The Kyrgyz Republic
 Economic
Overview
- Major Natural Resources - Gold, mercury, uranium,
antimony, and hydroelectric power generation.
- Major Industries - Mining, machinery and
metalworking, tobacco and food processing, textiles, and tanning.
- Chief Agricultural Crops - Cotton, tobacco, fruits
and berries, grains, meat, and wool.
- Convertibility - The som is fully convertible into
U.S. dollars and other major international currencies through foreign
exchange auctions conducted by the National Bank.
Political System
A President, Prime Minister, and National Legislature lead the
Kyrgyz Republic. The President appoints the Prime Minister, who then
forms the legislation body. A new constitution was formally adopted in
1993.
History and Customs
The origins of the Kyrgyz Republic date from the 7th century, when a
nomadic Kyrgyz tribe ruled the country. The country was overtaken by
Russia in 1864 and returned to autonomy (but not full independence) in
1917, after the Bolshevik revolution. The Kyrgyz people lost their goal
of full independence when the Bolsheviks overcame them in 1921. The
Kara-Kyrgyz autonomous area, as it was known, became a political region
within the Soviet Union in 1926, and a constituent republic in 1936.
The Kyrgyz Republic finally gained full independence in 1991 and Mr.
Askar Akayev was elected President. President Akayev continues to serve
as President and was re-elected in 2000; The Kyrgyz people represent
approximately 58.6% of the country's population, with Russians (17.1%)
and Uzbeks (13.8%) the predominant minorities.
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