A Little About The Kyrgyz Republic...

Today's post is just a brief history and geography lesson! When I received my invitation to the Kyrgyz Republic, I honestly had no idea where it was and I had only vaguely heard of the country. It appears that I am not alone! So, here's a little bit about the country that I will be in for the next two years!

THE KYRGYZ REPUBLIC:

Better known as Kyrgyzstan, the country is bordered by Kazakhstan to the north, China to the east, Tajikistan to the south, and Uzbekistan to the west. The capital, Bishkek, is also the largest city and is located in the north of the country. 

Previously a part of the Soviet Union, it gained its independence in 1991. Approximately 5.7 million people of different ethnicities make up the country. 72% are ethnic Kyrgyz, 14% are Uzbeks, 6% are Russian, 1% are Dungan, and the remaining 5% are others. With Kyrgyz and Russian as the official languages, three-fourths of the country speak Kyrgyz, which is a Turkic language and uses the Cyrillic alphabet. Uzbek and Russian are the two next most spoken languages in the country, with Russian more common in the larger cities and in the northern parts of the country. 

Kyrgyz diet mainly consists of meat (goat) and a more limited availability of vegetables (potatoes, tomatoes, cabbages, carrots and onions). Dried fruits, beans, rice, bread and pasta are also widely found in the country throughout the seasons. 

Now, you know (for the most part) where Kyrgyzstan is, what language they speak, and what foods they eat! I hope that close friends and families can relax a little, now that they know more about where I am going! 

Blessings and have a wonderful day!