Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan is a landlocked country that became independent with the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.

Where is Kyrgyzstan?

It is bounded by Kazakhstan on the northwest and north, by China on the east and south, and by Tajikistan and Uzbekistan on the south and west.

How many people live in Kyrgyzstan?

Based on national census conducted ion 2019, the population is estimated at 6.4 million people. The people of Kyrgyzstan identifies them self as Kyrgyz. They consists of 73% of the population. Uzbek consists of 15% of the population , Russians consists of 5% of the population and the minorities consists of 7% of the population.

What are the most common languages in Kyrgyzstan?

Kyrgyz is the most widely spoken language in Kyrgyzstan. The language is a Turkic language belonging to the Kipchak branch.

What is the most common religion in Kyrgyzstan?

Sunni Muslims make up about 83% of the population of Kyrgyzstan, followed by Christians at 15%.2% of the population are Buddhist or Jewish.

What is the sport of Kyrgyzstan?

Kok Boru literally translated to Dead Goat Polo is national sport of Kyrgyzstan. The game originated from men hunting down the grey wolves that were killing their herds in the mountains. They would kill the wolf and play with its carcass by trying to take it from each other on their way back to the village. The man who could throw the dead wolf into the elder’s yurt upon arrival, would be the winner and gain the respect of his peers.

Kok Boru is played by two teams. The goal is to pick up the goat carcass from the ground, race it across the field and toss it into the center of the kazan, a ring of tires functioning as a goal. Each team has their own kazan, one at either end of the field. Every time the carcass is thrown into the kazan, the team scores a point.

What are some important sites?

Tash Rabat

Tash Rabat - It is called Таш Рабат in the natives tounge. It is a well preserved historic stone caravanserai (roadside inn) that were used by merchants and their caravans on the ancient Silk Road to stop for the night or a few days to rest before continuing their journey. It is built from hefty stone forming a single structure that looks like a blend between a castle and a temple.

Burana Tower

Burana Tower - It was built in the 11th century, and was once part of a flourishing Silk Road city called Balasaghunwhich was the capital of the Karakhanid Empire in the 9th century. Originally, the minaret stood at 45 m tall, but an earthquake in the 15th century destroyed the upper half of the tower, and it now tops out at 24m. The tower leans ever so slightly to one side like many monumental brick constructions from this era. The tower was restored in the early 20th century, and again in 1970, after locals stripped some of the bricks for use in their own construction projects.

		Wikijunior:Asia