According to thereligionfaqs, Kyrgyzstan is a multi-religious country, where the majority of the population is Muslim and there are also significant populations of Russian Orthodox Christians, as well as smaller numbers of followers of other religions. Islam is the main religion in Kyrgyzstan, with around 85% of the population identifying as Sunni Muslim. This has been the case since the region was conquered by the Arabs in 751 CE. The other 15% of the population follows either Russian Orthodoxy, which was introduced during Soviet rule or some form of folk religion. Buddhism, Judaism and other minority religions are also practiced in Kyrgyzstan, albeit on a much smaller scale. The Islamic faith has been deeply embedded into Kyrgyz culture for centuries; it influences many aspects of daily life and there are approximately 2,500 mosques throughout the country. The Muslims in Kyrgyzstan practice a moderate form of Islam that generally adheres to traditional Islamic values and beliefs but also allows for some flexibility when it comes to religious practices and observances. For example, Islamic holidays such as Eid al-Fitr are celebrated widely throughout Kyrgyzstan but so too are traditional Kyrgyz celebrations such as Nauryz (the New Year). In terms of Russian Orthodoxy, there is a significant presence in certain parts of the country due to its introduction during Soviet rule; however its influence is not as widespread as Islam’s. There are several churches scattered across Kyrgyzstan that serve both locals and visitors alike; however only about 5% percent identify themselves as Russian Orthodox Christians. Folk religions still have some influence in certain rural areas where traditional beliefs have been passed down from generation to generation; however these beliefs have become increasingly marginalized over time due to increased urbanization and modernization. In 2011, Kyrgyzstan was a Central Asian nation with a population of approximately 5.5 million people. Kyrgyzstan was bordered by Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and China and its capital city was Bishkek. The country had a mixed economy that relied heavily on agriculture, mining and remittances from citizens living abroad. In 2011, the estimated GDP per capita was $2,500 making it one of the poorest countries in the region at that time. The government of Kyrgyzstan consisted of a parliamentary democracy with the president being elected by popular vote every five years. The educational system in Kyrgyzstan in 2011 was still developing compared to other Central Asian countries. Primary and secondary schools were free for citizens with an estimated literacy rate of 97 percent among adults aged 15-24 years old. University education was also free for citizens but there were very few universities available throughout the country due to limited resources. Most university students opted to pursue their studies abroad as scholarships from foreign universities were much easier to obtain than those from local universities due to the limited number of local scholarships available at that time. The healthcare system in 2011 provided basic medical care for citizens but lacked many modern treatments and technologies found in developed countries due to limited resources and lack of investment in health infrastructure by the government over previous decades. There were public hospitals available throughout the country but they mostly lacked modern equipment and medicines needed for more complicated medical procedures such as surgeries or cancer treatments. In addition to these public health systems, there were numerous private clinics that provided higher quality medical care than what could be found in public hospitals but at much higher costs than what could be found abroad. Check physicscat for Kyrgyzstan in 2013.
Kyrgyzstan – the former “Switzerland of Asia” The Central Asian country of Kyrgyzstan – often referred to as Kyrgyzstan or Kyrgyzstan – only gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. Many Kyrgyz lived as nomads well into the 20th century, which explains the rare Kyrgyz history of architecture and monuments. However, the Kyrgyz are […]
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Attractions Osh and Uzgen Osh, Kyrgyzstan’s second largest city, lies to the south on the Uzbek border. Since the 10th century, pilgrims have been coming to Suleiman Gora, a hill in the center of the city where, according to legend, the Prophet once prayed. The local history museum and the bazaar are also worth a detour. North of […]
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If you want to fill your holiday with hikes in dizzyingly beautiful mountain landscapes, take part in fascinating history of the Silk Road and visit traditional nomads, head to Kyrgyzstan. You are guaranteed not to share your experiences with hordes of other visitors. In return, you get genuine hospitality from a people who love to […]
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