Central Asia, north of Afghanistan and Tajikistan.

GMT + 6.

199,900 sq km (77,182 sq miles).

5.4 million (2008).

25.3 per sq km.

Bishkek (called Frunze from 1926 to 1991). Population: 824,900 (2008).

The landlocked nation of Kyrgyzstan is bordered by Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and China. The majestic Tien Shan (Heavenly Mountains) range occupies the greater part of the area and it, along with other valleys, makes up the whole country. The highest peak in Kyrgyzstan is Pik Pobedy at 7,439m (24,406ft) and the lowest point is Kara-Daryya at 132m (433ft). The differences in climate are equally extreme, ranging from dry continental to polar in high Tien Shan, from subtropical in the southwest to temperate in the northern foothill zone.

Republic. Gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.

President Kurmanbek Bakiyev since 2005.

Prime Minister Igor Chundinov since 2007.

In July 2005 Kurmanbek Bakiyev won a landslide presidential victory, ousting Askar Akayev after demonstrations against alleged party interference in elections and high levels of poverty. Manas International Airport was used by the US military until January 2009 when Bakiyev terminated the agreement. At the same time Kyrgyzstan accepted US$2 billion of financial help from Russia.

The official language is Kyrgyz, a Turkic language closely related to Uzbek, Kazakh, Turkmen and Turkish. Any attempt by a foreigner to speak Kyrgyz will be greatly appreciated. In deference to the large Russian population of Kyrgyzstan, Russian is also protected under law. In 1993, the government undertook to replace the Russian Cyrillic Alphabet with the Turkish version of the Roman alphabet. Meanwhile, most people can speak Russian, and do so, especially in the north. English is widely spoken by those involved in tourism. Uzbek, Kazakh, Tajik and various other regional languages and dialects are also spoken.

The major religion is Islam with the majority of Kyrgyz being Sunni Muslim with Christian and Russian Orthodox minorities.

220 volts AC, 50Hz. Round two-pin continental plugs are standard.