| Geography and Climate |
Kyrgyzstan is a landlocked country, located in Central Asia, west of China. Area comparatively slightly smaller than South Dakota. Total land boundary is 3,878 km, border countries are China 858 km, Kazakhstan 1,051 km, Tajikistan 870 km, Uzbekistan 1,099 km.
Climate is dry continental to polar in high Tien Shan; subtropical in southwest (Fergana Valley); temperate in northern foothill zone. Terrain consists of peaks of Tien Shan and associated valleys and basins encompass entire nation. Elevation extreme has the lowest point in Kara-Darya 132 m and highest point in Jengish Chokusu (Pik Pobedy) 7,439 m. Natural resources are abundant hydroelectric potential; significant deposits of gold and rare earth metals; locally exploitable coal, oil, and natural gas; other deposits of nepheline, mercury, bismuth, lead, and zinc. Land use: arable land: 7%, permanent crops: 0%, permanent pastures: 44%, forests and woodland: 4%, other: 45% (1993 est.).
note: Kyrgyzstan has the world's largest natural growth walnut forest
Environment—current issues: water pollution; many people get their water directly from contaminated streams and wells; as a result, water-borne diseases are prevalent; increasing soil salinity from faulty irrigation practices
Ref. Anonymous, 1999 |