million bbl (1 January 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 80
Natural gas - production:
30 million cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 85
Natural gas - consumption:
750 million cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 91
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 77
Natural gas - imports:
720 million cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 57
Natural gas - proved reserves:
5.663 billion cu m (1 January 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 90
Current account balance:
-$210 million (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 89
$184 million (2009 est.)
Exports:
$1.682 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 135
$1.726 billion (2009 est.)
Exports - commodities:
cotton, wool, meat, tobacco; gold, mercury, uranium, natural gas,
hydropower; machinery; shoes
Exports - partners:
Switzerland 25.96%, Russia 25.88%, Uzbekistan 15.72%, Kazakhstan
12.47% (2009)
Imports:
$3.075 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 139
$2.987 billion (2009 est.)
Imports - commodities:
oil and gas, machinery and equipment, chemicals, foodstuffs
Imports - partners:
China 57.03%, Russia 19.34%, Kazakhstan 5.9% (2009)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$1.615 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 103
$1.585 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Debt - external:
$3.738 billion (30 June 2010)
country comparison to the world: 119
$3.467 billion (31 December 2008)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$NA (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$NA
Exchange rates:
soms (KGS) per US dollar - 46.337 (2010), 42.905 (2009), 36.108
(2008), 37.746 (2007), 40.149 (2006)
Communications ::Kyrgyzstan
Telephones - main lines in use:
498,300 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 97
Telephones - mobile cellular:
4.487 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 100
Telephone system:
general assessment: telecommunications infrastructure is being
upgraded; loans from the European Bank for Reconstruction and
Development (EBRD) are being used to install a digital network,
digital radio-relay stations, and fiber-optic links
domestic: fixed-line penetration remains low and concentrated in
urban areas; multiple mobile-cellular service providers with growing
coverage; mobile-cellular subscribership exceeded 80 per 100 persons
in 2009
international: country code - 996; connections with other CIS
countries by landline or microwave radio relay and with other
countries by leased connections with Moscow international gateway
switch and by satellite; satellite earth stations - 2 (1
Intersputnik, 1 Intelsat); connected internationally by the
Trans-Asia-Europe (TAE) fiber-optic line
Broadcast media:
state-run television broadcaster operates 2 nationwide networks and
6 regional stations; roughly 20 private TV stations operating with
most rebroadcasting other channels; state-run radio broadcaster
operates 2 networks; about 20 private radio stations operating (2007)
Internet country code:
.kg
Internet hosts:
97,976 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 78
Internet users:
2.195 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 74
Transportation ::Kyrgyzstan
Airports:
28 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 119
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 18
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 3
1,524 to 2,437 m: 11
under 914 m: 3 (2010)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 10
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 8 (2010)
Pipelines: