Map:

Overview:
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, expansion of democracy and political freedoms, interethnic relations, and combating terrorism.

The People:
Population: 5,146,281 (July 2005 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 31.6% (male 827,751/female 796,029)
15-64 years: 62.3% (male 1,571,476/female 1,632,506)
65 years and over: 6.2% (male 123,992/female 194,527) (2005 est.)

Religions:
Muslim 75%, Russian Orthodox 20%, other 5%

Government Type:
republic

Leader(s) to pray for:
chief of state: Acting President Kurmanbek BAKIYEV; note - since 24 March 2005; former President Askar AKAYEV resigned effective 11 April 2005 following widespread protests that forced him to flee the country on 24 March 2005
head of government: Acting Prime Minister Medetbek KERIMKULOV (since 20 June 2005)

Source: The World Factbook

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