Location Central Asia, west of China

Geographic coordinates 41 00 N, 75 00 E

Map references Commonwealth of Independent States

Area
total: 198,500 sq km
land: 191,300 sq km
water: 7,200 sq km

Area - comparative slightly smaller than South Dakota

Land boundaries
total: 3,878 km
border countries: China 858 km, Kazakhstan 1,051 km, Tajikistan 870 km, Uzbekistan 1,099 km

Coastline 0 km (landlocked)

Maritime claims none (landlocked)

Climate dry continental to polar in high Tien Shan; subtropical in southwest (Fergana Valley); temperate in northern foothill zone

Terrain peaks of Tien Shan and associated valleys and basins encompass entire nation

Elevation extremes
lowest point: Kara-Darya 132 m
highest point: Jengish Chokusu (Pik Pobedy) 7,439 m

Natural resources 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

Irrigated land 9,000 sq km (1993 est.)

Natural hazards NA

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

Environment - international agreements
party to: Biodiversity, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note landlocked

NOTE: The information regarding Kyrgyzstan on this page is re-published from the 1998 World Fact Book of the United States Central Intelligence Agency. No claims are made regarding the accuracy of Kyrgyzstan Geography 1998 information contained here. All suggestions for corrections of any errors about Kyrgyzstan Geography 1998 should be addressed to the CIA.