Kyrgyzstan's economy has some some strengths
and many weaknesses. One of their strengths are its mineral resources, especially
mercury and gold. They have agricultural self-sufficiency and also have large
hydroelectric power potential, emphasis on potential. Their agricultural
based economy causes many probles. Their economy has declined since the 1991
breakup of the USSR, whom they depended totally for trade and supplies. Astoundingly,
their inflation a high in mid-1993 at an alarming rate of 1,500% per year.
The population of Kyrgyzstan is approximately
4, 553,000 people (1992 est.). The area of Kyrgyzstan is about 198,500 square
kilometers (76,600 square miles). Kyrgyzstan is located in central Asia in the
Tien Shan Mountains. Kazakhstan borders it on the north, Uzbekistan on the west,
Tajikistan on the southwest, and China on the southeast. The ethnic groups in
Kyrgyzstan are mainly Kyrgyz, Russian, and Uzbek. Smaller minorities of the
republic are Ukranian, German, and Tatar. The main languages spoken are
Kyrgyz and Russian. Almost all of the people follow the Islamic religion. Their
government is classified as an independent republic.
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