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Geography of Kyrgyzstan

This article describes the geography of Kyrgyzstan.

Location:

Central Asia, west of China

Geographic coordinates:

41° 00′ N, 75° 00′ E

Area:

• Total: 198,500 km²
• Land: 191,300 km²
• Water: 7,200 km²

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 (hydropower; 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 km² (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 Biodiversity, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes

• Signed, but not ratified: None of the selected agreements

Geography--note:

Landlocked

See also: Kyrgyzstan