Page 38 - ISIE Project

TRIP TO KYrGYZSTAN

It's Emmanuel with ISIE, and am back with
my second trip outside of Africa. In my search
for a country to visit, I decided to try something
different, not the norm. After a long search, I
came across a country in central Asia have not
heard of before; Kyrgyzstan. Immediately, I was
intrigued. I spoke to the Directors, and all they
said was; let's see what happens. Some few
weeks later, I was called that I would be going
on the trip to Kyrgyzstan. And guess what? I
won't be going alone. Mr. Vincent would be
accompanying me on the trip. All thanks to the
Directors.

quick facts about ethiopia

Ÿ Kyrgyzstan (officially the Kyrgyz Republic) is a South-Central Asian Union country of

incredible natural beauty and proud nomadic traditions.
Ÿ Landlocked and mountainous, it borders Kazakhstan to the north, Uzbekistan to the
west, Tajikistan to the southwest and China to the southeast. What would become
modern Kyrgyzstan was annexed by Russia in 1876 and became an independent
country with the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. It has the most liberal tourist

visa policy in Central Asia and one of the more progressive post-Soviet governments
in the region.
Ÿ There are just 29.5 residents for each square kilometre of land – making Kyrgyzstan

one of the world's least crowded countries.
Ÿ There are over 88 major mountain ranges in Kyrgyzstan, making up about more than
80 percent of the country's territory. Kyrgyzstan is the “Switzerland of Central Asia.” Its
highest point is Jengish Chokusu, at 7,439 m (24,406 ft).
Ÿ Kyrgyzstan is one of 45 landlocked countries but does have the consolation of Issyk-

Kul, the world's second largest high-altitude lake (behind Titicaca in South America).
It is 113 miles long, 37 miles wide and reaches a depth of 668 metres (2,192 feet). The
lake was a popular holiday resort during the Soviet era.

Ÿ Kyrgyzstan has the lengthiest epic in the world. “Manas” a Kyrgyz epic poem with
500,000 lines.
Ÿ The most famous national drink is horse milk “kumyz.”
Ÿ People in Kyrgyzstan love tea. It is like a replacement for water here, and you drink
tea with pretty much every meal.

Ÿ The vast majority of people in Kyrgyzstan are Sunni Muslims. However, you don't see
apparent signs of Islam while walking down the streets of Bishkek, partly due to its
Soviet history.