Kyrgyzstan

Population: 4,753,003 (July 2001 est.)

Languages: Kirghiz (Kyrgyz) - official language, Russian - official language

Background: A Central Asian country of incredible natural beauty and proud nomadic traditions, Kyrgyzstan was annexed by Russia in 1864; it achieved independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. Current concerns include: privatization of state-owned enterprises...

Currency: Kyrgyzstani som (KGS, No information)

Data from CIA World Factbook. Click on CIA link for more. Click on map or flag for larger images.